Reality star and businesswoman Mel Viljoen was one of the most talked about housewives on the Real Housewives van Pretoria (RHOPTA), the reunion of the series aired in January this year… where is the businesswoman now?WHO IS MEL VILJOEN?
Melany “Mel” Viljoen is a reality star and businesswoman. She is married to notorious ex-lawyer Peet Viljoen. The pair have been together for 10 years. Peet and the reality star don’t have any children of their own, but he has three children from a previous marriage.
Mel is the founder of the nail brand Tammy Taylor Nails in South Africa. The business owner revealed that she is behind the marketing, influencer marketing and more for the brand. She co-owns the business with her husband. Despite the controversy surrounding the business, she remains focused on the brand.
“We founded the Tammy Taylor name in South Africa and it belongs to Peet and I. It doesn’t belong to anyone in America. I believed it’s an inspirational story and I think people should believe ‘wow one day even though I was born in the country, I could also one day become a brand queen’,” she said.
Mel now lives in the Woodhill Estate in Pretoria East but she is originally from Potgietersrus, a town in Limpopo. She used to live in the Silver Lakes Estates in Pretoria before she moved to the east.
“I grew up in the countryside in the Limpopo province in Potgietersrus. My husband and I used to live in Silver Lakes Estate but we moved to Woodhill about four years ago,” she said on the first episode of RHOPTA.
ALSO READ: ‘Real Housewives van Pretoria’: Mel Viljoen robbed at gunpoint
WHERE IS THE REALITY STAR NOW?
Mel explained that following the release of RHOPTA fans everyone notices her when she goes out.
“Everyone says I look so much younger in real life. I have big fans now, I feel safe now. I feel someone has my back,” she said exclusively to The South African.
Since then the reality star has launched her own podcast titled The Melany Viljoen Podcast, where she’s interviewed celebrities such as Mat Elle, TV personality Zola Zeelovin’ and more.
“With my podcast, I’m hoping to bring really good skills and information to average people who don’t have a degree, who is maybe struggling and not making ends meet. There is no pressure like financial pressure and I feel like a lot of women are in a lot of trouble, they just don’t know how to get out of it. So, that was my main objective,” she said.
“Basically it’s about tactical empathy and teaching men and women how to negotiate themselves out of a really touch situation.
She went on to say that she asked her celebrities guests how they got to be where they are. So, listeners can learn how they can work towards their goals as well.
She also partnered up with Jolene Saaiman to launch a Mel Approved Gin called Resting Beach Face Collagen Infused Gin.