Meet Thierry and Lola, the YOLO duo

Rapper Mos Def might as well have spoken for the new TV hosts in town when he said: “Focused. I’m a hustler. And my hustle is to try and figure out the best ways to do what I like without having to do much else.”

The new Yolo show hosts Thierry Maxime Musonere and Lola Hannigan are not just a young and bubbly pair. Looks can be deceiving. They are two passionate young people who will keep you glued to your screen, whether for their smashing good looks or their energetic, interactive drive.

However, behind the screen is another world, the true self compounded by a life of hustle that has seen them fight to succeed before acquiring their celebrity status. 

“My dad is a violinist. After learning how to pay the instrument while in high school, I started teaching my friends for a fee to make ends meet. My friends would hook me up with other clients, and I saved the money I got for a year,” says Thierry, the happy-go-lucky chap who completed his Cabin Crew studies at Wilson Airport in 2012.

“One of my greatest presentations was singing for the South Korean president in 2005,” remembers the charmer who is the third born in a family of five, adding that his showbiz journey has not been a walk in the park.

 “I do anything that comes my way. It has been years of happiness, struggle and hustle. I am not at the top yet, but this Yolo show has opened doors. I have waited for this moment for two years.”

Last year, at only 20, he bought himself a Subaru, which he sold to invest in other ventures.

And just like him, his co-host, Lola, a Journalism student at Daystar University, also has her hand in many pies.

“I have done commercials for Prestige Margarine and Nestle in India, as well as Fair and Lovely in Lebanon. I also modeled for Strut it Africa in 2012 and 2013 in Kenya, and got the opportunity to act in the Mali TV series. It was a big deal to me, though I had a small role as a secretary for a few months,” the ever cheerful lass says.

Of the Yolo post, the 22-year-old says: “A friend gave my number to the producers of the show and they called me to ask whether I could attend the audition. I was told 30 people had auditioned, so even as I went to try my luck, I never thought I would land the job.”

So, is either of the two charmers dating?

“I am not dating. I know it sounds funny, but dating is not my priority at the moment. There are a lot of things that come with relationships, and also the job that I do.  But I have a girl in mind, though I won’t mention any name yet,” jokes the jolly flirt who loves horse riding, skating, cycling and walking over the weekend.

Unlike him, the sassy Lola opts to keep silent on the matter, saying “some things are best left private”.

“My greatest achievement was making my parents proud. When I told them that I landed the job, the look on their faces was priceless. I have always wanted to make the people close to me proud and happy. They will be more proud when I become a news anchor, which I want to do in the near future,” she tells Pulse.

“We have good chemistry during the show and enjoy our little moments off-screen. Thierry is amazingly funny. He has a great personality,” Lola praises.

“I love working with Lola. She is a happy person like me, so it is easy working with her. She enjoys her life,” Thierry concludes.