American actor Ricco Ross is set to make his first trip to South Africa this December, where he will take on hosting duties at Ndlala Arena in Pretoria.
Ross, best known to a new generation of viewers as Horace Bellarie in Tyler Perry’s Netflix drama “Beauty in Black”, will serve as the red-carpet and show co-host for Ndlala Grandeur Season 1 on December 16 and 17.
The wider Ndlala Grandeur season is scheduled to run from December 16 to 19 at Ndlala Arena, situated at Ndlala Mall in Arcadia, Pretoria. The line-up for the four-night event has not yet been announced.
Ross’s appearance comes after a busy year for Ndlala Arena, which hosted the second edition of its Ndlala Grandeur II in August.
Ricco Ross has a career spanning decades
While many viewers may recognise Ross from “Beauty in Black”, the actor has been working in film and television for more than four decades.
Born in Chicago in 1958, Ross studied at UCLA, where he earned a Master of Fine Arts, before continuing his training at the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art.
His early television work included appearances on “Hill Street Blues” and “The Young and the Restless”. He later built an international career that included film and television roles in productions such as “Mission: Impossible”, “Doctor Who”, “The Practice”, “JAG”, “ER”, “P-Valley” and “Bosch: Legacy”.
One of his most recognisable early roles came in James Cameron’s 1986 science-fiction classic “Aliens”, where he played Private Frost.
More recently, Ross has found a new audience through “Beauty in Black”, where he plays Horace Bellarie in the Tyler Perry-created Netflix series. His official filmography also lists “P-Valley” and “Beauty in Black” among his recent television work.
His move into hosting for Ndlala Grandeur adds another dimension to his South African appearance, putting the actor in front of fans away from his usual screen roles.
Ndlala Arena builds on its R&B legacy
Ross’s December appearance follows a year in which Ndlala Arena has increasingly positioned itself as a destination for large-scale entertainment events.
The venue’s biggest 2026 event so far was Ndlala Grandeur II, which expanded from the previous year’s two-night event into a three-day celebration of R&B.
The August edition featured international acts including Mýa, RL, Ginuwine, Case and Tyrese, alongside South African performers such as Zonke, Vusi Nova and Brian Themba. Several of the international artists were also honoured with stars on the Ndlala Walk of Fame.
The first Ndlala Grandeur, held in 2025, featured R&B singers Joe and Donell Jones, with Somizi hosting the event.
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