A STAR IS BORN

4 January when Karmen has a another blow-out. Vanessa is furious and upset and her emotions are out of control – she’s even refusing to change out of her PJs. “She is late for a meeting and just wants to give up,” says ingrid. Vanessa phones Xander to help with Karmen but he also gets nowhere with the child and Karmen tosses away the replacement mask he bought her. She wants “her Tjattas mask and only that will do,” explains Ingrid. Ingrid jokes that little Gabriella, the four-year-old who plays Karmen, calls her “TV Mommy” on set. “When we were filming the toy breaking scenes, Gaby was aware that it wasn’t real and that it was play-play,” says Ingrid. The 7de Laan cast are protective over Gabriella and make sure that she’s praised and given attention after every scene.

SILENCE IN COURT

The concerned parents chat on Friday 5 January and consider taking Karmen to a child psychologist to get professional help. “They have to do something before they lose her forever,” says Ingrid. Karmen’s behaviour doesn’t improve and Ingrid says that by Monday 8 January, “Karmen is giving her mother the silent treatment like a spoilt brat. She is striding around the apartment and making a mess on purpose because it affects her mom and she knows exactly what she’s doing.”

TEST OF PATIENCE

The problem child tests Vanessa’s breaking point on Tuesday 9 January when she purposely breaks her toys and then throws her breakfast at her mother. “Vanessa’s patience is almost used up and she knows that she has to discipline Karmen, but if she’s too firm, it will have a negative impact on an already-troubled situation,” says Ingrid. And it seems that Vanessa’s problems are going to worsen later that day. This missing mask is the cause of Karmen’s drama.