Mel Viljoen spills the tea on the ‘Real Housewives Ultimates Girls Trip – South Africa’

Reality star, business owner and celebrity nail artist Melany “Mel” Viljoen is diving into what fans can expect from her in Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa, which releases on Showmax on Monday 27 May.

Melany “Mel” Viljoen is one of eight housewives starring on the Real Housewives spin-off Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa. The series features ladies, who starred in various different South African Real Housewives series, including Durban, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town and Gqeberha.

Mel Viljoen is best known as the owner of Tammy Taylor Nails South Africa and is married to lawyer Petrus “Peet” Viljoen. Mel is the only housewife on Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa that is married.

Mel and her husband both starred on the first season of the Real Housewives of Pretoria, which was broadcasted on KykNet.

Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa was shot in a luxurious villa in Jamaica, where the ladies stayed for two weeks while shooting. Mel explained that she was raw and honest on the series. She also expressed that she had to work with a few challenges.

“Viewers can expect a raw and honest representation of myself. The production company stacked the odds against me by booking three housewives in the same five star hotel to bond and form an alliance against me, and booking me thirty kilometers away from the alliance in a three star retirement-type resort. The drama was real,” she said.

“I had to adjust to argue with three women at once. The alliance always managed to shout at the same time as if rehearsed. I raised my arguments, instead of my voice,” she continued.

On a lighter note, Mel expressed that she loved visiting the picturesque country of Jamaica.

“⁠Jamaica is an awesome destination for holiday. The Villa we stayed in costs about R1 million per week. The turquoise water was heated and we swam in it on horseback. The people are friendly. The food is out of this world,” she gushed.

She also revealed that there was no shortage of drama on the show and teased a little more about the other ladies.

“Filming the show was much like real life. Lots of drama, disagreements and jealousy, but also great views, new relationships and fun. We must suffer the difficulties with pride, and make more of the beautiful peaceful moments. The production will be Hollywood standard for sure,” she said.

As seen in the trailer of the series, Mel butts heads with Real Housewives of Cape Town star Beverly Steyn.

“I gave more gossip than one pot of tea can handle, but will add that my values clashed with Beverly Steyn during production. It is public knowledge that her 3x-husband had an affair with her daughter, and it reminded me of the television show, Jerry Springer. The public will be glued to their seats,” she added.

Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa releases on Showmax on Monday 27 May 2024.