Since it was revealed that Mihlali Ndamase and businessman Leeroy Sidambe are dating, the beauty influencer has come under fire, with some calling her a homewrecker.

Mihlali finally addressed the backlash she’s received during an exclusive interview with Kaya FM on Monday. “There’s just been a lot of talk and I’m like since I’m the hot topic let me own it,” she told Dineo Ranaka and Sol Phenduka.

She goes on to say that “everyone is entitled to having their own opinions. That’s what you sign up for when you are in the public space. They are allowed to share and talk. “

Mihlali believes her work speaks for itself.

“I’m glad that I came into this space at a point where I was just about sharing my craft and that’s what it’s always been about. My personal life has nothing to do with my business.

“I don’t seek validation from people. Especially in that aspect. I really try and not let their opinions get to me and also, I feel like I’ve built a successful business at this point. Outside of all the noise and I’m just going to keep on going.”

On the negative publicity, she has received.

Sol Phenduka questioned Mihlali about the negative publicity she has received and how it has impacted her brand.

She believes it can have a negative impact to some extent.

“I do believe that there is to an extent. Because at the end of the day things that are said can have a bit of harm on your brand. But at the same time, it all depends on what you have established your brand on. Especially if your work speaks for itself and whatever it is that people are trying has nothing to do with how you’ve established your brand. Then it’s just going to be PR at the end.”

Mihlali has discussed this with the brands she works with, as there has been no wrongdoing on her part.

“I’ve had conversations with my brands and I haven’t done anything harmful at the end spoken ill of anything.

“Treat women better. Stop killing and stop abusing women, and stop raping women. There’s nothing wrong with consensual sex – you guys shame women for having consensual sex but at the same time you guys want to strip that away from women when it suits you. And I think respect women. Women are nurturers. They empower people and they give so much love so can you do the same for us.”

Leeroy Sidambe, her partner, has also released a statement confirming their divorce.

After months of attempting to make things work, he stated that he “took steps toward a separation” from his marriage and marital home.

“According to my understanding and conveyed by my lawyers, this meant that my estranged wife and I were free to live our lives as we saw fit. Free to move on in whatever manner we chose, as single individuals…”

Main Image Credit: Mihlali Instagram Account