Showmax has just dropped the trailer for Born Into Fame, a reality show about growing up with famous parents.
The cast includes siblings AJ and Owamie Mafokate, who are Arthur Mafokate’s children; Phila Madlingozi, who is Ringo Madlingozi’s son; Robbie Malinga Jr, who is the late Robbie Malinga’s son; Shamiso Mosaka, who is Azania Mosaka’s daughter; and DJ Tira’s son, Tank The Rockstar.
Shamiso, who has been in the entertainment industry for a couple of years, is popularly known for her role as an MTV presenter and she recently added radio host to her resume with a show on YFM. Since wrapping up filming of Born Into Fame, Shamiso has been making headlines and she is ready to spill the tea on the show, her career and being called a nepo baby.
As a radio host and a VJ, why did you decide to join Born Into Fame?
I love reality television. Any reality TV show that has been put out, I have probably watched. I am a big fan of The Real Housewives and sometimes I have ideations of being a real housewife. So when Born Into Fame approached me, I was just like, ‘Wow, this is a medium I love.’
I am quite private but it came in a year where I told myself that this would be my yes year. This is an out-of-my-comfort zone year; this is the year that I wanted to challenge myself in what I do in the industry. So Born Into Fame aligned with that.
Now that you have shot the season, do you feel like you opened up?
I am private but I am transparent. I am open about my struggles, I am open about my mental health, I am open about my sexuality, so I am not really shy about a lot of things. There is very little that you can shame me about. The opening up was not the hard part: what will be hard is probably how people will perceive me. But the journey has taught me a lot.
Is your family involved in the show? Do they make a cameo?
Because the show is centred around being the children of famous parents, I do have scenes with my mom. I mean it is called Born Into Fame, so it was important to see the people that got us to the point where we can say we are born into fame.
As someone with a famous parent, do you feel like your mom’s success overshadows you?
No, I have never felt overshadowed.
Do you consider yourself a nepo baby?
No, not at all. I have the skills to back up where I am in life right now, so it is not solely based on who my mother is. I firmly believe that.
The spaces I have worked in have always been where my bosses and people can just see that this girl is dope. My talent has always come forward so no, I would not consider myself a nepo baby but I do know that people who aren’t as impressed with my talent will feel like I am where I am because of my mom.
I did not plan on being in the industry. I always wanted to keep myself as far away as possible from her image because we look so alike. I wanted to do different things where my skill set and talent cannot be compared to hers because I just never wanted to be in her shadow.
Now that I have found my way here, everything I have done in the industry has not had anything to do with my mom. I am not saying it hasn’t affected people knowing me but in terms of me walking in a room and using my mom, that has not happened. I am very proud of myself because everything I have done has been on my own merit, despite what people may think.
Does Born Into Fame show your lives as they truly are?
Yes, it does. It shows our lives in their purest form. It’s not polished. It’s not glamorised. It is not a show based on wealth, for example. With our show, you get to see the real sh*t, as it is. It shows that our lives are not perfect and I think people will connect with that.
Why should people watch Born Into Fame?
People should watch because it is a first of its kind in many ways. I have never seen a reality show that has a predominantly male cast. And people have seen the children of celebrities when the show is about parents but now it is about the kids, their struggles and the steps we have all taken to establish ourselves respectively in our own crafts and own lives. Honestly, it is a fun show. It is not your typical reality show. If you are looking for mad drama and all of that stuff, you will get what you want, and if you want to see it in a wholesome view, you will get what you want. It is a well-rounded show that has the right amount of drama but loads of fun.
Since you are a big fan of housewives, who is your favourite on The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa?
I love Christall so much. She is hilarious, and she is reality gold. I think Nonku is reality TV gold as well. But if I was there in person, I would get along most with Mel: she is fabulous. She is stunning and she seems like the type of girl I would have a good time with.
The Showmax Original is being produced by GOAT Productions, the team behind The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa, the most popular title on the African streaming service currently.
Stream Born Into Fame from 18 June 2024, with new episodes on Tuesdays.
