On January 14, TV in Uganda was introduced to a bougie, larger-than-life reality TV show dubbed Kampala Creme – the first of its kind by a local cast, if you may.
Premiered in Kampala at a grandeur event, with socialites and media faces Gloria Mulunji a.k.a Baby Gloria, Zahara Toto, Etania “Life of the Party” Mutoni and entrepreneur Deborah Nantongo alias Mami Deb, presented as the main cast, the show undoubtedly promised everything glamour, captivating stories, drama, and quite frankly, it would deliver on the drama.
If the buzz on social media is any to go by, the first four episodes of Kampala Creme, which airs every Sunday on DSTV’s Pearl Magic Prime, may prove that the show has, indeed, already lived up to its billing.
Until Baby Gloria went off script, pulling the carpet from under the producers’ feet due to the concerns she had with the script.
In her latest statement, she has come out to cite not being appreciated, favoritism and disrespect as some of the issues that prompted her decision to leave DStv’s newest reality TV show, saying this toxic work environment caused her trauma.
The influencer and singer opened a can of worms last week after she alleged that the show was heavily scripted, so much so that sometimes she was asked to fake crying. Which she did.
“The whole storyline was based off lies and a script,” the 22-year wrote on her Snapchat.
“I’m moving out of the show,” she added.
She alleged that the producers were in the habit of eliminating certain scenes with an intention of projecting the rest of the cast – Etania, are Mami Deb and Zahara Toto – in good light.
Given the history of stunts in Uganda’s entertainment business, it was easy to dismiss this diatribe at first glance. And, indeed, many dismissed it for what they thought it was; a gimmick to promote the show.
Even when Gloria’s co-stars Etania and Mami Deb came out to quash her claims, it was still hard to convince some fans that hey, this time, someone is actually not pulling any legs.
“Going on social media platforms and lying through your teeth is some nasty work. No one told anyone to cry please. Let’s not lie” said Etania in a video on her X account.
“Should we spill the tea about what is fake and what’s not? Some of us have receipts, do not start something you cannot finish,” the back-and-forth exchange went on, this from Mami Deb.
Multichoice speaks out
It wasn’t until PayTv giant, Multichoice, who executive produce the series, released a statement on Thursday, that it dawned on Kampala Creme fans that the impasse wasn’t a mere stunt.
In the statement which confirmed that Baby Gloria was quitting the show, Multichoice lauded the young actress for gracing the show with her “infectious personality”.
“Gloria’s departure from the Kampala Creme marks the sunset of her career and the start of a new era for the show, and we want to extend our sincere thanks to her for being a part of this journey,” said Margaret Mathole, the Channel Head
This closed the doors on what Gloria hoped to be a perfect start to her reality TV career, something she had bared in her dreams for a while.
Regarding the fate of Gloria’s replacement and who that is likely to be, the Content Director of the show – Judithiana Namazzi still remains adamant about commenting, from the Multichoice team, when reached out for a comment about the same, they said: “We are sorting it out”
Set in Kampala, Kampala Crème is produced by Kenyan production house – Tru D Pictures – which also produced Oh Sisters, a 13-part reality show that started airing last year and peeks into the lives of seven Kenyan gospel stars.
According to PayTV giant, Multichoice, who executive produce Kampala Creme, the show sought to introduce viewers to the glitzy and glamourous lives of affluent, youthful, sassy and outgoing Ugandans.
Multichoice also intended to “revolutionize storytelling by documenting real-life events” thereby ushering in a new era in Ugandan television.
But the issues raised by Baby Gloria in the wake of her departure leave this claim in question.
In her latest statement issued Friday, she added to the problems she had initially cited as having led her to quit.
Why jump out of a craved-for opportunity?
Gloria was approached by the showrunners during the lengthy cast search that lasted seven months – April to November 2023. The producers were looking for inspirational, entertaining and vulnerable characters
In fact, Gloria, like Etania and Zahara was not among the original cast that the producers pitched.
So, what exactly frustrated a young, revered star out of such a highly desiderated TV opportunity, one would ask?
Deeper than her earlier claims of how the show spewed plastic emotions and lifestyles on screen, Baby Gloria in her Friday statement shared more on what pushed her out of Kampala Creme.
“Power dynamics, unappreciation, negative energies, conflicts, clashes and selfishness tainted the once vibrant atmosphere, creating an unhealthy working environment mixed with mental health trauma, disrespect and favouritism. Our once harmonious relationship with production became compromised, forever altering the dynamics” said an assertive Gloria
She regretted her resignation, which she says “was a painful yet necessary decision, made with hopes of preserving the little remaining dignity and professionalism”.
While this is the first time someone with a key role is quitting a production way too early in its stage, it isn’t the first time Multichoice is faced with having to replace a lead character. In mid-2021, the producers of Sanyu and Prestige were forced to replace lead actresses – Tracy Kababiito (Sanyu) and Nana Kagga (Prestige) – after they refused to renew their contracts.
It was alleged both Tracy and Nana felt they deserved more compensation than they were getting.
While some castigated Tracy for being quick to throw away an opportunity of a lifetime and the doors it would open, others would argue it never held her back.
She would proceed to land other roles in Mukisa (film) and Netflix’s Katera of the Punishment Island, as well as voicing one of the characters on George the Poet’s podcast story (Once Upon A Time In Kampala).
She is also set to co-star in Bisesero: A Daughter’s Story, a pan-African Rwanda genocide drama directed by Nigeria’s Ema Edosio-Deelen and produced by Richard Hall (Emmy Award winner).
Whether Baby Gloria’s fate will follow the same path, time will tell.
Acclaimed producer John Segawa, the showrunner for The Honourables (on Pearl Magic and Pearl Magic Prime) says Baby Gloria’s case points to the delicate balance that both actors and producers must strike in Uganda’s very nascent film industry.
“Many newcomers hold unrealistic Hollywood expectations, but the actual groundwork is quite different. We are still in the early stages, and it’s crucial to handle the various demands and challenges, especially on set, with composure and resilience,” Segawa wrote on X.
For example, some of the talent that producers had initially cast for the roles on Kampala Crème couldn’t make the final list as, it is said, their expectations were high. Some demanded for as much as $5,000 (Shs 18m) per episode, during the negotiations. Producers ended up opting for names they could afford.
Segawa seems to admit there is toxicity, especially among female cast, that often permeates on the set, and that this must be addressed.
“As we are still in the early stages, we must approach the numerous challenges and setbacks, particularly on set, with a focus on constructive solutions and progress. Let this serve as a collective lesson for everyone in our industry. We should heed Gloria’s words and take actionable steps to improve our profession for the benefit of all involved,” he wrote.
