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.
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 Ggeberha 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 well-known 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?
I had to stay connected with myself. I love running – it is my form of medication. I started running after my husband died 10 years ago while we were on holiday in the USA. I tried all sorts of antidepressants and medication, but running worked for me. I’d rather spend thousands of rands on running shoes than a fancy handbag! Now, I run two overseas marathons a year. I start my day with a run at 4.30am, even when we were filming in Ggeberha and Jamaica. I ran a marathon during both seasons. I encourage anyone going through a hard time to get out there and try running. Do it for yourself.
My relationships didn’t change off-screen. My friends and family would watch the show and beg me not to be too real and crazy, but I’d just be myself anyway. For example, I look very, very white, but I’m not, so I speak to the ladies like we’re all the same. I can say to them, “Oh, your big fat black ass” and no one will take offence.
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How had you changed between the two seasons?
Not much, I was still just me. I was the only lady asked to go on the Jamaica trip from the Ggeberha season, so I was very scared. I felt I wasn’t like them with their designer label clothes. I’m very sporty and I don’t drink much, but I went with the mindset that I’m there to have fun and be on holiday. We went out, you pick up a man, flirt, you know, all that naughty stuff. I really had a good time.
Why did the ladies seem more vulnerable and open this season?
There was a very relaxed environment in our home with a bunch of new ladies. I was part of a little group of four – the alliance – and we were really there for one another. I think that made the ladies feel they could open up. But trust me, there was still drama!
What did the show teach you about friendship?
I am friends with only one lady from the Ggeberha season. I’ve blocked all the others, as they aren’t people I would invite to my house for dinner. But I am friends with all the girls from Jamaica and will visit them whenever I am in their city – even Mel, believe it or not.
Many viewers applaud your realness. How did you develop that?
I think I was born that way, since I’ve always been a very loving, kind person, and I don’t like seeing other people hurt. But my life was changed the day my husband died – the way I see relationships, people, strangers, money, material things. Before then, I was a very materialistic person.
My husband died at 42 and it was the first time I lost someone really close to me. He collected whiskey and filled a cabinet with it, worth thousands of rands. He always said that one day he’d open the whiskey, but he never did. His death made me realise that we can leave this Earth in the blink of an eye, and to focus more on relationships and experiences.
In Jamaica, everyone had fancy outfits and shoes, but they couldn’t answer my questions about deep things like family relationships. That’s nonsense, because they’d spent thousands of rands on an outfit when they could have taken their families to Disneyland and created memories. I’d never do that.
What might viewers not know about you?
How committed I am to family. I have three beautiful daughters and am a young grandma of three. My children keep me grounded and remind me that I’m not on TV when I’m at home! I take them on an all-expenses paid overseas trip every year.
I’m also a very religious Christian, but I don’t advertise it like the other girls do on the show, talking about how God speaks to them one minute and then drinking whiskey and talking about people the next.
Religion and running are the two guiding lights in my life. My mornings are my favorite part of my day because it’s when I can worship as I watch the sun rise.
What does 2025 hold in store for you?
In April, I’ll be running the Paris Marathon. I’m staying in Ggeberha for now; as much as I love Cape Town, my children and grandchildren are here, and so is my construction business.
I’m not dating at the moment, and you know what? My heart is so full. There is so much happening in my life that there isn’t space for anyone. But if they want to cast me on The Golden Bachelorette, I wouldn’t say no!
@thelizprins So many beautiful memories packed into one incredible year 🥂🍾🍻 #memories #happiness #loveyou #2024 ♬ original sound – Cpt. Levi
Follow Liz
Instagram: @thelizprins
By: Christi Nortier
Text courtesy of Balanced Life magazine
Photography by: Supplied
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