Former Urban TV gossip critic Mary Luswata has admitted that she misses being on television, even though her years as an on-air personality came with significant personal and professional pressure.
Luswata became a recognizable television personality during the 2010s through gossip-focused shows where her outspoken commentary about musicians and other creatives frequently attracted criticism.
Looking back on that chapter of her career, Luswata says her love for television has never disappeared. However, she acknowledged that being an on-air personality — as well as the nature of the show itself — took a considerable toll on her.
“I miss TV because I love TV, but being an on-air personality took so much from me, and I think the nature of the show also took so much from me.”
She said she eventually reached a point where she had to move beyond her identity as an on-screen personality and explore other areas of the television industry.
According to Luswata, recovering from the mental stress associated with her television career took considerable time. She eventually began considering a rebrand and looking for a different way to remain connected to television.
That transition eventually led her into production.
Luswata revealed that she joined the BBC, where she spent 18 months working in production management and gained experience working on major television shows.
“I went to the BBC and I did 18 months there of production management, and I worked on really big shows.”
The experience introduced her to a side of television that she had not previously explored as an on-air personality.
“That has introduced me to a new branch of TV that I fell in love with.”
While Luswata has moved away from the gossip-show format that made her widely known, her latest comments make it clear that her connection to television remains strong.
She may no longer be sitting in the same presenter’s chair, but Luswata says she has found another way to pursue the industry she has always loved.