Local Celebs Open Up With The GramSham Hashtag

Local Celebs Open Up With The GramSham Hashtag! There’s currently trending hashtag on Instagram in which users mostly famous people are opening up about their daily struggles that their fans would never guess to be true judging by their public persona.

From Melanie Bala to Tumi Morake these stars are opening up like never before. Check out what they had to say below.

Melanie Bala

#TheGramSham *deep breath* This picture was taken about 2 years ago at Live Amp. Bob and I had been invited to host an episode. It was a lot of fun. What you don’t see is the exhaustion and sadness. My marriage was over, my father had died. I was in therapy, on anti-depressants, barely sleeping and crying every single day. I hid it all very well except to those very close to me. Why are we so so scared to let people see the real us? To let people know that we’re struggling, that we’re not okay. Is it because we’ll be seen as weak or over sharing? “Why is she putting all her business out there?” Even now, I share this with trepidation because “what will people say” or will some media outlet use it as a story tomorrow? The pressure to present these perfect lives is insane. Don’t get me wrong: we all love to dress up and slay, and get those likes but that’s not real life. Not for me, not for you, not for anyone. Life is not 100% ups all the time. There are a lot of downs too. We need to allow ourselves those moments because in doing so, we share the full range of what makes us human. We invite someone who is struggling too, to say “I am not alone”. The #GloUp is great but there’s a down that has to come first before you can glow up. 50, 5000 or 500,000 followers and we can’t share what’s in our hearts because we’re scared to be judged or to lose brands, sponsorships, opportunities? I’ll take my chances. On this #YouthDay, I want young people to know it’s okay to not be okay. It takes time, effort, tears, work, self-care but you’ll get there ❤️ M. • Click on #TheGramSham for other posts. @thejolurie

A post shared by Melanie Bala (@melzinbala) on Jun 16, 2018 at 6:49am PDT

Gail Nkoane

#TheGramSham The truth is … what you don’t see in this pic is … The insecurity. It’s sounds small, but it’s something that affects most areas of our lives. I’ve spent a lot of time learning to deal with insecurity (especially since I’ve been in my industry). Wondering…am I enough? … I’m slowly learning that I DON’T need to fit in…in fact, learning that the plan was never for me to fit in at all. The older I’ve gotten, the more secure I’ve become…& the closer I get to God, the more secure I’ve become in who I am in Him. To every young person reading this, I want to remind you that social media is NOT real life. We are all just here putting our best foot forward. There is A LOT we don’t post. I want to encourage you to find identity in knowing that you are fearfully and wonderfully made for a purpose greater than being “accepted” on social media. God’s plan for your life is perfect. I wish, on this #YouthDay, and everyday, you know that you are enough…JUST AS YOU ARE. #FailingForward #ImperfectlyPerfect #HappyYouthDay #TheGramSham @thejolurie

A post shared by Actress ?????? (@gail_mabalane) on Jun 16, 2018 at 8:42am PDT

Tumi Morake

Before I saw this #thegramsham timeline I was asked why I think I have to go through everything alone. From my mother’s death to the trauma of the past nine months. Now, two accidents (none caused by me) and a recent armed robbery have left me grabbing each moment like it could be my last with these precious people. My job is to entertain, make light of things. Lately it takes a real effort to do that. I am back in therapy because I am a weird combination of exhausted and on edge and I am looking for answers. For the first time this week I have taken on a more active role with the kids and I have felt like I must have been an absent parent all along. I kept messing up their schedules this week. Shortly after I took this picture I had to get them all to bed because we had work to do. Afia begged me to sleep with her, Lesedi started crying for a cupcake and Bonsu was upset I got his book request wrong. Without dad there I would have been in real trouble. To make things worse I felt bad to be working at home when they expect more time with me and I am busy chasing deadlines. We are all trying. We are all human. Instagram is just a collection of the sparks we collect along the way. ?❤️

A post shared by Tumi M*r*ke (@tumi_morake) on Jun 16, 2018 at 3:01pm PDT

Letshego Zulu

#TheGramSham This picture was taken November 2016 at my cousins wedding. A joyous day. It was also the 1 day I fought tears the hardest and failed dismally (you can see it on my face). I truly should have been front and centre celebrating my Big Sisters special day. I struggled to sit through the church service. Struggled to dance in the street as we do at weddings. When the MC was running late, she asked me to step in and the thought of that broke me completely and I fell apart. Why? My heart was raw and naturally I was thinking of my Hubby who passed a mere 4 months prior. Yes, you see me smiling. Yes, you see me laughing. Yes, I look like “everything is alright”. Truth? The heart bleeds and the tears flow. One thing is for sure…You learn to LIVE WITH IT. The clock keeps ticking and one must keep marching forward, otherwise you get stuck in a black hole. Life is a blessing and it is there to be lived…to the full. Our life experiences vary at most and they are there to shape us. Peace. #ImperfectlyPerfect #HappyYouthDay @thejolurie

A post shared by Letshego Zulu (@letshegozulu) on Jun 16, 2018 at 12:26pm PDT

Roxy Burger

This is me 5 months postpartum. I manage to wash my hair maybe twice a week, dry-shampoo is my best friend, I’m getting limited sleep, my belly is still flabby AF, my boobs are riddled with stretch-marks and if I’m completely honest I’m struggling to balance work and Mom life. It’s tough. The reason I’m sharing this? Because it’s an honest reflection of motherhood and my current life. My friend @thejolurie posted some pretty epic words and challenged us to post something authentic on #YouthDay. Why? Because people are literally killing themselves over #TheGramSham – a snapshot of a fabulous life we think we should have. Or how we should look. Don’t forget: Instagram is literally a snapshot. It’s not the full picture. Love yourself! You’re doing a great job.

A post shared by Roxy Burger (@roxyburger) on Jun 16, 2018 at 2:38am PDT

Carly Fields

Here’s my #TheGramSham- yup I admit it, I use an app to remove my pimples and wrinkles almost all the time. I don’t know why- I’m ashamed of it! What kind of example am I setting for my almost teenage daughter?? It’s time I learned to embrace my adult acne, sun-damaged and aging skin! Oh, and while we’re at it, I box dye my hair and drink box wine to save money! There. Judge away. But it’s about time we speak our truths! What’s your #TheGramSham? Say no to suicide, say no to social media bullying and pressure to conform!

A post shared by Carly Fields (@carlysfields) on Jun 16, 2018 at 7:49am PDT