‘Rich Kids’ could be canned after claims episode was fake
MI Casa leading man Joao da Fonseca could find one of his productions being axed from Vuzu Amp after an episode of Rich Kids was slated for being “fake”.
The singer, popularly known as J’Something, and his business partner, Dale Herbst, faced massive criticism on social me- dia after the airing of the fourth episode of the show, featuring Angolan-born Alekssandre Fortunato.
M-Net chairwoman Yolisa Phahle said: “We are aware of the commentary around Vuzu Amp’s reality show Rich Kids. We are engaging with all parties involved to establish the veracity of the claims made.”
The show, which exposes the lavish lives of South Africa’s rich kids, on Thursday showcased 25-year-old Fortunato, who calls himself a reality star, model and club promoter.
He claimed that a mansion in Woodmead, northern Johannesburg, belonging to businessman Andre Michael Sari, was his.
He was also seen splashing R300 000 on clothing, getting a spa treatment and buying paint- ings from an unknown gallery in Sandton.
This, according to several people, is said to be a lie.
Lesang Tshoke, a friend of Sari’s, said: “That is not Alekssandre’s house, that is Andre’s house. A few weeks ago, he [Fortunato] asked Andre to shoot at his house, but never divulged what he wanted to shoot and Andre was OK with this because Andre has used his house for music videos and shoots in the past.”
Neither Da Fonseca nor Fortunato could be reached for comment.
Herbst initially refused to comment, but yesterday took to Twitter, saying: “[The] matter came to me near to broadcast, after which I had little power to change anything.” He said their attorneys were dealing with it.
“We have worked hard on this show and being lied to is not easy. There absolutely was a check and full research pack on this episode, but unfortunately we can’t predict certain lies.”
By Friday, the station had taken steps to ensure the episode would not be rebroadcast, while traces of Fortunato’s episode were removed.
HOT SEAT: Joao da Fonseca