Slay Queens explores South Africa’s soft life culture and the women behind it
Katlego Sekhu
Showmax has released the trailer for Slay Queens, a five-part documentary series exploring the lives of women chasing the soft life by any means necessary.
The Showmax Original comes from executive producer Vusi Zion and his creative collective, Kaimal Pictures, the team behind Soft Life. With Slay Queens, Zion turns his lens towards one of South Africa’s most talked-about subcultures.
“Slay Queens was born from a need to hold up a mirror to a world we often speak about in whispers, memes, or judgment, but rarely listen to directly,” says Vusi, who wanted to tell the story from all perspectives.
“I was inspired by the courage of women who live these realities every day, by the men and communities affected, and by the silence surrounding their truths. My role as a filmmaker is not to sanitise or sensationalise but to create a platform where voices that are usually dismissed or caricatured can be heard in their full complexity.”
Slay Queens features both the women living this lifestyle and the men who move within it, sharing their stories in their own words. The series also includes some of the most recognisable voices shaping the conversation around the “slay queen” phenomenon.
DJ and influencer Cyan Boujee opens up about life in the spotlight, offering a rare glimpse behind her glamorous image. She speaks candidly about the pressure to stay relevant, the personal cost of fame, and the misconceptions that come with her name.
Amapiano star Mr JazziQ shares his perspective as both an artist and nightclub owner. As the man behind Jozi’s popular Vibes on Main, he has witnessed the nightlife culture up close, where slay queens are not just a presence but a driving force.
Author and media personality Jackie Phamotse, known for her bestselling book Bare, brings her own lived experience as a self-proclaimed former slay queen. She reflects on the emotional toll of chasing wealth and status, and the courage it took to walk away from that life.
Adding an analytical lens is Lebohang Masango, anthropologist and author of The Soft Life: Love, Choice and Modern Dating. Drawing from her academic research, she unpacks the economic and cultural forces behind the rise of the slay queen, from transactional relationships to the pursuit of independence in an unequal society.
The documentary also features insights from everyday voices who orbit this world, including a sangoma, an Uber driver, and a nightclub promoter, each offering a glimpse into how deep the culture runs.
“Slay Queens doesn’t just document a lifestyle, it challenges the systems, stories, and stereotypes behind it,” adds Vusi. “It shines a light on those who live, critique, and capitalise on the slay queen era.”
Slay Queens premieres on Showmax on 31 October, with new episodes dropping every Friday.
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