On March 18, 2022, Netflix launched its first African reality show, titled Young, Famous, and African.
Two days later, the show is already trending on Kenya’s Netflix, attracting those with an insatiable appetite for drama and love in reality shows, only this time from various African celebrities.
The mostly unscripted reality show follows a group of famous affluent stars as they work and play, flirt, and feud in Johannesburg, South Africa.
The show follows a group of wealthy young media personalities, musicians, and fashion icons as they pursue their dreams, fall in love, and rekindle old flames.
East Africa, Bongo star Diamond Platinumz, South African rapper Nadia Nakai, Actor Khanyi Mbau Annie Macaulay-Idibia (Nigeria), 2Baba (Nigeria), Zari the Boss Lady (Uganda), Naked DJ (South Africa), Swanky Jerry (Nigeria), Andile Ncube (South Africa), and Kayleigh Schwark star in the seven-episode series (South Africa).
Expect the ladies to squabble over fine dining and the men to yell; promises to be broken, drama, drama, and more drama.
Peace Hyde, the show’s co-creator and executive producer, has released a trailer for the show.
If you’re looking forward to watching Netflix and chilling, here’s a spoiler warning: we don’t want to ruin all the glitzy drama ahead.
This latest series is filled with the sights and sounds of wealth, opulence, and success. They leave you envious of the flashy lifestyle that comes with having millions of fans, not just millions of shillings.
Diamond has been portrayed as a soft-spoken playboy with a thing for ladies and possibly feelings for his ex-beau Zari.
Cast members in the show question the couple’s easy co-parenting relationship, which they insist is just a friendship.
“Throughout the series, Zari is frequently on the receiving end of a squabble with cast members such as Annie and Khanyi.” Zari co-parents with Diamond while also exchanging glances with Andile after a public breakup and cheating scandal with her ex-husband and the father of two of her five children,” Elle Magazine reports on the show.
One of the most intriguing plot lines for East Africans will undoubtedly be Zari’s friendship with the dapper South African TV personality Andile, with whom a spark is evident from the start.
Viewers are enthralled by the drama that appears to follow the self-proclaimed boss lady, who repeatedly claims that things aren’t all rosy with the rest of the cast because they are “intimidated by her confidence.”
The series’ fashion and style are also excellent. Of course, with a celebrity stylist on the cast, it has to be. It also helps that the show’s stars are filthy rich and can afford the most up-to-date designer clothing and accessories.
“Not short of the soft life and shots fired,’ the show gives fans a ringside view of African celebrity at its most dramatic, charismatic, and extravagant,” reports South African news website News24.
According to Elle Magazine, the show will provide viewers with a glimpse of the lavish, glamorous side of Africa, which has long been underrepresented on television.
“Viewers who have been yearning for a show to bring elements of successful series like Bling Empire and Selling Sunset to the African continent will want to meet the eccentrically vibrant cast of Young, Famous & African,” according to the magazine.
Another enthralling storyline is that of the Idibias, who have been known as a power couple who have experienced difficulties in their marriage. Now, the couple discusses their ten-year marriage.
As they make the decision to stay together and make their adorable family work, they must confront the demons of their previous difficulties, including infidelity.
It’s also interesting to see “Simba” himself go on a “hunt,” when Diamond Platnumz falls for rapper Nadia, whom he gently tries to woo despite her telling him that she has a boyfriend.
“The women are strong, owning their labels and refusing to be walked over by the men in their lives.” Bonds are tested in this first installment of the series as the group navigates their relationships with one another and new potential romances emerge. Based on the first 45 minutes, it’s clear that we’re in for a lot of drama.”
According to Decider, a television review website.
In an interview with AfricaNews, Peace Hyde, the show’s co-creator and executive producer, stated that one of the series’ main goals is to break down stereotypes about Africa in the media.
“This has been a labor of love that has finally paid off. Growing up in the United Kingdom, there were no glitzy and sexy images of Africa; all we saw were the stereotypical images that had been promulgated in the media for years. ‘Young, Famous, and African’ portrays a vibrant, beautiful, glossy, and sexy Africa to the rest of the world.”
Content courtesy of Netflix & NFH
