Made in Bondi has come under fire from Sydneysiders who do not believe the Channel Seven reality show is doing Bondi Beach any favours.
Residents of the area said Yahoo This week they are upset about how the coastal suburb is being portrayed.
“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.”
Another resident joked: “The real elite wouldn’t be caught dead doing this.”
This comes after it emerged that the majority of the show’s cast is not from the iconic seaside suburb.
According to Seven, the reality show “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.”
Made in Bondi has come under fire from Sydneysiders who don’t think the Channel Seven reality show is doing Bondi Beach any favours. Pictured: the cast
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.
Instead, 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.
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.
Residents in the area told Yahoo this week that they are upset by the way this coastal suburb is being presented. Pictured: Bondi Beach
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.
It seems that most of the cast members are not from Bondi, or even Sydney. Pictured: Emma Pillemer, who is believed to be the only cast member who actually grew up in Bondi
Born and raised in the eastern suburbs, Lawson Mahoney (pictured) attended the renowned private boys’ school, The Scots College.
Producers initially aimed high, attempting 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 make do with a mix of influencers and socialites from various parts of Australia and abroad.
With a title that suggests local glamour and beachside living, Made in Bondi could surprise viewers with its unexpected cast and filming locations.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
