Danilo Acquisto, 25, is a TV presenter on Afternoon Express and a radio presenter on Good Hope FM – with far too much energy and passion filling in the time between the two.
Danilo grew up in Johannesburg and attended St Stithians College, where he matriculated with five distinctions, attained Honours for academics and dramatic arts, and led his peers as a prefect. On completing high school, he was hungry for change and set out to challenge himself. This led him to Cape Town in 2010 where he pursued a BA Law degree at UCT. He completed his studies in 2012 graduating with a BA degree in Law and Sociology under his belt.
While studying at UCT, he hosted the afternoon drive show on UCT Radio. In September 2010 he entered a presenter search for a television show on SABC2, Hectic Nine-9. He went on to win the coveted role of lead presenter for the live television show, where he presented to an audience of over 3 million viewers daily. In addition to this, he also produced for the show on a regular basis.
In 2015, Danilo went on to become one of the three winners of the #PresenterSearchOn3, where he was named the new addition to the Afternoon Express team on SABC3, where he presents alongside Bonang Matheba, Jeannie D and Bonnie Mbuli.
We sat down with the down-to-earth and rising TV personality recently to have a chat…
What were your best/worst subjects in school?
I think the highest mark I got in school was for Drama – I left matric with an 86 if I remember correctly. My worst subject was Zulu – I got a 66 and it was in fact my only C.
What do you like doing in your spare time?
Being an entrepreneur, spare time is very scarce. When I do get a gap I love trying out new restaurants, travelling, hanging out with friends, watching a sunset, hiking, watching series or a movie and doing extreme sports like skydiving, shark cage diving etc.
What’s the weirdest thing a fan has ever done for you?
I literally have some of the sweetest followers in the world. I haven’t had any crazy weird moments but the strangest to date was a girl who used to wait for me outside studio every day for a week and never say hi. Eventually she left a chocolate at reception with a blank piece of paper which she had left a lipstick kiss on. No name. No hello. Nothing.
What’s your favourite holiday?
I travel overseas as much as I can and will forever be astounded by the cultural beauty of Europe but my heart has always been in love with the wild coast in SA. Being so entrenched in “the world”, it’s so good to break away and be in the wild. It’s good for soul.
What’s your biggest/weirdest fear?
I’ve got this irrational hatred for ice cream sticks on my tongue. I can never finish an ice cream because the second that stick touches my tongue I can’t help but cringe! Otherwise I also have this fear of bees…
Who is your celebrity crush?
She’s brunette, she’s smart, she’s natural and not plastered in make-up… I have always had a crush on Jessica Alba.
If you weren’t (whatever he or she is doing), what would you be up to right now?
If I weren’t a TV and radio presenter, MC and entrepreneur I would either have been a lawyer or I would have become a priest. That’s still on the cards but not right now.