Made In Bondi’s Lawson Mahoney has responded to wild allegations that he “faked” his accent on the new Channel 7 show.
The reality TV star took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a video in which she apologized for “offending” viewers while mocking claims she put on a fake voice for the show.
He explained that he had been the victim of bizarre speculation that he had used a fake accent while filming after viewers questioned how he pronounced certain words.
Debunking the “slander” in the light-hearted video, Lawson insisted she is speaking on screen as she normally does and dismissed the criticism.
He said: ‘I’ve heard the rumours, I’ve heard them word of mouth and I wish to address these allegations, to address the confusion, to address the slander on my name that I am somehow faking an accent on a television show.
‘I have a unique way of speaking, my ‘L’s’ are a bit strange, a bit South African so to speak.
‘My ‘Ts,’ my grandmother also told me, ‘you want to be on television, you want to be a movie star, well, say your ‘Ts,’ and say them well!’
Lawson went on to admit that he was “nervous” while filming the first few drama-filled episodes of the reality show, which may have influenced his speech.
Made In Bondi’s Lawson Mahoney has responded to accusations that he “faked” his accent on the new Channel 7 show in a passionate video
“I don’t know if you’ve seen the first five episodes, but the scenes I’m experiencing made me a little nervous. I apologize to anyone I may have offended,” he continued.
‘I laugh like a seagull too, so I apologize to any seagulls I may have offended.’
Urging fans to keep tuning in to the show, she concluded: “But then again, if you hate my voice, then you must be watching it, which is a good thing in my opinion!”
‘Keep watching it and keep hating the way I talk!’
Made In Bondi premiered on Seven last week but has been met with a very mixed reaction from locals.
Residents of the area said Yahoo who are upset by how the coastal suburb is portrayed on the reality show.
“Bondi is not defined by a bunch of rich, made-up, entitled, attention-seeking kids,” local resident Jake Leech told the publication.
Another local called Jean said: ‘The last thing Bondi needs is more unrealistic media reinforcing these stereotypes (that everyone here is influential).
“This is one of Sydney’s most diverse suburbs, with a strong sense of community, but that’s never really highlighted.”
A third resident joked: “The real elite wouldn’t be caught dead doing this.”
The reality TV star has apologised for “offending” viewers as she scoffed at claims she put on a fake voice for the show following the premiere of Made In Bondi last week.
The show also sparked some divisive reactions when it was revealed that the majority of the show’s cast is not from the iconic seaside suburb.
According to Seven, the reality series “follows the real lives and loves of young Sydney socialites living in the wealthy eastern suburbs and on the world’s most famous beach – Bondi.”
However, it seems that most of the cast members are not actually from Bondi, or even Sydney.
“Producers tried very hard to get real Bondi locals with a profile on board, but they didn’t have much luck,” a source told The Sunday Telegraph.
Producers initially attempted to recruit model Montana Cox, fashion designer Sophie Coote, Pilates instructor Bernadette Fahey and socialites Andy El-Bayeh and his wife Harriet Williams.
When these efforts failed to bear fruit, they had to settle for a mix of influencers and socialites from various parts of Australia.
The cast includes Bella Salerno, 23, who spent much of her childhood in Europe; Molly Paradice, 23, from Scone in outback New South Wales, and Isabella Cicero, 31, a content creator from Perth.
The show has been met with a mixed reaction, with Bondi residents recently becoming angry because they are upset about how the seaside suburb is portrayed on the reality show.
Pippa Hanan, 22, from Paddington, publicist Billy Daniels, 32, who moved to Paddington from Perth, and model Lachlan McLean, 27, from Sydney’s northern beaches also appear in the series.
Born and raised in the eastern suburbs, Lawson attended the renowned private boys’ school, The Scots College.
Jewellery designer Emma Pillemer, 22, is believed to be the only cast member genuinely raised in Bondi.
Sources on the set also claim that most of the filming took place at Brighton Le Sands, approximately 30 minutes from Bondi Beach.
“It’s clear they’re not targeting an Australian audience,” one source said. “This show is aimed at the international market, who won’t know the difference.”
It was also reported that participants were paid as little as $240 for a day on set.
In stark contrast, the cast of the Real Housewives of Sydney have contracts worth between $30,000 and $50,000.
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