Trevor Noah before the celebrity lifestyle, luxury watches and multimillion dollar homes – what was The Daily Show host’s life like in South Africa?

Sep 18 , 2020

Trevor Noah’s life has changed phenomenally over the past five years – but what was The Daily Show host’s life like back in South Africa? Photo: @trevornoah/Instagram

South African-born comedian Trevor Noah has enjoyed huge success since he took over at American late night satire programme The Daily Show, following the departure of long-time host Jon Stewart in 2015. In between offering incisive commentary on global politics and social issues, Noah published his autobiography and New York Times bestseller Born a Crime: Stories from a South African Childhood and released hit Netflix comedy special Trevor Noah: Son of Patricia, cementing his position as a leading figure in the cutthroat television industry.

Trevor Noah hanging out with celebrity friends. Photo: @trevornoah/Instagram

His celebrity status has lead to a lifestyle of fine watches, a multimillion-dollar home, a rumoured relationship with model and actress Minka Kelly, and IG-documented social events with other famous names like Jamie Foxx and Olivia Munn.

But what about Noah’s life in South Africa before he became world-famous? Here are five things we know about Noah pre-Daily Show.

He had a cameo in a local soap opera

Noah cut his teeth with a cameo role in South African soap Isidingo at age 18, building a name for himself in his home country by co-hosting celebrity lifestyle show The Real Goboza and heading up his own radio show Noah’s Ark on local station YFM.

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The boy can dance

Noah showed off his dance skills in South Africa’s version of competitive celebrity dance show Strictly Come Dancing. His samba and tango moves saw him placing second in the fourth season – although he later commented that he considered himself better at ballroom over Latin dancing.

He picked up odd jobs

According to Noah’s autobiography, he had a stint selling pirated CDs before his television and radio career kicked off. He also spun tunes at street parties in Alexandra, a township in Johannesburg.

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He was – and is – tight with his granny

When Noah gave a tour of the house he grew up in Soweto, South Africa’s largest township, on The Daily Show in 2018, he interviewed his grandmother Nomalizo Frances Noah who brought Noah up along with his mother Patricia. She recounted what life was like under Apartheid for Noah as a mixed-race child in a country where interracial relationships were banned. People apparently used to run away from Noah as a toddler because they thought he was white and Nomalizo often feared that the Apartheid police would take him away.

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He formed close friendships in South Africa

Despite the new-found fame and wealth, Noah remains closest with his friends from back home: Sizwe Dhlomo, Anele Mdoda, Khaya Dlanga and Xolisa Dyeshana. Noah regularly celebrates his South African squad on his social media accounts.

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Fame and celebrity

Before The Daily Show, hit Netflix special Son of Patricia and bestselling autobiography Born a Crime, South African-born comedian Trevor Noah struggled with life during Apartheid, appeared on local TV shows, and even sold pirated CDs to make a living