Mel Viljoen from The Real Housewives franchise on Unfollowed

The second season of Unfollowed is now streaming on Showmax, hosted by broadcaster Spitch Nzawumbi. One of the ten most streamed local titles on Showmax last year, the candid talk show delves into the personal and professional effects of cancel culture on South African celebrities.

The first guest in the hot seat this season is Mel Viljoen, who gained widespread fame as a cast member on The Real Housewives of Pretoria. Since then, her personal life and business, Tammy Taylor Nails, have been surrounded by numerous accusations. 

Watch the trailer for Unfollowed S2

We sat down with The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: South Africa star, who opened up about her reasons for joining the new talk show, the controversies surrounding her, and how being “unfollowed” has profoundly impacted her life.

Why did you say yes to being on Unfollowed?

Myself and my brand nearly got cancelled by false and unbalanced media reports. Carte Blanche in a recorded interview endorsed Tammy Taylor Nails, yet published the opposite. 

Unfollowed puts social media on trial, and I felt safe that my message would be covered without fear or favour.

What did you learn about yourself through the experiences you shared in Unfollowed?

Mostly I learned that you cannot please all of the people all of the time. You will only be brought down by people that have achieved less than yourself. I discovered that you never know how strong you are until strong is the only option left.

In hindsight, is there anything you wish you had done differently on Unfollowed?

I honestly believe that if you won’t fight for what you want, you should not cry over what you’ve lost. I got angry when the presenter spoke over my husband. I would not change much. I gave an accurate account of myself and my values.

How has sharing your story impacted your personal life and relationships?
I feel somewhat vindicated after sharing my story. All I can hope for is that the essence of my story was captured in the final edit.

How have you managed the emotional weight of your experiences?

Media has treated myself and my brand less than honestly. Almost as if I was a gladiator in the Roman colosseum fighting for my life, knowing the odds were deceitfully stacked against survival. I have managed to compartmentalise experiences into categories I can control, or not. I pay only attention to the business that pays me.

How have you dealt with any public criticism from the allegations?

Ironically I spent too much time and money trying to please people that we don’t do business with. Educated people are not easily fooled by false media. The fools that swallow any bad media are seldom interested in the truth. I am not special. I cannot expect to be the cup of tea of every soul.

Are there people you hope to reconcile with or rebuild relationships with after they hear your story?

My honest wish is that women that have been deceived by dishonest media give my brand another chance. Women are silenced too easily. We are still seen as the Louis Vuitton of nails. One day I would love to understand the emotional meltdown of Tammy Rae Taylor when I showed up at her office recently to mend fences.

What do you hope viewers will take away from your story?

Hopefully business people will see that kindness and weakness are not to be confused. I am a fierce woman with a kind heart. I say what I do, and do what I say. Women have to be twice as strong as men to survive in business. I have just celebrated a decade in business, and hopefully, I will be seen as a good franchising partner.

What’s more intense, The Real Housewives or Unfollowed?

The Real Housewives is designed to entertain. Conflict is planted constantly to expose flaws in your character. On Housewives, I had to operate in a fight or flight mode without pause. 

Unfollowed is a documentary. No trickery, but it still feels like playing chess at a hundred miles per second. 

The Real Housewives is more intense because only your worst performances make for entertainment.

Why should people watch Unfollowed?

Unfollowed seems to address concerns that touch everyone every day. People are bullied from an early age and, for some, it never stops. Everyone is fighting a battle we know nothing about. Hopefully, I will reach one woman who wants to quit her struggle but is given hope when she sees how I had no option but to walk into the mouth of a lion and pull up a chair.

Mel Viljoen isn’t the only celebrity getting real about the scandals that changed their lives. Joining her are radio host Ngizwe Mchunu, Bongani Fassie (Brenda Fassie’s son), traditional healer and DJ Gogo Skhothane, hip-hop star Pitch Black Afro, media personality Bujy Bikwa, radio icon Linda Sibiya, and Pastor Mboro. Each one bares their soul, revealing the devastating impact of shattered reputations and careers teetering on the edge.

While you wait for new episodes of S2 every Wednesday, binge the first season of Unfollowed on Showmax.

Join the conversation: #UnfollowedS2