Miss SA Mia Le Roux addresses online conversation about her experience with music

Miss South Africa 2024 Mia Le Roux attended the Metro FM Music Awards, where she made a red-carpet appearance.

During her interview on SABC1’s black carpet program for the music awards, she was asked by presenter Mpumi Mlambo who's her favourite artist. Her answer and the question itself opened up a huge online discussion.

In a statement, Le Roux addressed the online talk that has been happening since the awards took place on May 3, revealing that this is one of her “biggest insecurities.”

“Within the deaf community, everyone experiences music differently. Some perform entire songs in South African Sign Language (SASL). Others feel music through rhythm and vibration.

“Some dance by counting beats. There are Deaf musicians and artists which I am in awe of, because I can imagine how much dedication it takes.”

Le Roux, responded when asked by Mlambo, "Within the music industry I don't have a favourite South African artists as I am deaf, so I do not listen to music."

Le Roux is the first deaf woman to be crowned Miss South Africa. She was diagnosed with profound hearing loss at the age of one and has a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound.

In her statement, she went on to explain her unique relationship with music. “I use cochlear implants which help me perceive sound - but I have nothing to compare it to, as I’ll never truly know what someone without a device hears.

“Growing up music was always something I tried to connect with - especially because of my family. I remember my dad playing “Love Gets Old” by Wouter Kellerman.

“I could see how it moved him. That memory stayed with me - not just because of the sound, but because of the emotion and meaning behind it. That’s what I connected to.”

Le Roux honestly shared how she often struggles with music and can’t always hear lyrics and some songs sound unclear to her and can’t confidently identify genres, artists, or instruments.

“At the Metro Awards when asked about my favourite artist or song, I didn't want to give a superficial answer or name an artist I couldn't fully appreciate in the the way they deserve. I was trying to be respectful - not evasive.

“My experience is my own and it does not represent the entire Deaf community as everyone is different.”

Le Roux’s interview sparked a lot of interest with many aiming at Mlambo for not preparing better, and her attendance at the music event but most agreed that is a lesson for everyone involved.

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