Must-watch trailer for upcoming Showmax talk show, Untied

Showmax has just dropped the trailer for Untied, a talk show that unpacks the complex world of divorce through the stories of famous women who've lived it. 

Untied is produced by GOAT, the creative minds between Unfollowed and The Real Housewives' Ultimate Girls Trip - South Africa, two of the 10 most-watched titles on Showmax in 2023 and 2024 respectively.

Hosted by multi-award-winning broadcaster Relebogile Mabotja, Untied premieres on Showmax on Tuesday, 24 June 2025. The first episode focuses on businesswoman Norma Gigaba.

In addition to Norma, Untied features a powerful lineup of South African public figures, each sharing raw, unfiltered perspectives on the emotional toll of divorce. Reality TV stars Beverly Steyn and Nonku Williams, actresses Dawn Thandeka King, Mona Monyane and Palesa Madisakwane, media personality Zandi Nhlapo and model Sonia Booth all open up about how their lives were turned upside down after separating from the men they once believed would be there forever.

Watch the trailer for Untied

We sat down with Relebogile, who gave us the inside scoop on what to expect this season.

What made you decide to come on board as both presenter and producer of Untied?

It's actually quite a funny story because my company and I initially pitched for the show and didn’t get it. Later on, the team reached out to me to be the host. It only made sense that I would want to be a part of the producing team, being a behind-the-scenes person, so the universe truly aligned for this project. It's like it was meant to be.

Why is this platform important for women who have been through divorce?

There are many unspoken experiences, traumas, disappointments and more that remain quietly hidden and taboo to speak about, especially publicly. A platform of this nature, while it is a space for women to speak freely about their experiences of how they became Untied, also resonates with men because many of the experiences they speak of, like falling in love, getting hurt and being let down, are universal human experiences that everyone, married, single or divorced, can relate to. I truly believe that certain conversations drive healing, awareness and empowerment.

How does Untied stand apart from other talk shows that focus on relationships or celebrity culture?

Well, for starters, the premise is around divorce. We are specifically speaking about relationships, some that were very public, that became legally binding and ended. This show’s narrative is very specific and clear and focuses on the woman's perspective in the story.

What kinds of stories can viewers expect from Untied?

There’s a wide range of topics that will resonate with everyone, from infidelity to family hostility, loss, abuse, depression, and stories of survival, hope and rebirth.

We’ve all heard bits and pieces about the women featured on Untied. Was there a particular story or moment during filming that truly shocked or moved you?

I don't think there's a single episode where I was not shocked or moved just by the details and what some of these women have not just been through but have also overcome. My face completely gives me away. 

What has hosting Untied taught you about love, loss and starting over?

Hosting Untied has taught me that irrespective of where you come from, irrespective of where you are and who you are in life, not a single one of us is exempt from love in all its magnitude and depth, loss in all its pain and grief, and starting over, even when life forces us to do so without our consent.

Have there been moments during filming where you had to hold back tears or push through discomfort?

There was one particular moment where I absolutely struggled with holding back tears because it dealt with the loss of a child. As a parent, I cannot even begin to imagine what that does to a person. It's heartbreaking to think about how hard that was to live through.

How do you ensure Untied doesn’t slip into gossip TV territory, but stays rooted in healing, empowerment and truth?

I genuinely am extremely intentional about the space I create when having vulnerable conversations with people. Whether they are public figures or ordinary South Africans that the public have never heard of, I absolutely pride myself in using vulnerability as a superpower, because I am only able to have people open up to me if I am open to them. Not necessarily with my own story, but with my energy and my heart. I also do my best to keep things respectful, considerate, and mindful at all times.

Why do you think women are still judged more harshly than men after divorce, especially in the public eye?

Women will remain judged more harshly than men after the end of a marriage for as long as society continues to groom young girls to become women who are to be wives. This has created an expectation that a woman’s value and identity is directly tied to whether she can attract a man and then keep him at all costs. Young boys are not groomed to be husbands. Their entire identity does not revolve around being chosen, so when marriages end, if a woman's identity and value have been tied to cows and a ring on her finger, what does she have left, according to society?

How do you think Untied is going to shift the conversation around marriage, divorce and womanhood in South Africa?

We speak intimately about details that are often hidden behind shame, guilt and self-judgment. While conversations around relationships between men and women often focus on the differences and what men and women should be doing, I hope the show helps people rethink what marriage and love can be.

When you first started in the entertainment industry, did you ever imagine yourself navigating so many different lanes?

Definitely not. I always thought I would be this performer who is singing, dancing and acting on Broadway. Then, at some point, I was passionate about becoming a lawyer and fighting for people's rights. Then I wanted to be in business. While I didn't imagine that I would be mastering different lanes, I have always known that I have wanted to master the art of learning. I've always been curious, which has opened doors for me to explore.

What do you hope viewers take away from watching Untied?

I hope viewers are able to walk away a little more empathetic to the realities of certain lived experiences, but also use the opportunity to learn and make healthier, more loving choices for their relationships and themselves.

Untied premieres on Showmax on Tuesday, 24 June 2025.