"Inside Life: City Girls Are Up" is an eight-part series takes you inside the world of South Africa’s amapiano scene. Picture: Supplied
Image: Supplied
The world of reality TV has welcomed three new faces, Bontle Smith, Boohle and Thee Buhle, on “Inside Life: City Girls Are Up” where they show how they navigate their careers, personal lives, and the challenges of being women in the music industry.
Boohle is no stranger, known for her powerful vocals and chart-topping hits, and Bontle Smith, whose dynamic presence makes her a household name. Joining them is the talented 3-step DJ Thee Buhle, whose electrifying beats are taking dancefloors by storm.
“Inside Life: City Girls Are Up”, offers fans an intimate look into their world. In an exclusive interview, they shared their experiences filming the show, the difficulties of convincing family members to participate, and the lessons they learned about female collaboration.
Shooting a reality show is no small feat, and both Boohle and Bontle admitted that the process was more demanding than expected. Long hours, early mornings, and juggling their music careers with the intense filming schedule made for a challenging but rewarding experience.
“We never really thought about how much time goes into shooting a reality show. We sleep in the early hours of the morning as artists, and suddenly, we had to be up with just three hours of sleep for shooting,” Bontle Smith shared.
Boohle echoed the sentiment, saying, “It was quite weird at first, having cameras hovering around you all the time, but eventually, we warmed up. It was a new experience, and I enjoyed exploring something different.”
A major highlight of the show is the inclusion of their families. However, convincing their loved ones to be part of the show wasn’t easy.
“My mom was completely against it. She was like, ‘Cancel it. Run.’ I had to sit her down, beg her, and convince her to do it. My dad even threatened to leave town to avoid being on TV,” Boohle laughed. “But at the end of the day, they support me, so they eventually agreed.”
Bontle Smith and Boohle are no strangers to female collaborations, having worked with other women in the industry before. Their experience on the show reaffirmed the importance of women uplifting each other.
“We are trying to break the stereotype that women cannot work together without drama. We did it, and it was seamless,” Bontle Smith explained. “Just like with male artists, it’s all about energy and mutual understanding.”
Boohle added, “It’s about women's empowerment—getting close, sharing our challenges, and realizing that we all go through the same struggles. This show will benefit many women in the industry and inspire more collaborations.”
Although the artists were familiar with each other before the show, they had never spent extended time together. Yet, the connection came naturally.
“We didn’t need any ice-breaking exercises,” Bontle Smith noted. “We had been around each other’s spaces before, and our energies were pure. We were all excited to work together, which made everything easy.”
Boohle agreed, adding, “Meeting up as girls is never that hard. The conversation flows. We’re all cool people.”
The show provides an honest look into their lives, tackling topics like spirituality, industry challenges, and personal struggles.
“People sometimes think artists are not human, that we are supernatural beings. This show will prove that we go through the same things as everyone else,” Bontle Smith shared. “We cry, we struggle, and we deal with real-life issues just like our fans do.”
Boohle emphasized, “It’s not always glam and champagne. We have families to take care of, responsibilities, and personal challenges. This show makes us relatable.”
When asked about their favourite moments from filming, both artists pointed to a special luncheon scene.
“It was the most fun,” Bontle Smith said. “Just having all the ladies in one space, eating together, and showing that we all have a seat at the table.”
Boohle added, “We had influencers, content creators, and artists all together, proving once again that women can work together without drama.”
As they prepare for audience reactions, both artists admit to feeling excitement and anxiety. “People will always have something to say, but I’ve learned to stop reading negative comments. If they’re talking, it means they’re watching,” Boohle laughed.
Bontle Smith concluded, “At the end of the day, we are proud of what we’ve done. We hope people see the real us and feel inspired.”
With their reality show now on air, fans can look forward to a heartfelt journey of music, sisterhood, and the resilience of women in the entertainment industry.
"Inside Life: City Girls Are Up" airs on Saturdays at 18.00pm on channel 130 on DStv.
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