Rhythm City

Weekdays e.tv (*194) 19:00 Soapie

When the cameras stop rolling on popstar Reneilwe’s (Amo Chidi) reality show (read more on p24), she takes off her make-up and her mask. “Not only can she breathe again, she can be herself,” says Amo. To Reneilwe’s loved ones, she’s a singer who fought to get her dream. But to her fans, she’s Electra the performer who was named in 2017 by her ex manager Kwela (Themba Nofemele) for her “electric” songs. “Renei’s fans think that she has it all, that she is this mega celebrity in glitzy costumes. But behind the scenes, she is normal girl, with fears and insecurities,” adds the actress.

One insecurity that her reality show highlights tonight is her weight issues. “She has a difficult time accepting the backlash on social media,” says Amo. Besides trolls fat shamming her, Renei has to deal with memes and gifs [viral images] about being overweight. “They really tear her apart! These trolls call her all sorts of names and it affects her psychologically. It’s not nice at all.”

The one piece of solace she has on her reality show is that she’s protected by her radio host friend Mampho and childhood bestie Sindiswa (Itumeleng Bokaba and Mbali Zakwe). “A typical day starts with Renei recording a track or two and interviews with journalists. Then she will unwind at nightclubs like Zero11 or go home to relax and chat to her fans over the camera.” Amo confesses a reality show is something she’ll never be able to do. “I am too private. Renei goes through a lot with everyone watching her every move. It seems exhausting”.