What Makes a Reality Show Succeed? A Look at Young, Famous & African
AFI Insider
A successful reality show needs three key ingredients: a touch of delusional drama, great fashion, and a solid dose of reality. Unfortunately, the latest season of Young, Famous & African falls short on that last, crucial element.
When Netflix announced the premise of Young, Famous & African in 2021, it promised to showcase the lives of Africa’s most successful young stars to a global audience. The format—described as a real-life soap opera—followed a group of affluent, A-list media personalities from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, and Tanzania.
When the first season eventually launched in 2022, it delivered some elements of fashion and drama, with the cast embracing a telenovela-like flair for conflict and theatrics.
However, the lack of genuine personal connections among the cast members—Khanyi Mbau, Swanky Jerry, Andile Ncube, Naked DJ, Zari Hassan, Nadia Nakai, Diamond Platnumz, 2Face Idibia, and Annie Macaulay-Idibia—was evident. They simply didn’t know each other well, and it showed.
Even though we wished that there were better locations and interactions, the second season made slight improvements, with better chemistry and the addition of new faces like South Africa's Bonang Matheba, Luis Munana from Namibia, and Ghanaian rapper Fantana, to widen the pool of Pan-African stars on the show.
Yet, a key element remained missing: the reason they’re famous.
The magic of a reality show lies in giving the audience a glimpse into the real lives of its stars. Viewers want to know why these personalities were chosen, what makes them special, and why they’re worth watching.
Nadia Nakia, Swanky Jerry, Ini Edo in a scene from Netflix's Young Famous and African Season 3. Photo by Netflix
Season three, which premiered earlier this year, highlights this flaw more than ever. While we know of some of the stars—Diamond Platnumz, 2Face Idibia, and Nadia Nakai are musicians; Swanky Jerry is a stylist; Kefilwe Mabote is a luxury influencer; and Ini Edo is an acclaimed actress—we don’t see why they’re famous.
Where are the moments that showcase their craft? Nadia in the studio working on new music, Swanky coordinating a red-carpet look for a client, Naked DJ on-air at his radio show, Luis Munana planning Windhoek Fashion Week, or Fantana recording or performing a song—these are the scenes we need. Without them, the audience is left wondering about the authenticity of their fame.
Annie Idibia, Nadia Nakai, and Kefilwe Mabote, the stars of Netflix's Young, Famous and African Season 3. Photos by Netflix
The show is designed to appeal to a global audience, aiming to reshape perceptions of Africa (see Dubai Bling), showcase the continent’s wealth and talent, and spark interest in tourism. But it misses an opportunity by not grounding its stars in their professional lives and home countries.
Imagine the impact of an opening episode where we see each cast member in their element—thriving in their industries and showcasing the unique vibrancy of their home countries—before they come together in Johannesburg to live out their socialite adventures. This would not only make the show more engaging but also give viewers a reason to invest in the characters.
Swanky Jerry, Zari Hassan and Shakib and Ini Edo in scenes from the third season of Young, Famous and African. Photo by Netflix
A healthy dose of reality is what’s needed to elevate Young, Famous & African. It’s not enough to be famous; the show must highlight why these individuals are worth our attention.
Lastly, it might be time to refresh the cast. A younger, fresher lineup could better reflect the title and resonate with audiences hungry for authentic representation of Africa’s rising stars.
Without these changes, the show risks losing its appeal and missing out on the longevity it aspires to achieve.
We trust that Peace Hyde, the creator and executive producer of the show, will make sure that this doesn't happen.