Iyke Bede
For Mariam Timmer’s first-ever private screening of The ‘Real Housewives’ franchise, a reality television series that has engulfed Africans with drama, gossip, and the occasional kiss-and-make-up, she pulled out all the stops to mark the occasion with an unforgettable evening of glamour, laughter, and star-studded company.
I arrived before the guests and made my way to The Pod, a curated space for an intimate cinema experience nestled within The Delborough Lagos. After a few minutes, Timmer walked in, guided by her personal assistant, who ensured she struck the best poses for photographs. Capturing her entrance, she approached me directly and introduced herself: “Hi, my name is Mariam Timmer,” before swaying her frame and pointing toward the screen that boldly displayed her name. From that moment, a warmer side of her personality surfaced. I had expected the feisty Mariam seen on-screen, only to be met with someone who spoke openly about family, friends, and even alcohol.
Soon, guests began trickling in. Her closest and oldest friend, Linda, followed by her relative, Soliat, joined the conversation, reminiscing about shared memories. They praised her punctuality, to which Timmer responded, “For the past two years, I’ve tried to be more intentional, and I’ve seen that it works for me. I want more for myself.” Their reactions, a series of knowing ‘mmmhhhs,’ added a podcast-like intimacy to the room.
Darey Art Alade, convener of Entertainment Week Africa, and fellow Real Housewife Laura Ikeji, who arrived later, settled in as the reel for ‘The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip’, set in Rio, Brazil, began. As expected, the episode was filled with unfiltered drama: past contestants from various city iterations convened under one roof, forming new alliances and rivalries. On-screen, Timmer had been assigned the second-largest room, which sparked tension among other contestants relegated to smaller rooms with less appealing views.
Deliberate in her fashion choices, Timmer ensured she appeared in designer clothing. In the confessionals, she noted her confusion over why others didn’t arrive glammed up: “I can’t come all the way from Nigeria and look basic. My Nigerian people? They will abuse me.” The room erupted in laughter, with Ikeji cosily sharing the moment. For the watch party, Timmer stunned in a shimmering metallic pink mini-dress with a structured, jewelled bodice, paired with matching full-length tights picked off the runway of Lagos Fashion Week.
The episode itself offered viewers a fresh perspective, highlighting the contestants’ cultural immersion while building a narrative of tattletales, outbursts, and big egos. Over the hour-long screening, the guests’ reactions oscillated between anticipation, amusement, and excitement.
As the curtains drew to a close, an emotional Timmer, bouquet in hand, expressed her appreciation for the love and support she received. Beneath her smile, one could sense pride in representing Nigeria and a quiet relief that the pilot episode had met her expectations.
For Timmer, it was the ultimate trip to cement her presence in the franchise; for the rest of us, it was an evening painted with hues of camaraderie and warmth.
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