Zimkitha

19 July 2024

Born into Fame S1: AJ and Shamiso share an emotional moment

AJ is still trying to come to terms with losing one of his close friends, Tumi Tladi. The artist passed away in 2022 and life has not been the same for those who loved him. While the stars of the new Showmax reality series, Born into Fame, were at a party, AJ decided to give them gifts as a sweet gesture. He gave everyone something special and said a short speech with each present.

When he got to Shamiso, AJ spoke about the passing of their dear friend, Tumi. “Today was the first time when we came together, but Tumi Tladi – the late Tumi – the things he said about you before I met you, it was special,” he told Shamiso.

AJ breaks down

AJ got emotional as he spoke about the different battles people are facing. “We all deal with different stuff, man. We all go through a lot of things, and we lose people along the way. And it’s just tough, man.”

His sister, Owami, was touch and taken about as this was her first she had seeing him crying. AJ continued: “It’s just so tough. We stand here and we act like it’s all good, we have it together. But the truth of the matter is it’s a lot, man.” Phila wasn’t sure how to react to AJ’s tears and the things he was sharing. He said: “He’s [AJ] making it very awkward for us. Now we don’t know what to do. Does he want hugs? What does he want?”

Owami, on the other hand, understood where his older brother was coming from. “But I could get it. I mean, he lost a friend. With him seeing Shamiso with that exact same person, they both share that same grief,” she said.

Gone, but not forgotten

Shamiso got up and gave AJ a hug. She said: “I’m definitely glad that AJ is holding that space and that he is open enough to cry and express himself about such things because it is difficult,” Shamiso said in her diary session.

Although this was a heavy moment, Shamiso could relate to AJ and expressed: “I understand like… I’ve known Tumi since high school.” She told AJ: “You’re honouring him every day. It’s been some time since he passed, and you are keeping his memory alive.” AJ mentioned that he honours his late friend’s memory because people forget and move on to the next person who passes on.

Catch new episodes of Born into Fame every Tuesday on Showmax.

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