Showmax Releases Trailer for Slay Queens, a Bold New Documentary Series

Showmax has just dropped the trailer for Slay Queens, a five-part documentary series that explores the world of women who pursue the “soft life” by any means necessary.

The Showmax Original premieres on 31 October, with new episodes releasing every Friday.

Produced by Vusi Zion and his creative collective Kaimal Pictures—the team behind the Showmax hit Soft Life—Slay Queens brings a signature edge and uncompromising lens to a lifestyle often whispered about, memed, or judged, but rarely heard directly.

“Slay Queens was born from a need to hold up a mirror to a world we often speak about in whispers, memes, or judgment, but rarely listen to directly,” says Vusi. “I was inspired by the courage of women who live these realities every day, by the men and communities affected, and by the silence surrounding their truths. My role as a filmmaker is not to sanitise or sensationalise but to create a platform where voices that are usually dismissed or caricatured can be heard in their full complexity.”

The documentary features both slay queens and ballers, sharing their experiences in their own words, alongside some of the most recognisable voices shaping conversations around this controversial lifestyle.

DJ and influencer Cyan Boujee, known for her bold presence and viral moments, opens up about the realities of life in the spotlight, from the pressures of staying relevant to the personal costs of internet fame, revealing sides of herself the public has never seen.

Multi-award-winning amapiano star Mr JazziQ, owner of Johannesburg’s popular nightclub Vibes on Main, shares his insider perspective on the nightlife scene, where slay queens are both a presence and a force, offering a front-row view from behind the decks to the VIP booth.

Author and media personality Jackie Phamotse, a self-proclaimed former slay queen, reflects on the emotional and social consequences of chasing the high life, and the courage it takes to walk away.

Adding an academic lens, Lebo Masango, anthropologist and author of The Soft Life: Love, Choice and Modern Dating, explores the economic and cultural dynamics driving the rise of the slay queen. Drawing from her Master’s research, she examines transactional relationships, the pursuit of financial freedom, and the limited options often available to women in society.

Other cast members include a sangoma, an Uber driver, and a promoter, each offering essential perspectives on the ecosystem that surrounds this lifestyle.

“Slay Queens doesn’t just document a lifestyle, it challenges the systems, stories, and stereotypes behind it,” Vusi explains. “It shines a light on those who live, critique, and capitalise on the slay queen era.”