South Africa's Bella Alexandras is owning the world stage
Bella Alexandras is redefining what it means to be young, South African, and unstoppable.
Youth Month is a time to honour the bold, the brave, and the brilliantly ambitious spirits that have shaped, and continue to shape, our country.
If you’re looking for living proof that this generation of young South Africans isn’t here to play small, meet Bella Alexandras.
At just 15 years old, Alexandras has already ticked off a career wish list most people wouldn’t dare dream of.
Actress. Singer. Producer. Fashion designer. Cannes Film Festival attendee. High fashion model - and she’s just getting started.
We caught up with Alexandras fresh off her whirlwind Cannes experience to chat about her enormous (and slightly scary) dreams, and what it means to be a young South African making noise on a global stage.
For Alexandras, her South African roots aren’t just part of her backstory, they’re her superpower.
“South Africa is my heartbeat,” she says. “I carry our warmth, our rhythm, and our resilience into every room I walk into. It’s not just about representing my birthplace; it’s about bringing its energy into spaces that don’t always expect it. That makes me super proud.”
Whether it’s the French Riviera or a Hollywood red carpet, there’s a little piece of Mzansi with her in every moment.
While most of us are still trying to secure a decent LinkedIn profile pic, Alexandras was gracing international magazine pages in Cannes.
Yet, it took one unforgettable moment for her brilliant reality to hit her.
“When I saw myself in one of the magazines, and the beach behind me was the French Riviera, I literally whispered to myself, ‘You’re here, Bella. This is real.’ It wasn’t about the dress or the lights. It was the little girl in me realising she brought South Africa with her. That meant everything.”
Sure, Cannes looks glamorous on Instagram, but behind the scenes? It’s all hustle.
“Cannes taught me that I belong in the room, but I have to earn my place every single day. There will always be someone with more access than me. That’s just the real truth. But I can be the hardest working, and that’s mine to control.”
How does a 15-year-old with a CV like hers stay sane?
“My family. My dogs. And staying South African. We know how to laugh even in chaos.”
Aside from Hollywood blockbuster dreams, Alexandras’ passion project is something more meaningful.
“I would love to start a foundation that helps underprivileged youth in South Africa get access to the creative arts on an international scale. There’s so much raw talent back home, and I’d love to create something that helps bridge the gap between our local artists and the global stage.”
For every young South African dreaming about music stages, movie sets, runways, or studios, her message is simple:
“If I can do it, so can you. You don’t need to have it all figured out. The secret is: just start. Post the song. Write the script. Wear the outfit. Do the TikTok. Don’t worry about looking cringy. A lot of people will laugh at you when you start out, but those same ones will be your biggest fans later. The world isn’t waiting for perfect, it’s waiting for real. And we’ve got that in South Africa in full supply.”
This youth month, Alexandras' message to young South Africans is as bold as her career.
“You’re not crazy for dreaming big. Don’t be afraid to start messy. Be brave. There’s no one more powerful than a young South African who believes in their own story.”
Alexandras shared her meaning of ‘youth power’ in 2025, and she delivered a mic-drop worthy reply:
“Our voice is not the future. It’s now. It’s owning our space without asking for permission. It’s creating new blueprints where the old ones don’t fit us anymore. And it’s doing it all with fire and softness at the same time.”
From as young as she can remember, Bella has always aimed high, and her words to her younger self could be a mantra for every young dreamer:
“Stop trying to be less. One day the very thing that makes you ‘too much’ will be the reason they can’t take their eyes off you.”
ALSO READ: The SA youth that’s taking over the world
Bella Alexandras is proof that the world isn’t as far away as it seems, and that South African youth are not just the future; they’re the right-now.
So whatever it is you’ve been putting off, start it. Be bold. Be relentless and carry your Mzansi magic with you, wherever you go.
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