Oratile Masedi Mashego (born 2003) known professionally as Coachella Randy, is a South African influencer and television personality. He is best known as a starring cast on the YouTube famous reality show Birth of Stars.
Coachella Randy | |
|---|---|
| Born | Oratile Masedi Mashego 2003 (age 22–23) Mamelodi, South Africa |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 2020–present |
| Mother | Vinolia Mashego |
Early life
editMasedi was born in 2003, in Mamelodi, Pretoria, South Africa.[1] He grew up in a household that was involved in South African entertainment history and he is the son of the iconic Jam Alley host Vinolia Mashego and the grandson of producer Collins Mashego.[2][3] He adopted the nickname "Randy" from his grandfather at a young age and later added "Coachella" as a tribute to Beyoncé's 2018 performance.[4] He used his family's legacy to build his own career as a digital creator after his mother's passing in 2020.[5][6]
Career
editMasedi began his career in 2020 as a social media content creator where he gained recognition for his comedic skits, fashion and lifestyle content.[7][8] His online presence led to his casting in the YouTube reality series Birth of Stars alongside Kamo WW and Kagiso Mogola in 2022, which focused on queer identity and storytelling.[9][10] The show boosted his profile and established him into a notable digital creator.[11][12] In 2024, he won the Trendsetter Award at the DStv Content Creator Awards.[13] He collaborated Coca-Cola South Africa, where he was featured as part of the 2024 Coke Studio influencer squad to promote the brand’s campaign.[14]
In 2025, Masedi won the Social Media Personality of the Year award at the South African Social Media Awards and dedicated the award to his late mother and his supporters.[15][16]
Public image
editMasedi is defined by bold fashion and widely recognised as an openly LGBTQ digital personality in South Africa.[7][11] He is known for embracing a gender fluid style and using his platform to challenge norms while promoting visibility and acceptance for queer individuals.[8] Through his content and appearances, including on Birth of Stars, he has positioned himself as a voice for LGBTQ youth often highlightinh themes of identity.[9][10] His influence as both a trendsetter and advocate has been acknowledged within the digital space, including recognition at the DStv Content Creator Awards and South African Social Media Awards.[12][13]
Personal life
editMasedi identify as a queer, and uses he/him pronouns.[17][18] He is the son of the late South African television presenter and actress, Vinolia "V-Mash" Mashego.[19]
Filmography
edit| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022–2023 | Birth of Stars | Himself | Main role |
| 2022 | Skeem Saam | Himself | Recurring role |
References
edit- ↑ Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo (2025-11-25). "Iyo bangane iyohh: Vmash's son wins big!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ Bambalele, Patience (2020-11-06). "V-mash's boy oozes energy, hilarity on stage". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ Nyhaba, Theo (2024-09-05). "V-Mash's father loses battle to cancer". Zimoja. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ "Coachella Randy stamping his authority via social media". Sowetan. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ Modise, Kedibone (2021-04-08). "Vinolia Mashego's son Oratile pays a moving tribute to mom one year after her passing". IOL. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ Modise, Kedibone (2021-05-19). "'V - Mash's son Oratile pays tribute to late mom one year since her death". Glamour. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- 1 2 Ramalepe, Phumi (2024-10-18). "Fashion, fun and an inspiring legacy: Digital star Coachella Randy's trailblazing journey". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 "Coachella Randy stamping his authority via social media". Sowetan. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 Maako, Keitumetse (2022-08-09). "New LGBTQI+ reality show aiming to touch lives of queer people coming soon". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 Masuku, Ditiro (2022-08-11). "Kamo, Kagiso, and Coachella Randy get real with YouTube reality show, Birth of Stars". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 "Coachella Randy and two budding stars launch YouTube reality show". TimesLIVE. 2022-07-07. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 Khulu, Ntombi (2025-06-25). "Entertainment royalty: Coachella Randy talks being intentional about his impact". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- 1 2 Ramalepe, Phumi (2024-10-14). "From Coachella Randy to Grace Mondlana, all the big winners at the 2024 DStv Content Creator Awards". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ↑ Mazibuko, Thobile (2024-06-14). "Meet the young South African fashion and beauty content creators making a noise in the industry". IOL. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ↑ Ramalepe, Phumi (2025-11-24). "Coachella Randy turns SASMA win into a moving tribute to mom, fans and GBV survivors". News24. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ↑ Tlhoaele, Kgalalelo (2025-11-25). "Iyo bangane iyohh: Vmash's son wins big!". Daily Sun. Retrieved 2026-03-27.
- ↑ Andrews, Cullan (2023-02-23). "Queer TikTok LGBTQ+ South Africans making it big on TikTok". MambaOnline. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ Seemela, Masego (2022-08-10). "Birth of Stars trio aims to show queer youth to live boldly". Sowetan. Retrieved 2026-03-28.
- ↑ "Coachella Randy wants his career to keep his late mom V-Mash's legacy alive". TimesLIVE. 2022-07-04. Retrieved 2026-03-28.