Lalla Hirayama is a Japanese-born South African dancer, actress, model, television presenter and voice artist best known for hosting a number of Vuzu shows, including Masters of Rhythm and V-Entertainment.
Born in Hiratsuka, Kanagawa-Ken, Japan, she moved to Australia and then to South Africa at an early age. She started her primary schooling at Fairways Primary.
In 2001 she taught hip hop, tap and modern dancing in Kagoshima, Japan.
In 2002 she returned to South Africa where she registered for High School education at The British International College where she was also involved with Dance training.

Fast forward a few years and she lands a key role as Felicia on the soapie Rhythm City. In 2010 she was appointed as the first continuity presenter of the free-to-air mobile TV platform Massiv TV. In 2011 she hosted the e.tv reality competition Tropika Island of Treasure 3 and the Vuzu reality competition Masters of Rhythm.
Lalla Hirayama speaks to Unathi about her dual heritage, career highs and lows and her new web series which is a tie between Japan and South Africa, highlighting the cultural affinity between the two nations.
Listen to the full conversation here:
Q&A
Birthday: 10 Feb
Any nicknames: Miss LA
A bit of background on your TV career: Presented links on Craz-E, hosted HIP-HOP Show called SHIZ NIZ.
Pet Hate: 2 cars driving in separate lanes at the same pace
Favourite food: Chocolate… not really food, huh?!
Favourite form of relaxation: Getting a massage and watching TV!
Favourite Tourism destination: Cape Town and Bali
Favourite hangout: Anywhere with Good company!
Favourite Movie: So many… let me see… Green Mile, Memoirs of a Geisha
Favourite TV programme: Zola 7, Shiz Niz, Mzansi Rides, 3 & A Half Men, Live, South Beach, Whoopi
Favourite actress – Local: Kim Engelbrecht and Brenda Nxoli from Home Affairs
Favourite actor – International: Sir Anthony Hopkins
Favourite music: Hip-Hop and R&B
Favourite person: My Mama, my Dad and my Man… and all my girlfriends
Best advice you received: Always be the first rate version of yourself instead of a second rate version of another
Worst advice you received: Stay away from the TV
Your source of inspiration: My Mother, My Past, and My Vision.
How do you keep in shape? I am a dancer and I love the Gym.
Favourite drink: Chai latte
How did you get into presenting? By accident
The best thing about being a presenter: Being in studio and in front of the camera.


