Ama Qamata announced as L’Oréal Paris’ newest Sub-Saharan Africa ambassador
Actress Ama Qamata made her mark on the global stage when she walked the runway for L’Oréal Paris during Paris Fashion Week, but her performance has left South Africans divided.
The Blood & Water star joined international icons at the brand’s Le Défilé L’Oréal Paris show, held on 29 September 2025 outside the iconic Hôtel de Ville.
Wearing a striking red mini dress paired with matching heels and her signature braids, the actress turned heads as she strutted down the catwalk.
The glamorous showcase celebrated women’s empowerment under the theme, “Liberty, Equality, Sisterhood, You’re Worth It.”
Ama’s big runway moment came just days after she was unveiled as L’Oréal Paris’ newest Sub-Saharan Africa ambassador, joining the likes of Thuso Mbedu.
Sharing her excitement in an Instagram post, she reflected on what the achievement meant to her.
“This moment affirms for me that when you believe in yourself and stay true to who you are, magic happens. Here’s to celebrating beauty, confidence and self-worth because we’re all worth it.”
While international audiences celebrated the actress, back home the reaction was more complicated.
A video of her runway walk, shared online by gossip blogger Musa Khawula, triggered a wave of commentary from South Africans who felt she seemed uneasy.
Ama Qamata walking for L’Oreal; Paris. pic.twitter.com/yqAbWXm9TQ
— Musa Khawula (@MsaKhawula) September 30, 2025
Some pointed out that she kept tugging at her dress and blinking excessively.
One user asked, “Why’s she blinking so much?” while another said, “She didn’t feel confident. Why is she holding the dress?”
A third commenter added, “She wore the dress short as it is, why does she keep pulling it down? And she is blinking a lot; you can tell she is uncomfortable.”
