Young, Famous & African is an African reality television series on Netflix,[1] starring African stars Khanyi Mbau, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Zari Hassan, Diamond Platnumz, Andile Ncube, Swanky Jerry, Naked DJ, Nadia Nakai, Luis Munana, Kayleigh Schwark and 2Baba.[2] The show focused on building careers, looking for love, and rekindling old flames of famous media personalities from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania.[3]
| Young, Famous & African | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | Reality television |
| Created by |
|
| Starring | |
| Country of origin | South Africa |
| Original language | English |
| No. of series | 2 |
| No. of episodes | 16 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
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| Production location | Johannesburg |
| Camera setup | Multi-camera |
| Original release | |
| Network | Netflix |
| Release | 18 March 2022 |
As Netflix's first African reality series, it premiered on 18 March 2022.[4]
Plot
editThe show follows a group of friends who are African entertainers and A-listers as they go about their lives having fun, flirting and fighting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
They hail from five African countries. South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau is the central character of the group who is in a relationship with a Zimbabwean businessman. Separated couple Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and his ex-girlfriend, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan navigate their post-separation relationship, moving on and co-parenting.
Nigerian model Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba deal with issues of previous infidelity and restoration. Nigerian fashion stylist Swanky Jerry is another central character who often appears as a peacemaker in the group.
South African rapper Nadia Nakai who is in a long-distance relationship, and single guy and broadcaster Andile Ncube also feature as potential love interests of other cast members.
Twice-divorced South African Naked DJ and his footballer girlfriend Kayleigh Schwark go through the challenges of dating life and their 12-year age gap.[5][6]
Cast
edit- Annie Macaulay-Idibia
- Bonang Matheba
- Diamond Platnumz
- Swanky Jerry
- Zari Hassan
- Nadia Nakai
- 2Baba
- Khanyi Mbau
- Naked DJ
- Kayleigh Schwark
- Andile Ncube
- Luis Munana
Episodes
editSeason 1 (2022)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date [8] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "Welcome to South Africa" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
Queen of bling Khanyi Mbau throws a ball for her friends; Diamond Platnumz's heartbreak emerges as he woos Nadia Nakai; parenting talk gets intense. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "The Newcomer" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
Diamond hands the wheel to Nadia as they shop; Khanyi and Annie Macaulay-Idibia clash; Kayleigh Schwark spills about life with Naked DJ. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "Love Is in the Air" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
Zari makes a splash at a soiree; Diamond gets called out by Naked, who spars with Khanyi; a loved one shows up. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "Bye, Bitch!" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
African queens are on a collision course; Annie shares her joy, but Zari takes 2Face to the side; Andile Ncube assembles all his friends including his two baby mamas for a posh party. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Faceoff" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
Entanglements turn explosive, Zari confides in Khanyi, Annie gossips with Swanky and Nadia, and Andile makes time for love. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Murder on the Blue Train" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
Zari invites the squad on a luxury train trip; awkwardness -- and lions -- rattle the crew; Nadia has big news. | |||||
| 7 | 7 | "Wedding Bells" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
|
A lavish vow renewal approaches; the men shift gears for a speedy bachelor party while Swanky shakes up a tense bachelorette party. | |||||
Season 2 (2023)
edit| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date [8] |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 1 | "Awkward Reunions" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 9 | 2 | "Masks Off" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 10 | 3 | "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 11 | 4 | "The Queen B" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 12 | 5 | "Showdown" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 13 | 6 | "Oh Baby!" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 14 | 7 | "Trailer Proposal" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 15 | 8 | "Gloves Off" |
| 19 May 2023 |
| 16 | 9 | "Trials and Tribulations" |
| 19 May 2023 |
Production
editOn 22 June 2021, Netflix partnered with the creator and executive producer, Peace Hyde, to produce its first African reality series.[9] On 25 September 2021, Netflix premiered Young, Famous & African at Tudum: A Global Fan Event in Brazil, among 60 Netflix Originals.[10]
On 14 February 2022, the official trailer was released on Netflix's YouTube channel.[11] The show premiered on 18 March.[12]
Reception
editAwards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Best Reality TV Shows | Young, Famous & African | Won | |
| 2023 | National Film & TV Awards South Africa | Best Reality TV Show | Young, Famous & African | Won |
References
edit- ^ "Netflix announces star-studded cast for its first African reality series". The South African. 24 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Peace Hyde is Producing Netflix's First African Reality TV Series – Young, Famous & African – Starring Annie Idibia, Diamond Platnumz, Swanky Jerry". BellaNaija. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Young, Famous & African". Netflix. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Rajput, Gunjan (15 March 2022). "'Young, Famous & African': 5 things you need to know about the Netflix Reality series". Meaww. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ Phiri, Janice (22 March 2022). "Young, Famous & African – here is what you need to know". News24. Retrieved 24 March 2022.
- ^ Rafter, Shana (23 June 2021). "Diamond and Zari to premiere on Netflix' reality show "Young, Famous & African"". NexTV News Africa. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ a b "Roar". Writers Guild of America West. Retrieved 15 February 2022.
- ^ a b "Shows A-Z – Young, Famous & African on Netflix". The Futon Critic. Retrieved 17 March 2022.
- ^ "Netflix partners Peace Hyde for first African Reality TV series". The Nation. 22 June 2021. Retrieved 28 June 2021.
- ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (28 September 2021). "'Young, Famous & African' premieres at Netflix global fan event Tudum". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 14 November 2021.
- ^ Nwogu, Precious 'Mamazeus' (14 February 2022). "Netflix debuts trailer for first African reality show 'Young, Famous & African'". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 21 February 2022.
- ^ Phiri, Janice (22 March 2022). "Young, Famous & African – here is what you need to know". News24. Retrieved 24 March 2022.