The Real Housewives franchise continues to expand globally, and it appears that the international reality franchise will be landing in East Africa as Kenya will likely be the new destination with The Real Housewives of Nairobi.
After years of reports of the show, casting for the Real Housewives of Nairobi has finally been completed, according to Standard Entertainment.
“Director In Heels Productions would like to announce that the casting of Real Housewives of Nairobi is complete. We cannot wait to unveil who the amazing housewives are. If you are a fan of the acclaimed Bravo franchise, be ready to enjoy a star-studded roller-coaster season of the newest addition of the real housewives family,” wrote the show’s executive producer Claire Ash Meadow on her social media handles.
In 2019, the production company behind the series, Director In Heels Productions aired a promotional clip on its YouTube Channel.
The 4 minute video was a quick dive onto the Nairobi affluent scene, shots of familiar highways and a glimpse at some of the would-be stars at their presumed auditions.
In the teaser, Sonal Maherali gives viewers a glimpse of her high-end home as well as a look at part of her designer collection.
Former miss Kenya Juliet Ochieng talks animatedly about why she loves Kenyan designer clothing.
“Kenyan designers make it perfect for you. And I don’t have to walk down the street and see someone else wearing what I’m wearing- I hate that!” says Ochieng.
The clip then cuts to Catherine Kariuki, a vlogger and image consultant who is popularly known as Fashionable Stepmom, as she giddily debates on her monologue about how high maintenance she is.
“To be honest, I like the good things in life- but not too much,” laughs Kariuki.
The show’s executive producer Claire Ash Meadow addressed the speculated casting and denied reports that the trio of Juliet Ochieng, Catherine Kariuki and Sonal Maherali, who appeared in the original audition tape, would be cast members.
“After seeing the success of Real Housewives of Johannesburg within my entertainment industry colleagues around the same time, I approached the executives from Real Housewives Of Johannesburg production team and NBCUniversal network and was advised to create an audition tape. Using my social network, I found and featured Sonal, Catherine and Juliet on this audition tape in early 2019. This audition tape was uploaded on Youtube to see audience reception of the franchise in Kenya and with that Real Housewives of Nairobi was born,” Meadow told Standard Entertainment on how the show began.
The producer did not reveal any of the cast members for the upcoming show, instead said that once she has liaised with NBCUniversal and the marketing team at the airing station, a public announcement would be made weeks before the first episode airs.
“Sonal and Catherine have gone ahead to launch and focus on their personal brands and businesses as well as Juliet who currently lives abroad in Belgium. I am grateful for their support towards making Queens Dreams a reality,” Meadow told the outlet.
Meadow further revealed that the first season of The Real Housewives of Nairobi would air on KTN Home, and this would be announced jointly once principal photography is complete. According to Standard Entertainment, the first season will hit TV screens as from post-Olympics 2021, the executive producer confirmed.
Photo Credit: Foxtel
