Pearl Thusi will come back in the second season of Average Joe, taking up her role as Detective Petra Barlow. The actress joins the returning casts as the series moves from BET+ to Paramount+. The new season will premiere on August 19. Fans are anticipating the release of the series.

Created by Robb Cullen, Average Joe follows Joe Washington, played by Deon Cole, a Pittsburgh plumber whose life changes after learning his late father stole millions from people connected to the Russian mafia.The series is a crime drama filled with suspense 

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Pearl Thusi joins the cast of Average Joe Season 2 in a new role.” While there are some hidden parts, the released teaser hints that Joe and those closest to him will face greater threats. The trailer suggests that the fallout from the first season will introduce new enemies and dangerous missions. 

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Season two was filmed in Cape Town, South Africa. Robb Cullen confirmed that filming began in February 2025. The main cast also returns for the new season. Deon Cole reprises his role as Joe Washington alongside Tammy Townsend as Angela Washington, Malcolm Barrett as Leon Montgomery, Cynthia Kaye McWilliams as Cathy Montgomery, Ashley Olivia Fisher as Jennifer Washington, Ashani Roberts as Sergeant Pam Talford, and Pasha D. Lychnikoff as crime boss Nicolai Dzhugashvili. 

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Thusi starred in movies like Queen Sono and The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency. This didn’t affect other jobs presenting. Her involvement in Average Joe shows her influence on South African performers in global television.

The second season will also introduce a new streaming home. While the first season premiered on BET+, there will be new episodes on Paramount+. Promotional material released ahead of the premiere promises bigger twists than the first season delivered.

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With Pearl Thusi returning as Detective Petra Barlow, fans can expect another strong performance as Average Joe raises the stakes. With its returning cast and new setting , season two is shaping up to build on the momentum that made the first season one stand out. 

Tyrese Gibson has backed Tyla after fresh criticism over her use of the term “Coloured” to describe her identity. The debate resurfaced after the South African singer addressed the backlash during an appearance on Apple Music’s The Ebro Show. Gibson defended Tyla, saying many people outside South Africa do not understand the country’s racial and cultural context.

During the interview, Tyla explained that people from her community are classified as “Coloured”. However, in the United States, the meaning differs. In her words :

“Initially it was very difficult because prior to ‘The Breakfast Club’, I did answer that question and already I started getting backlash. And I was like, ‘Whoa’, I don’t know what else to say about it because I never had to explain myself,” 

“You know, I was just always myself and living. At the time, 22 years of my life, all I knew was that I’m Coloured and that’s what I was told.”

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Tyla stressed that being colored is part of her culture, but she understands why the word upsets many people. The singer said the experience gave her a better understanding about how races are interpreted.

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Tyrese Gibson came to Tyla’s aid on social media. He said he was surprised by the amount of criticism Tyla got and questioned the “selective outrage.” Gibson argued that many critics failed to understand South Africa’s history before judging Tyla. He said:

“I didn’t say anything but I was definitely shocked at the beatdown online and found myself feeling sad to see her career take a hit,” 

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Gibson said visiting South Africa opened his eyes about the country’s culture and history. He urged people to understand South Africa’s racial classifications before criticising Tyla. He explained; 

“I’ve been to South Africa at least eight times. Do your research on apartheid. All of the trauma that apartheid inflicted and is still inflicting to this day on Africans.”

Controversies like this are not new. Similar discussions came up in 2024 after an interview on The Breakfast Club. Tyla released a statement saying she didn’t deny being Black. 

These discussions highlight how racial identity is understood differently across countries. Many South Africans argue that Tyla’s identity should be interpreted within South Africa’s historical and social context. 

Mathew Knowles said that Destiny’s Child fans could soon hear new music from the group. The former manager of the trio announced that a collection of previously unreleased remixes will arrive within the next 30 days. This will give fans fresh versions of their songs after over two decades after their commercial peak.

Knowles shared the news during an interview on SiriusXM’s Page Six Radio. He explained that the upcoming project will include dance versions, urban remixes and collaborations with guest rappers. He teased that, 

“What we’re doing now is we’re about to market a bunch of new remixes. Some you’ve never heard before from Destiny’s Child,”

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He hinted that they will keep the original vocals from Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams.

Knowles confirmed Missy Elliott will be on one of the remixes. While he didn’t reveal other names, he said more guest artists are involved in the project. Missy Elliott has worked with Destiny’s Child. In his words ;

“Now, we have some guest rappers on it, but the girls are on it. And then there’s, you know, there’s some that are dance mixes and then there’s some that are just regular urban mixes. So, there’s a combination. And we have so much music that hasn’t been put out yet on Destiny’s Child.”

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According to Knowles, the group still has a large archive of unreleased material. He suggested that these recordings have remained untouched for years and will soon be released. The project focuses on reimagining classic Destiny’s Child tracks. 

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This is the first Destiny’s Child remix release since This Is the Remix in 2002. It featured collaborations with Wyclef Jean and Timbaland. 

Although the group officially ended after releasing Destiny Fulfilled in 2004 and completing its tour in 2005, they came together several times. Beyoncé, Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams performed at Beyoncé’s Super Bowl halftime show in 2013. They were seen at Coachella in 2018, and also during the final show of Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter Tour in 2025. 

Photo: Instagram

The group celebrated the anniversary of The Writing’s on the Wall, which had hits like “Bills, Bills, Bills,” “Bug a Boo,” and “Say My Name.” While Knowles did not confirm an official release date, album title or track list, his comments suggest it won’t be long.