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