From the soft life to harsh realities - ‘Slay Queens’ unmasks the price of SA’s luxury lifestyle

From designer clothes and jet-setting trips, to partying in the VIP sections of the hottest clubs, "Slay Queens" provides viewers with an intimate look into a lifestyle defined by luxury, scandal and social media notoriety.

The brand-new local Showmax documentary shines a light on the lives of women who navigate wealth, influence and desire - often in ways that challenge societal norms.

In the first two episodes, anthropologist Lebohang Masango, the author of “The Soft Life: Love, Choice and Modern Dating”, provides context for the rise of this multi-billion-rand industry.

She explains that the slay queen culture emerged from online spaces where people could freely express themselves. These platforms connected individuals across the globe and allowed a subculture to flourish, one now notorious for its sexually charged, transactional relationships between young women and older, affluent men.

While Masango’s insights were compelling, the real fascination lies in the voices of the self-proclaimed slay queens themselves.

Cyan Boujee, the DJ and influencer who’s never shied away from headlines, sets the tone early: “I’m not here to be anyone’s inspiration,” she declares in the opening episode.

The 24-year-old shares intimate details of her life online, from mourning the death of her sugar daddy to flaunting the luxuries her lifestyle affords.

In the series, she recounts starting each day with a glass of champagne and reveals her self-described obsession with her face -  an obsession that has taken her around the world.

Boujee candidly admits she was once “paid for existing”, and she details cosmetic procedures, including two BBLs and two liposuctions, undertaken as part of her rise in the slay queen hierarchy.

While she insists she is a “baddie” rather than a “slay queen,” she also shares that she once earned R20,000 in cash for only two minutes with her company.

But beyond the glamour and money, Boujee discusses the mindset required to navigate this life. “I just focus on the money, I keep my eye on securing the bag,” she admits during a confessional.

Her confidence, however, has not come without controversy. Boujee recently faced backlash for promoting a Russian “fresh start programme”, which was later linked to human trafficking and labour exploitation.

Though she apologised publicly, the documentary barely touches on the incident, and this was a missed opportunity to show deeper reflection.

And while the slay queen lifestyle may appear alluring, the documentary does not shy away from its darker realities.

Author and media personality Jackie Phamotse, a self-proclaimed former slay queen, provides sobering commentary on the risks involved.

“Many of the kingpins are in business and governance, and it’s very hard to locate them,” she explains, highlighting the power imbalance inherent in these relationships.

Phamotse also speaks to the vulnerability of women who engage in these arrangements, acknowledging that many consent to companionship, socialising, and drinking, yet remain susceptible to exploitation.

Some women are drugged, abused or subjected to disturbing acts such as sexual assault and, in extreme cases, forced participation in acts involving animals.

Phamotse herself recounts traumatic experiences from as long as 12 years ago, emphasising the long-lasting psychological impact of such encounters.

The documentary reinforces her warnings with testimonials from women who have lived these experiences. One recounts a relationship with a high-ranking African minister who paid her for videos and photos before flying her to Lagos for his birthday.

She recalls waking up the next morning bruised and surrounded by women, realising her drink had likely been spiked and sobbing at the thought of what could have been done to her without her consent.

And while nightclubs and social media provide the backdrop for much of the narrative, the documentary offers a broader understanding of the ecosystem that sustains the slay queen phenomenon.

Insights from men who engage slay queens, alongside perspectives from amapiano star Mr JazziQ, owner of Jozi nightclub Vibes on Main, provide a holistic view of the social and economic dynamics at play.

These perspectives illuminate the complex web of desire, power, and money that defines this subculture.

Ultimately, “Slay Queens” balances the spectacle of wealth and social media fame with the sobering realities that accompany it, providing a nuanced portrayal of a modern cultural phenomenon.

With episodes releasing weekly, there is much more to uncover about this intriguing and polarising world.