As Queen Modjaji premiered last night, it has emerged that there has been behind-the-scenes drama. Two former Miss South Africa winner, Shudufhadzo Musida and Ndavi Nokeri, have ruined their chances of becoming well-known actresses.

Ndavi's stay on Queen Modjadji was apparently cut short

EACH DEMANDED THEIR OWN DRESSING ROOMS

The two beauties messed up their chances of becoming part of Queen Modjadji for longer and ruined their chances "because of diva tendencies", according to a source. They alleged were expecting beauty pageant treatment on set and apparently wanted attention would be solely on them. "They clearly did not get the memo that they were working on a professional set with directors and producers, who call the shots. They did not understand the acting set-up," said the source. The producers were intending on keeping the models longer on the series. "Because of their high demands, the producers decided to cut their stay short and give them have cameo roles," the source told ZiMoja. Adding that the two beauties were each demanding their own dressing room.

CROWNED

Musida (27) who was born in HaMasia village in Venda, Limpopo, was crowned Miss South Africa in 2020. In 2021, Since her reign ended, she has a stint as a presenter on Afrimaxx on The Home Channel. On the other hand, 25-year-old Ndavi from Tzaneen, in Limpopo, won the Miss SA contest in 2022 and competed at Miss Universe last year. The two models are both following on the footsteps of former Miss SA and Miss Universe winner, Zozibini Tunzi, who made her acting debut in 2022 with a small role in The Woman King opposite US actress Viola Davis and SA-born, and now US-based actress, Thuso Mbedu. The beauty queens refused to comment so did the channel representative.

DRAMA IN COURT 

Meanwhile, the drama series nearly did not premiere yesterday. Last Tuesday, the Gauteng High Court in Pretoria dismissed an urgent application by the Balobedu Royal Family to stop MultiChoice and M-Net from airing the show. The series, which premiered on Mzansi Magic on Channel 161 last night, is executive produced by Duma Ndlovu of Muvhango fame. The Balobedu Royal Family first took Multichoice to court at the end of April but lost the case.

Acting judge Anthony Minnaar said the matter lacked urgency and the court had not been made aware of how the rights of the Rain Queen Masalanabo Modjadji VII, will be infringed upon by a work of fiction. Judge Minnaar said the opposing family knew about the series earlier. 

He said: "Instead, they waited for the production to be completed."