Lenore from The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice on her heritage

In her own words, Lenore tells us about her experience filming The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice, now streaming on Showmax.

Lenore from The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice tells us about the cast members that are different on and off-camera, and how she feels being asked about her heritage.

What was your first impression of all the ladies?

When I first met the ladies, I was struck by how friendly each person was. Everyone brought something unique to the table, and it was clear from the beginning that we all had different backgrounds and perspectives. 

There was an initial mix of excitement and nervousness, but as we started to interact, I quickly realized how supportive and inspiring some of the group was. It was evident that some of us were there to contribute our best and that made the experience all the more enriching.

Watching the episodes, is there anything you would like to clarify?

I have never claimed to be an Indian woman, but I have acknowledged my Indian heritage amongst all my other heritages, those being Zulu, Xhosa and Scottish. I am a very proud and confident coloured woman.

I also don’t have an issue in questions about my heritage, race, etcetera, being asked, but it’s also how it is asked that determines the response. I will always, with love and kindness, speak out against any form of degradation, especially with discriminatory undertones.

Who of the ladies do you gravitate towards the most?

I have naturally gravitated to Devina, Neetasha and Asharia the most. They are just genuine, loving and humble human beings with no airs or graces. What you see is what you get! We really connect on a personal level and have built a great friendship both on and off camera.

Which of the ladies are different on and off-camera and how are they different?

Some of the ladies definitely have different personas on- and off-camera.

I believe in being authentic and not just shooting a scene for the purpose of “content”. 

The audience can see through the “content” shooting and the real and authentic scenes.

You can’t say something on camera and then off camera, you try to defend and justify your comments or behaviour  by saying “it was just for the camera or it was just for content.”

Please, let the audience see us for who we truly are!

The biggest lesson you learnt about yourself while filming?

The biggest lesson I learned about myself while filming was the importance of embracing vulnerability. Being in the spotlight and sharing personal experiences with others forced me to confront and express feelings that I might have not otherwise shared.

I discovered that allowing myself to be open and honest not only helped me grow emotionally, but also strengthened my connections and relationships with some of the ladies. This experience taught me that true growth comes from stepping out of your comfort zone and remaining authentic and true to oneself, even when it feels challenging.

How do people treat you now that you’re on a TV show?

The reaction is overwhelmingly supportive. I am truly humbled by the loving and supportive messages that I receive. Being stopped and asked to take pictures is also humbling.  With all the attention, I remain genuine and true to myself. I am just Lenore.

What can viewers expect in the upcoming episodes?

Viewers can look forward to a lot of excitement, drama and emotional moments in the upcoming episodes. We’ve had some incredible experiences and challenges that really tested our teamwork and personal growth. The episodes will showcase not just the highs and lows of our journey, but also the deep connections that some of us have formed and the personal transformations we’ve undergone. It’s going to be a rollercoaster of emotions and I hope the audience enjoys watching our stories unfold, as much as we enjoyed living it.

Which of your castmates are sugar and which ones are spice?

Some cast members decided to form cliques in order to team up with the purpose of driving a certain narrative.  That was designed “sugar and spice”, and not authentic. You then had some moms where what you see is what you get, being real and their authentic selves, with a combination of sugar and spice.

New episodes of The Mommy Club: Sugar & Spice land on Showmax every Thursday.