Siya Kolisi says ‘I love feeling like a child’ after starstruck night at 2026 NBA All-Star Celebrity Game
Siya Kolisi with Emmy-winning star Sterling K. Brown.
Image: Instagram / Siya Kolisi
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is used to being the one fans line up to photograph, but at the 75th NBA All-Star Celebrity Game in Los Angeles, he happily embraced the chance to be the one starstruck.
In videos shared on social media, Kolisi could hardly contain his excitement as he found himself surrounded by some of the most recognisable faces in entertainment, music and sport.
“Welcome to Hollywood, where the stars are out,” he said, his smile capturing the disbelief and joy of the moment.
He openly admitted he was “freaking out” seeing in person the celebrities he had only ever watched on screen, choosing not to hide his excitement but to fully embrace it.
“I don’t care. I love feeling like a child,” he said, laughing as he set out on his own mission to capture photos with the stars around him.
It was a refreshing moment of honesty from one of rugby’s biggest names, with Kolisi radiating gratitude and humility as he reflected on his blessings.
Among those he met was “Fast and Furious” actor Ludacris, Emmy-winning star Sterling K. Brown, comedian Lamorne Morris, and “Schitt’s Creek” actress Annie Murphy, each encounter adding to what was clearly a surreal night for our captain.
He also shared a lighthearted video with former NBA champion Festus Ezeli, inviting him to South Africa and joking that he would show him both the “hood” and the safari, while laughing about how small he felt standing beside the towering basketball star.
The star power extended far beyond Kolisi’s personal encounters.
Two-time Grammy Award winner Tyla proudly represented South Africa courtside, while the presence of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, added a rare touch of royalty to the already glittering crowd, with the pair seated next to rapper and Hollywood icon Queen Latifah.
One of the most powerful moments of the night came when former US President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama appeared on the arena’s video board, receiving a standing ovation from the crowd.
The courtside lineup continued with Golden Globe-winning singer and actress Teyana Taylor, powerhouse vocalist Jennifer Hudson, Destiny’s Child star Kelly Rowland and actors Damson Idris and Vin Diesel.
Basketball royalty was equally present, with Hall of Famers Magic Johnson, Allen Iverson, Oscar Robertson, Dwyane Wade and Vince Carter reminding everyone why the All-Star Weekend remains one of the most iconic events on the global sporting calendar.
For Kolisi, however, the night was about more than just celebrity sightings.
It was about allowing himself to feel wonder, to celebrate how far he has come, and to embrace the joy of simply being a fan.