LIVE.LAUGH, LOVE LIZ

From the couch, we think we know it all: the drama, the sincerity, the conflict and the vulnerability. But what is it like to put yourself out there on a reality TV show — and then go back to ‘real life’? Christi Nortier spoke to Liz Prins of The Real Housewives of South Africa to get her take on it.

- Liz Prins

Just when life handed Liz Prins a whole bag of lemons and then some, she decided to squeeze the juice and savour it. She joined the cast of The Real Housewives of Gqeberha and took it up a notch by joining The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip to Jamaica a year later. She quickly became a fan favourite for her sharp sense of humour and saying it like it is. Off screen, the Cape Town-born mother of three manages her own construction business in between running marathons around the world.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO BECOME WELLKNOWN THROUGH THE SHOWS?

At first, it was very daunting for me to open up my life and family to the public, and also to the other six ladies. I was going through an awful break-up at the time, and at first, I said I wouldn't be in the show. But then I thought: 'You know what? This show is just what I need to get my mind off of things.' I went in there and opened up. I wanted to be authentic - I wasn't portraying someone else on TV because, trust me, the viewers can tell.

I opened up a lot about my family. For instance, my one daughter was married With two kids and got divorced. She then told me that she’s gay. I spoke about it on the show and said how much I love her and her partner, and that sexuality doesn’t matter to me. It felt freeing to say it on national TV and it meant a lot to her.

HOW DID THE SHOW IMPACT YOUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH YOURSELF & FAMILY?