Young Famous African: Being a royalty In The Lions Den

Let’s talk about this fabulous African reality tv, which is shaken up with drama and flamboyant fashion. Who is here for it? While I watched this series I was delighted about the African flair. This series is based in South Africa, but has famous africans, from Nigeria, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Uganda.

In this African reality tv, as the title Young and Famous suggests, we see the famous and make believe rich aspects of the life of these entertainers, showing the richest most luxurious outlets.

Marvellous places and completely filled drama. If you watch this african reality tv, every episode will have some reality tv worthy situation, in which everyone clashes, they form groups and have several confrontations.

Honestly, I did not know any of the famous africans on the show, but that is why I liked watching it, to be introduced to entertainers I did not know about yet.

So for those also did not know who these entertainers are, here a list with their background and professions:

Khanyi Mbau, actress

Kudzai Mushonga, buisness man

Diamond Platnumz, musician

Zari the Boss Lady, buisness woman

Andile Ncube, actor

2Baba, Innocent, Singer

Annie Macaulay-Idibia, actress/model

Swanky Jerry, Fashion stylist

Nadia Nakai, musician, rapper

Naked DJ, Dj

Kayliegh Schwark, semi professional footballer

The people selected for the african reality tv did not to all know each other, before this experience. At least not closely as they will this season.

The best fashion styles of the show, has the Nigerian fashion stylist, Swanky. Every time you see him on screen, his clothes are such carefully crafted to the detail, to really fit the situation. Before I start going into the details and the drama, lets take a look on his outfits:

What do you think about his styles? Which is one is your favourite?

The african reality tv starts with actress Khany organising a party for her friends and acquaintances. For this event she has rented a big mansion and employed staff.

She invites, the musician, Nadia Nakai to join her at the event party location during the preparation. Here they chat about their lives. Nadia is dating an American rapper, Vic Mensa, and they are often on vacations together. Their relationship is long distance, but they are trying to make it work.

In this occasion I recall Nadia, during the snippet of her personal interview, talking about Khany’s party location, which is taking place at an ex colonial mansion. Nadia is a bit perplexed by the fact. I can surely understand why, south Africa is a country that has been colonised and had to live through terrible period of apartheid. That is why every symbolism of this times is tinted with blood and horrific crimes. Racial segregation ended only in the early 90s.

Nadia does not tell her feelings about the party location, directly to Khany. But I respect her mentioning it. When you are young and famous in Africa you should be aware and mention the history, even if it is harsh. However Khany seems to know another history of the place. Khany tells the audience that this mansion is made in classic African style. Interesting how she describes it, right? Does she know, or doesn’t she know the truth?

These snippets of personal interviews are part of the reality tv story telling, often it is more exciting to hear their comment about a certain situation after, then to see the situation itself, right?

That night during the party Nadia says in her interview that she would never offend the host, right?

She says that after we witness Annie, Nigerian actress, telling Khany, the host from the party, that the freedom she gives to her 15 year old daughter is not ok, her daughter is only a child, she should not be living alone. Andile, media personality also agrees with Annie, but is less vocal about it.

Before Annie snapped at Khany, Khany was telling everyone on the table how her daughter lives alone and can do and try anything she wants. Khany must really have a sweet and trustworthy daughter. Others don’t understand their relationship. Khany explains how she had her daughter at a young age and had to figure out her relationship with her. They both discuss issues as adults and her daughter prefers to live in the apartment next door. What do you think? Is it ok to not live at your parents house when you are 15teen?

Of course they are rich enough to have another apartment. From personal experience having your own apartment at 15teen is a bit rare, but on the other hand there are many opportunities elsewhere, sometimes young teenagers leave from home to pursue carriers and schooling.

Annie, on the side, does not think this is a right parenting move and tells her that her daughter is a child and she should live with her mother.

Very direct and honest from Annie about her parenting style. However, this was their first time meeting on the african reality tv show. Would you have directly disagreed with someone about something as crucial as raising their own child, on the first time meeting each other, so directly in public? I think that it was quite confrontational from the get go. First open conflict on the show, Annie and Khany.

Later Annie and Andile talk and she tells him about her heart break with her husband Innocent. She knew him before his fame. He is her first love, her everything. When they met he was not famous yet, but overnight he became a star and their relationship suffered tremendously because of his cheating. He had four children before having one with her. She tells us that she stays with him, because the good times are much more then the bad. Annie loves her husband. Their story will be an important reoccurrence during the season. What do you think about Annie and Innocents dynamic? Would you have stayed with someone you loved, even if he hurt you badly?

For some people cheating once is a deal breaker, cheating several times even more. For her it is definitely a deal breaker, she is not a polyamorous woman. She wants her man to be faithful. Yet she cannot leave him, because he is such a charismatic force, everyone wants to be close to him. Her husband also struggled initially with the new earned fame and has been wildly tempted. Of course it is his fault, but have you ever thought about why most relationship with celebrities are not long-lived? Do you think it might be the temptation along the way?

Annie and Innocent have been married for 10 years and have 2 children, they travel the world together and have had a good life. But she is scared by the previous heartbreak and still suffering very much. At this point Khany sits next to them and listens to Annie story. Khany says in the interview snippet how Annie is broke, and that is why she is so confrontational and takes everything so personal. Khany says, Annie shouldn’t have opened up already, too early, that gives her more ammunition for later. Ammunition for what? What do you think?

On the other side, we have the story of Diamond and Zari. These two are not married anymore, and seem to have been quite an odd couple. She, especially at the beginning, seems so sophisticated and he seems quite different, wilder I would say. I don’t know how these two became a couple and later husband and wife, maybe because they are so different, she probably really helped him relax and calm down. Diamond seems very dynamic, always travels, always has to do something next. Zari rules with her calmness, and iron fist. They both have two lovely children together. Diamond is coparenting as much as he can, but he is often away traveling, due to his music carrier and business. Also he actually does not live in South Africa, he lives in Tanzania .

During the Arabian night, event organised by Diamond, Zari makes her grand entrance, with her white long, luscious dress and her beautiful hair jewellery. Here Diamond introduces Zari to everyone, and they sit next to each other on the floor. She brings him a Cartier box, with a present for him. We, spectators and everyone else see the love they still have for each other. It is really beautiful to see how harmonious they are together. What do you think, are they still in love with each other, or do they have love for each other?

This is the first time Zari is meeting the whole group of the african reality tv show and it already creates tension. Her presence makes Nadia feel uncomfortable. They all had met prior at the event of Khany, where Zari wasn’t there.

At this occasion Diamond was flirting with her, even dedicating a song that starts with I love you. Before that night Nadia and Diamond had never met. But since then they have been chatting, he had invited her to shop a car. There was flirting from both sides, right? So tonight at his event, where Zari is also attending, he does not give Nadia the attention he used to.

What do you think about this love triangle?

Diamond is either still in love, or has at least a lot of love and respect for Zari, and that is vice versa. The problem in their marriage seems to have been his wild lifestyle and his side chicks. Zari does not want any hurt and she seems happy with the relationship they have at the moment. When she is there he is totally focused on her, treating her like the precious woman. When she is not there though he is entertaining other beautiful woman.

What do you think about their relationship?

What happened next in the african reality tv show? Well, memorable Annie’s husband re-proposes to her on the show, in a real romantic gesture and a beautiful location on their romantic trip. He tells her all the lovely words she wanted to hear after many years of heartbreak and betrayal.

After their romantic trip they meet the others to tell them the happy news. They will have a new marriage, to inaugurate a new chapter in their lives.

Honestly I don’t know how to explain it, at a certain point they all sit together on this terrace and Andile who was sitting next to Zari, stands up because he wants to talk to Innocent.

At this moment Zari announces how she wants to speak to Annies husband first. Zari wants to talk to him, because Annie has asked her many times how Zari knows Innocent. It seems Zari was vague with Annie and did not tell her. So she says to Innocent come with her, while he is sitting next to Annie.

Did you see the scene? What did you think about it?

Instead of talking to Annie, or talking together with both of them, she chooses to go alone to talk with Innocent? In this way she comes off as shady when talking only to her man.

Innocent felt very uncomfortable with this situation, but kept his cool. He says to her, do you want to fuck with my wife mind? And Zari says, if I wanted that I would have told her I fucked you. I mean Zari how wild are you? The things you say are not as classy at all. Then she pissed of Annie very badly by calling her over, telling Annie she is insecure by asking her many times where she knows Innocent from. Moreover she explicitly says: Innocent and I never banged.

Annie can’t take it no more and they start fighting, she tells her that her man is not into Zari spec (meaning she is too curvy), he likes thinner and more dark skinned girls. Zari gets angry and tells her, they cheat with the opposite type, not the same type. Does Zari talk about personal experience? We should go and ask Diamond about it.

In the african reality tv Zari and Khany both want to be leaders of the group, their leadership styles are though quite different. Khany, as Zari, doesn’t know Annie from before, but she invites her later to a one on one lunch, where she asks her if she is ok with how her relationship with Innocent is going.

I think the difference of her and Zari, is that Khany goes directly to talk to the person and is nice about intruding in their life and asking personal questions. Khany tries to help out. Zari, on the other hand, does not talk one on one with the person, trying to understand where they are coming from. She has this image that she is a boss lady and that is how everyone should treat her.

A good leader highlights and delights others though. When others shine, you shine. I think Zari still needs to understand that with her privilege she should put light on others, it won’t diminish hers, it will make her shine only brighter.

Khany and Zari are both the drama queens of this african reality tv. The difference is, Zhany is more of a team player and a friends, because she lets other people take the lead after she meddles. Zari wants to meddle and be on top of the situation, not giving other people space and the attention they need. Especially people such as entertainers themselves, who also love to stand in the limelight.

Which was your favourite power struggle?

We see Naked and Kayliegh since the first episode. Their age gap is pointed out, she is 28 and he is 40. She is a semi professional soccer player and he is a DJ. They seem bickering often and she mentions that he is not romantic. They disagree on many occasions. Kayliegh explains to the girls when they have brunch all together that she just had a fight with Naked.

Everyone is there and they ask her why and she mentioned how she does not think Diamonds behaviour was correct. Flirting with Nadia, then not telling anything to your ex wife and behaving like nothing happened. So apparently for Naked there is nothing wrong with it, since Zari and Diamond are exes and actually free to move on. For Kayliegh the disrespect was also to not be upfront with each other. What do you think? Who is right?

Kayliegh makes Nadia feel very uncomfortable, and also Zari now knows what is really up. Nadia says it would be difficult to fill Zari’s shoes, and Zari says that if she worries about that she already likes Diamond. Zari knows, Zhany knows, everyone noticed the chemistry between Nadia and Diamond and how happy she is when with him. Diamond knows how to make a woman interested and strolling them along. In Zari case she already knows him to well. She seems ready to move on. Nadia really wants to make collaborations and future connections since he is also a musician, this is how she explains her relationship with him. Is it only for professional connection Nadia?

At the time she has a boyfriend rapper Vic Mensa overseas. But like Khany says, who introduced Nadia and Diamond, let the man fight for the queen. Zari is a bit perplexed, isn’t she a baby to someone?

Khany is also honestly concerned about Kayliegh and Naked relationship. Naked has been her friend for a long time and she wants them to work out their issues. So she tricks them into couple therapy. Some people would find this intrusive, but how she makes it is very entertaining and ultimately beneficial for Kayliegh and Naked couple issues. What do you think? Would you like a friend meddling in your life like that?

In the meantime Zari is flirting with Andile. He thinks very highly of her since the first day they met. He calls her queen and is very fascinated by her. He really wants to pursue her and likes the challenge. She tells him she has a boyfriend, but he doesn’t care. What do you think, is their relationship only for show? Is Zari really interesting or only playing around like Diamond did?

Which was the most ambiguous relationship of all?

The train episode is the most entertaining, because they have a big fight. The fight stems from the fact that Zari has split the group with the drama which she created in the show. I know she might not be aware, but maybe with a little self reflection she could have seen that all these people are seeking attention and validation. She should have been nicer to Annie and fix her relationship with Nadia and Zhany before having everyone against her in this power struggle dynamic. Swanky gets the most upset because of this division. He is always so calm and stylish, trying to help by having meaningful conversations. In this case he was so angry seeing everyone so divided.

What do you think was his outburst justified?

I would say not inviting Zari to the wedding was a personal decision for Annie, she doesn’t want drama, she doesn’t know what to expect from Zari since they are not at good terms. She agreed to agree with Zari because she did not want to fight anymore. Everything is always about Zari. She is good at creating drama that for sure.

Giving these circumstances, would you have invited Zari to your own wedding?

The ending of the series leaves a spicy situation for the next season. During the wedding night, where Andile is the official officiator. He misses Zari, with whom he has bonded and likes a lot. That is why he visits her that evening after the official wedding ceremony at home. What he doesn’t know is that Diamonds flight had been delayed, and he was at home with Zari and his kids. When Diamond sees Andile, he says: yes my boy came to check up on me, that is so nice. Only then Andile come clean and tells him about his love interest in Zari.

What do you think? Is this too near to home, as Naked says? Everyone is against their relationship, they don’t think it is correct to date Zari since she is the mother of Diamonds children and his ex.

What Zari says made me think: nobody had big objection when it was Diamond flirting with Nadia. That is true, Khany was actually pushing this situation and no one else was judging the flirt between Diamond and Nadia. Why are they are opposed to them flirting and getting to know each other?

Let me know what you think in the comments.

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