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Young, Famous and African, a reality TV show released on Netflix over the weekend has caused a stir for many reasons, one major one being Diamond Platnumz and Zari Hassan’s co-parenting relationship.
It is a refreshing production for the African audience and the international ones too.
The unscripted show features an attractive cast of young, African superstars from across the continent. Close to home, Diamond Platnumz, real name Naseeb Abdul, stars alongside his ex-wife and mother of two children Zari Hassan.
Other cast members are South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau, Nigerian Afrobeat superstar Innocent ‘2baba’ Idibia, his wife; Nigerian actress Annie Macaulay Idibia, Quinton ‘Naked Masina- a celebrated South African DJ, South-African Zimbabwean rapper Nadia Nakai and Nigerian superstar stylist Swanky Jerry ( real name Jeremiah Ogbodo).
Also starring is the popular South African TV personality and entrepreneur Andile Ncube as well as DJ Naked’s fitness enthusiast girlfriend, Kayleigh Schwark.
If you’re trying to get home to Netflix and Chill, here is a spoiler alert, we don’t want to ruin all the glossy drama ahead.
The sights and sounds of wealth, opulence and success are evident on this latest series. They leave you admiring the flashy lifestyle that comes with having not only millions of shillings, but millions of fans.
East Africa’s Diamond has been portrayed as a soft-spoken playboy who has a way with the ladies- and some possible feelings for his ex-beau Zari.
In the series, cast mates question the smooth co-parenting relationship between the pair, who insist that they are just good friends.
“Throughout the series, Zari is often on the other end of a disagreement with cast members, like Annie and Khanyi. After a public breakup and cheating scandal with her ex-husband and the father of two of her five kids, Zari co-parents with Diamond while also exchanging eyes with Andile,” Elle Magazine reports on the show.
One of the most intriguing story-lines for East Africans will definitely be the one following Zari’s friendship with the dapper South African TV personality Andile, with whom a spark is evident from the get-go.
Viewers marvel at drama that seemingly follows the self-proclaimed boss lady, who repeatedly says that things are not all rosy with the rest of the cast because they are “intimidated by her confidence.”
The fashion and style on the series is also top-notch. But, of course it has to be, seeing that there is a superstar stylist on the cast. It also helps that the stars of the show are filthy rich and can afford the latest designer clothes 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,” South African news website News24 reports.
Elle Magazine describes the show as an opportunity for viewers to catch a glimpse of the lavish, glamorous side of Africa, as that representation has long been missing on TV.
“Viewers who have been yearning for a show to bring the 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,” the magazine reports.
Another captivating story-line is that of the Idibias who have been known as a power couple that have gone through rocky patches in their marriage. Now, the pair open up about their 10 year marriage.
As they choose to stay together and make their adorable family work, they must face the demons of the hardships they have faced so far, including infidelity.
It is also interesting to observe “Simba” himself going on a “hunt”, when Diamond Platnumz takes a liking to rapper Nadia whom he gently attempts to woo despite her telling him that she has a boyfriend.
“The women are powerhouses, owning their labels and refusing to get walked all over by the men in their lives. This first installment of the series sees bonds tested as the group navigates their relationships with one another and new potential romances form. Based on these first 45 minutes alone, it’s clear we’re about to watch a lot of drama go down,” TV review website Decider reports.
Peace Hyde, the show's co-creator and executive producer notes in an interview with AfricaNews that one of the major goals of the series is to crash the stereotypical images about Africa portrayed in media.
"This has been a labour of love that has finally become a reality. Growing up in the U.K, there were no glitzy and sexy images of Africa; all we saw were the stereotypical images that have been propelled in the media for years. 'Young, Famous & African' presents an Africa that is vibrant, beautiful, glossy, and sexy to the world."
