BIO

Rēfilwe, born Refilwe Maitisa, is a singer-songwriter, actress and model from Johannesburg, South Africa. She graduated as the top student at New York University (NYU), Tisch School of the Arts with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama and earned her Associate Degree at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles.

She is a Princess Grace Award nominee - a national award recognizing extraordinary emerging artists in the US. At NYU, she was awarded the Drama Banner Bearer Award (top student in leadership and academics at Tisch Drama), Outstanding Achievement in Studio Award for The Classical Studio (for acting), University Honors Scholar (top 40% of baccalaureate students in Tisch) and selected by Tisch as the Student Representative for Tisch Drama where she gave a speech at graduation, among other honors.

Rēfilwe performed in the original musical Humanity's Child which debuted at The New York Theater Festival (recipient of Best Choreography and Best Director award) and later Off-Broadway at The Players Theatre in New York. She was named a Top 10 Vocalist at the South African Talent Championship and has performed in multiple singing & acting showcases and competitions. She has also appeared in short films some of which were nominated and showcased at festivals.

In high school, Rēfilwe made her runway debut at the Mercedes Benz Fashion Week, walking for acclaimed fashion designer David Tlale. In 2023, she was selected as a runway model for David Tlale's special 20th Year Celebration in the fashion industry.

Rēfilwe is working on music and released her debut single "Home" in November 2025.