PICTURE: INSTAGRAM/ MIA LE ROUX
The reigning Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux who is the first title holder that is hard of hearing recently addressed her experience with music.
This is after the black carpet host of Metro FM Music Awards, Mpumi Mlambo asked her her favourite artist, and she said “Within the music industry I don’t have a favourite South African artist as I am deaf, so I do not listen to music leading to an online scrutiny.
Mia took to her Instagram page to issue a statement addressing the online conversations, 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,” she penned.
Going back to the question she was asked by Mpumi, Mia candidly said in response: “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.”
Mia was diagnosed with profound hearing loss as a toddler, and relies on a cochlear implant to help her perceive sound.
Also see: Mia le Roux’s Ndebele inspired national costume reveal draws mixed reactions
