Trending Now: This entertainment story covers the latest buzz, reactions, and updates surrounding Trending Now: Mel Viljoen’s TV journey amid US arrest drama – Fans React..
Melany “Mel” Viljoen and her husband, Petrus “Peet” Viljoen, have been making headlines since their arrest earlier this month after being accused of stealing goods worth more than $5,000 (about R90,000) from a Publix supermarket in Boca Raton, Florida.
Bodycam footage showed officers apprehending the pair separately.
Peet was arrested outside the supermarket, while Mel was taken into custody outside their apartment building.
Both were later charged with organised retail theft, a felony under US law, and released on bail of $10,000 each (about R170,000).
The Viljoens, after their arrest, found themselves in hot water, being detained by ICE after they allegedly overstayed their tourist visas.
Before the Viljoens moved to the United States, they lived in Pretoria. They were introduced to South African reality TV audiences when Mel was cast on “The Real Housewives of Pretoria” and filmed with her husband on the season.
The reality show was broadcast on KykNet and streamed on Showmax.
Before even appearing on the first Afrikaans version of the reality TV franchise, Mel and Peet were already getting screen time. In 2020, investigative show Carte Blanche did an expose in the Viljoens’ business, Tammy Taylor Nail South Africa.
The franchise business was meant to be an empowering investment opportunity in an internationally renowned nailcare brand, but it turned into the worst-case scenario for the women invested in the business.
Carte Blanche’s episode showed interviews with the woman detailing how they bought the salon franchise for hundreds of thousands to millions.
The drama of the Carte Blanche spilled over onto “The Real Housewives of Pretoria”, with Mel confronting fellow housewife Rhona about what she has been saying behind her back.
“The rumour going around is you think that our business, my husband, or I are doing something shady to get where we are. Did you say that?” Mel asked Rhona in a heated discussion at the dinner table.
Mel then appeared on Showmax’s “The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip – South Africa”, where Peet made a video call appearance. On the popular reality show, Mel clashed with the women from other franchises and had plenty to say when the women brought up past headlines about their woes with Tammy Taylor Nails.
Mel then featured on the star-studded panel for the 2025 Showmax Roast of Helen Zille, part of the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival.
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