Sli, 29, is a music tutor from Durban, but grew up on the outskirts of Hibberdeen in KZN. When she moved to Durban after Matric, she did odd jobs and studied accounting – her dad’s wish – before dropping out to study music. Her dad was unimpressed, seeing music as a hobby rather than a profession, and initially he was right: she struggled to pay her bills and considered walking away from music forever. But now, “When they [her parents] see me on this show, it’s gonna change a lot.” She follows it up by saying, “Music is something that makes me a better person – it’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”