Diamond & Dolls: Tebogo Ramakgodi spills tea on the reality show

If you’ve ever wondered how Johannesburg’s most infamous socialites live and where they hang out, look no further because Showmax’s new local six-part reality show Diamond & Dolls gives viewers front row seats to their lives.

Diamonds & Dolls follows musician and social media influencer Tebogo Ramokgadi and his four socialite friends on their journey to fame and fortune. Tebogo affectionately refers to his mates as “Dolls”, and they include award-winning nightclub promoter Inno Morolong, nightclub hostess Eva Modika, soccer star manager Lumi Jemwa and fashion blogger Lolo Mlungwana.

The Diamond and Dolls fly first-class to private holiday destinations, they throw the wildest parties at exclusive venues, and their closets are filled with expensive fashion brands. But expect drama as their dinner parties end in chaos and the friends never miss a chance at bickering and yelling at each other.

“We set the tone on how to dress and party in the City of Gold. It’s opulence at its best,” explains Tebogo, who refers to himself as the Mayor of Sandton. “We bring the glitz, glam and champagne lifestyle. We don’t hold back on the drama either. So expect explosive moments from this group of friends, darling,” adds Tebogo. The reality TV star and creator of Diamond & Dolls shares what it took to bring his 10-year vision to life.

So, you refer to yourself as the Mayor of Sandton?

Yes [Laughs]. I know the ins and outs of Sandton like the back of my hand. Unlike the Dolls [who recently moved to Sandton], I grew up in the town and I’ve lived there most of my life. As I always tell people, I experienced Sandton City when there was just one building, before it became an economic hub, filled with skyscrapers and the biggest mall in Johannesburg.

What was the process of casting the Dolls?

It was a natural process as we all run in the same circles. Inno and Eva are my close friends, and they were immediately on board to join the reality show when I told them about it. As for Lolo and Lumi, they were invited by Eva. Not many people are aware, but my deceased socialite friend Lebo Mathuloe [who was allegedly murdered in 2017] was meant to be part of the cast, but she passed away before we started filming.

What can you tell us about each Doll?

At first Eva seems feisty, but she’s actually a sweetheart. She only gets crazy when she’s drunk. What people don’t know about Eva is that she’s the one who wanted a reality show more than any cast member.

Inno is caring and funny but she is always late for everything – and I mean every function, viewers will see what I’m referring to when they watch the show. With Lumi, I’m still trying to wrap my head around her [as she is an enigma].

Lastly, Lolo is ambitious and she’s a go-getter. Don’t dare mess with her, she’s no push-over.

What makes Diamond & Dolls different from other reality shows of its kind?

It’s the first of its kind in Africa. Diamond & Dolls documents the lives of five socialites, viewers are invited into their homes, and they get a taste of their personal lives, careers and friendships – that hasn’t been done before on the continent. Our content is fresh and authentic – nothing is fake or scripted. We’re real like that!

What was the process of getting Diamond & Dolls on Showmax?

It took many years to get the reality show up and running. In fact, this dream has been 10 years in the making. We spent millions of rands filming Diamond & Dolls, and my co-producer and I nearly went bankrupt because we wanted high standards that the show demands. I’m glad that we didn’t give up on our dream.

What will viewers learn about South African socialites from watching Diamond & Dolls?

Usually people only see the glamourous side of our lives. They see socialites on fancy vacations, partying in nightclubs at VIP sections or rubbing shoulders with A-list celebrities on Instagram but we’re fully lifting the lid on our lives.

They’ll see us with our families, and they’ll also hear our success stories. In one of the episodes, I spend the day with my family in Rustenburg, and viewers will see my humble beginnings. I believe that viewers will grow with us. We’re hoping for more seasons on Showmax, where we continue to share our trials and tribulations with viewers.

What would Season 2 of Diamond & Dolls look like?

Drama, drama and more drama, of course. Because Season 1 is six episodes [and it was filmed before the pandemic], viewers get a glimpse of our personalities. If we get another season, they’ll see more of our adventures, especially while the group gets more cosmetic procedures – and we’re unapologetic about it.

Inno recently had liposuction, Eva and Lolo also went under the knife and I’m also considering getting surgery to have a flatter stomach. Viewers will also see us grow our businesses and chase our dreams in the City of Gold.

To watch Tebogo and the Dolls pursue their dreams, catch Diamond & Dolls Season 1 streaming on Showmax. All six episodes are available.