Madam Boss, Mai TT feud reignites in explosive war of words

The long-standing feud between Zimbabwean comedy heavyweights Madam Boss and Mai TT has reignited, with Madam Boss lashing out in a no-holds-barred interview, accusing her rival of being "obsessed" with her and calling for her to seek professional help.

The latest flare-up began after Mai TT threw shade at Madam Boss over her recent cosmetic enhancements, mockingly referring to her as "Beyonce wekutemu," a Shona phrase meaning a "knock-off Beyonce." The jab was widely interpreted as a dig at Madam Boss's evolving public image, which has drawn comparisons to the American superstar.

Speaking to Standard Style, a visibly irritated Madam Boss did not hold back. "From way back, from when we started, she has always wanted to be me and has always hated me," she said. "This woman needs to go to rehab and get help. She has been to jail, so she has a lot of trauma because jail is no easy feat."

In the blistering attack, Madam Boss further branded Mai TT a fraudster. "I know that some people go to jail for things they didn't do, but with her, it was out in the open for all to see. She is a fraudster - international and local - and I have no business with such people."

She went on to dismiss any notion of rivalry between them, claiming Mai TT posed no real threat. "You should write that, do not filter that I said she is nothing next to me," she declared. "We may share fans, but I am bigger than her. I have got my own supporters, and that makes her jealous."

Madam Boss, real name Tyra Chikocho, said she initially had hopes the two could collaborate when they began their comedy careers. "I created room for her. She knows where my house is built. She was there," she said. "It's just that I don't like to be flashy like her."

Despite the heated words, Madam Boss insisted she usually remains silent out of respect for her brand, family, and professional endorsements. "I am a married woman with in-laws that I respect. I don't want to ruin my brand," she said. "She's used to fights. If she came for a fistfight, she would probably beat me, but maybe she should do that so she can go back to jail."

Mai TT, real name Felistas Murata, hit back with her own fiery claims, suggesting it is Madam Boss who thrives on the feud. "Everything she does is thanks to me because I keep her relevant," she said. "If I cough, she's got content. Otherwise, I don't have much to say about someone that I made."

She also took credit for some of Madam Boss's musical efforts, saying, "I gave her those lyrics. She wrote the song thanks to me."

Ironically, Madam Boss initially told reporters she would not dignify Mai TT's provocations with a response, claiming she considered her rival "beneath" her. But this latest outburst signals that the animosity between the two is far from over, with the public eagerly watching the next move in one of Zimbabwe's most dramatic celebrity rivalries.