Mihlali Ndamase's appearance on Showmax's Unfollowed has drawn criticism from social media users. Picture:mihlalii_n/Instagram
The netizens have voiced their opinions on the latest episode of Showmax‘s Unfollowed where news anchor Thembekile Mrototo interviewed content creator Mihlali Ndamase, declaring it unnecessary.
“I really don’t think #Unfollowed was the right show for Mihlali. Look at the other guests in that show and the level of being ‘cancelled’ and look at her. She was extremely bullied but cancelled? I don’t think so,” tweeted one Witch Namhla.
Each week, Unfollowed takes viewers on journey to meet South African stars who are wrestling with life after social media death.
In the latest episode, Instagram influencer and make-up artist Mihlali faces Mrototo’s questions about home wrecking, gold digging, and alleged assault.
The 26 year-old Mihlali is a YouTube sensation that has grown a following through her beauty tutorials on the video platform.
In 2019 she was named as one of the highest earning YouTubers in the country, with more than 2 million followers on Instagram.
“I made a video, first time was in 2016 and I think I’ve always had a passion for beauty growing up,” said Mihlali in the opening stages of the interview.
The influencer started getting uncomfortable when asked about her relationship with businessman Leeroy Sidambe, who is going through a divorce. The relationship has led to Mihlali being called a home wrecker.
“The only thing I will say about that is that when people have nothing to come at you about then they are going to find something to constantly dig at you,” said Mihlali.
“They are going to try to find something that may be a weakness that they’ll constantly dig at you, and honestly people’s opinions have nothing to do with my reality. I’m in a happy relationship, and I’m very much in love and that’s all people should know.”
When Mrototo asked her, “Why a married man?” she responded by saying, “Oh, no, darling. It’s not my place to wait. I’m not the one who’s married. It is him who decided that he wants to find a partner and date someone.”
She also denied she was in the relationship with the entrepreneur because of financial reasons.
“I’ve got my own money! Are you mad?… There’s a lot of men with money in the world. But do they respect women?”
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Mihlali denied assaulting blogger Musawenkosi Khawula, who leaked her phone number and address online, petitioned for brands to cut ties with her, and insulted her mother.
“Have you seen me assaulting anyone?” Mihlali asked mischievously. “I don’t know who that is. All I’m gonna say is, if you come for my family, I will come for you. Full stop. Next question,” she responded.
The premise of the show gives viewers and cancelled celebs an opportunity to reflect on cancel culture and its place in pop culture – a chance to interrogate whether it is the best way to deal with people who have been deemed problematic.
But Mihlali has not faced being cancelled the way previous guests on the show were treated like what happened to Jub Jub and Toll A$$ Mo.
“Her episode of #Unfollowed showed me something I neglected because of her social media presence, she is very much still a child, still young. Her answers to the questions about that guy, his divorce, kids etc. were a light bulb moment for me, very puerile. I feel bad for her,” @NoxCPoxC said.
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