Young, Famous & African | |
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Genre | Reality television |
Created by |
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Starring | |
Country of origin | South Africa |
Original language | English |
No. of series | 3 |
No. of episodes | 16 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Production location | Johannesburg |
Camera setup | Multi-camera |
Original release | |
Network | Netflix |
Release | 18 March 2022 – present |
Young, Famous & African is an African reality television series on Netflix, [1] starring African stars Khanyi Mbau, Ini Edo, Annie Macaulay-Idibia, Zari Hassan, Diamond Platnumz, Andile Ncube, Swanky Jerry, Naked DJ, Nadia Nakai, Luis Munana, Kayleigh Schwark, Fantana and 2Baba. [2] [3] The show focused on building careers, looking for love, and rekindling old flames of famous media personalities from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Nigeria, Uganda and Tanzania. [4]
As Netflix's first African reality series, it premiered on 18 March 2022. [5]
The show follows a group of friends who are African entertainers and A-listers as they go about their lives having fun, flirting and fighting in Johannesburg, South Africa.
They hail from five African countries. South African actress and media personality Khanyi Mbau is the central character of the group who is in a relationship with a Zimbabwean businessman. Separated couple Diamond Platnumz from Tanzania and his ex-girlfriend, South African-based Ugandan businesswoman Zari Hassan navigate their post-separation relationship, moving on and co-parenting.
Nigerian model Annie Macaulay-Idibia and her musician husband 2Baba deal with issues of previous infidelity and restoration. Nigerian fashion stylist Swanky Jerry is another central character who often appears as a peacemaker in the group.
South African rapper Nadia Nakai who is in a long-distance relationship, and single guy and broadcaster Andile Ncube also feature as potential love interests of other cast members.
Twice-divorced South African Naked DJ and his footballer girlfriend Kayleigh Schwark go through the challenges of dating life and their 12-year age gap. [6] [7]
Person | Season 1 | Season 2 | Season 3 |
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Khanyi Mbau | Yes | Yes | Guest |
Diamond Platnumz | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Naked DJ | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Zari Hassan | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Swanky Jerry | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Andile Ncube | Yes | Yes | No |
Annie Macaluay | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Nadia Nakai | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kayleigh Schwark | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Fantana | No | Yes | Yes |
Luis Munana | No | Yes | Yes |
Bonang Matheba | No | Recurring | Guest |
2Baba | Recurring | Recurring | Guest |
Kefilwe Mabote | No | No | Yes |
Shakib | No | No | Yes |
Ini Edo | No | No | Yes |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date [8] | |
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1 | 1 | "Welcome to South Africa" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
Queen of bling Khanyi Mbau throws a ball for her friends; Diamond Platnumz's heartbreak emerges as he woos Nadia Nakai; parenting talk gets intense. | |||||
2 | 2 | "The Newcomer" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
Diamond hands the wheel to Nadia as they shop; Khanyi and Annie Macaulay-Idibia clash; Kayleigh Schwark spills about life with Naked DJ. | |||||
3 | 3 | "Love Is in the Air" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
Zari makes a splash at a soiree; Diamond gets called out by Naked, who spars with Khanyi; a loved one shows up. | |||||
4 | 4 | "Bye, Bitch!" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
African queens are on a collision course; Annie shares her joy, but Zari takes 2Face to the side; Andile Ncube assembles all his friends including his two baby mamas for a posh party. | |||||
5 | 5 | "Faceoff" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
Entanglements turn explosive, Zari confides in Khanyi, Annie gossips with Swanky and Nadia, and Andile makes time for love. | |||||
6 | 6 | "Murder on the Blue Train" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
Zari invites the squad on a luxury train trip; awkwardness -- and lions -- rattle the crew; Nadia has big news. | |||||
7 | 7 | "Wedding Bells" |
| 18 March 2022 | |
A lavish vow renewal approaches; the men shift gears for a speedy bachelor party while Swanky shakes up a tense bachelorette party. |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date [8] |
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8 | 1 | "Awkward Reunions" |
| 19 May 2023 |
9 | 2 | "Masks Off" |
| 19 May 2023 |
10 | 3 | "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" |
| 19 May 2023 |
11 | 4 | "The Queen B" |
| 19 May 2023 |
12 | 5 | "Showdown" |
| 19 May 2023 |
13 | 6 | "Oh Baby!" |
| 19 May 2023 |
14 | 7 | "Trailer Proposal" |
| 19 May 2023 |
15 | 8 | "Gloves Off" |
| 19 May 2023 |
16 | 9 | "Trials and Tribulations" |
| 19 May 2023 |
No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date [9] |
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8 | 1 | "Loves's in the air" |
| 17 January 2025 |
9 | 2 | "Boundaries? Boundaries!" |
| 17 January 2025 |
10 | 3 | "Showdown" |
| 17 January 2025 |
11 | 4 | "Who Rules the Jungle?" |
| 17 January 2025 |
12 | 5 | "Oh Baby!" |
| 17 January 2025 |
13 | 6 | "Shots Fired" |
| 17 January 2025 |
14 | 7 | "Something's Cooking" |
| 17 January 2025 |
15 | 8 | "Breakups and Makeups" |
| 17 January 2025 |
On 22 June 2021, Netflix partnered with the creator and executive producer, Peace Hyde, to produce its first African reality series. [10] On 25 September 2021, Netflix premiered Young, Famous & African at Tudum: A Global Fan Event in Brazil, among 60 Netflix Originals. [11]
On 14 February 2022, the official trailer was released on Netflix's YouTube channel. [12] The show premiered on 18 March. [13]
The third season premiered on January 17, 2025, with South African content creator Kefilwe Mabote, iconic Nigerian actress Ini Edo, and Ugandan boxer and entrepreneur Shakib Lutaaya joining the cast.< [9]
Year | Award | Category | Recipient(s) | Result | Ref. |
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2022 | African Entertainment Awards USA | Best Reality TV Shows | Young, Famous & African | Won | |
2023 | National Film & TV Awards South Africa | Best Reality TV Show | Young, Famous & African | Won |