Holly Rey ready to debunk the narrative that women don’t support each other
Award winning singer/songwriter Holly Rey is a woman who owns her independence. From the beginning of her career, the star chose the independent route, owning her creative path by being at the helm of all that she does.
Building a successful career in music, she spread her wings by launching a cooking show, together with her younger sister, and now is flexing her acting skills on a six-part web-series #momentstomeltinto – The Girls Trip produced by chocolate brand AERO.
The campaign is anchored on Womanhood, a topic close to the singer’s heart as someone who said she has been supported by women to be where she is.
“I have the most amazing group of female friends, who have become my support structure. The reality is that we go through so much as women and no one understands that better than other women; that is what makes this alliance so important. Especially in these trying times when we women are faced with so much; having this community guarantees you that lasting support,” she said.
As a gender that is often pitted against each other, with narratives such as women being jealous of each other or not wishing the best for one other, Holly Rey wants to actively change the damaging stigma.
“I came into the industry very nervous of women only to meet the most phenomenal group of women who are ready to pour themselves out for you 1000%. Then you think ‘actually, this narrative is not correct’. There’s definitely not enough of us supporting each other or enough of us within the industry to even create a really solid support structure, but the ones who are here are really championing each other along,” she said.
The campaign has other women partaking in it, well known names like YouTube comedy sensation Nelisiwe Mwase, professional make-up artist Bridget Mahlangu, Radio jock and presenter Mantsoe “Pout’ Tsatsi, South Africa’s first bachelorette Qiniso van Damme, TV presenter Stephanie Ndlovu, well-respected fashion blogger Zama Marubelela – Holly Rey hopes women will feel seen and heard in their difference.
“In the series, there’s a number of different characters who are all facing challenges that most women will face in their lifetime. My character in the series is struggling to balance being married and finding time for her friends. Another is struggling to find someone to look after her kids. But I think the real story is that of real women facing real issues. Women will relate and feel seen and heard, and I think that’s going to be important,” she said.
And being an older sister meant being a great role model for her sibling, proving to her that one can defy the norm and do anything that she wants to do.
“Apart from being put in a box as a female, I wanted to venture out into different things. I am a business woman at the end of the day and I wanted to explore other businesses. Me and my sister own the production company. We own all the rights of the show, and that on its own for me was defying the odds. Having two girls creating something that they own is creating a space for my sister where she could create safely – the content that she wants in a safe environment.
“And even with this series, I am definitely trying something new. I am acting now and exploring a different side to the Holly Rey brand,” she added.
“I want to be a tangible role model for my baby sister. I faced all sorts of challenges as a girl coming up in the industry. Struggling to get my voice heard or to be seen on different platforms, so if I as a woman can create a platform for my sister where she can shine and it’s safe, where she can express herself wholeheartedly – then that’s what I am going to do.
“Create a space where young people like my sister can have a voice,” she said.