Made in Bondi has been slammed by Sydney locals who don’t think the Channel Seven reality series does Bondi Beach any favours.
Residents of the area told Yahoo this week that they’re upset by how the beachside suburb is being portrayed.
‘Bondi isn’t defined by a handful of cosmetically enhanced, entitled rich kids wanting attention’ local Jake Leech told the publication.
Another local called Jean said: ‘The last thing Bondi needs is more unrealistic media reinforcing these stereotypes [that everybody is an influencer here].
‘This is one of the most diverse suburbs in Sydney with such a strong sense of community but that is never highlighted.’
Yet another resident quipped: ‘The real elite wouldn’t be caught dead doing this’.
It comes after news that the show reportedly features a cast that is hardly from the iconic beachside suburb.
According to Seven, the reality TV series ‘follows the real lives and loves of young Sydney socialites living in the affluent Eastern Suburbs and the most famous beach in the world — Bondi.’
Made in Bondi has been slammed by Sydney locals who don’t think the Channel Seven reality series does Bondi Beach any favours. Pictured: The cast
However, it appears that most of the cast members aren’t actually from Bondi, or even Sydney.
‘Producers tried hard to get actual Bondi locals with a profile on board, but they didn’t have much luck,’ a source disclosed 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 country NSW and Isabella Cicero, 31, a content creator from Perth.
Pippa Hanan, 22, from Paddington, publicist Billy Daniels, 32, who moved from Perth to Paddington and model Lachlan McLean, 27, from Sydney’s northern beaches also appear in the series.
Residents of the area told Yahoo this week that they’re upset by how the beachside suburb is being portrayed. Pictured: Bondi Beach
Jewellery designer Emma Pillemer, 22, is believed to be the only cast member genuinely raised in Bondi.
On set sources also claim that the majority of the filming took place in Brighton Le Sands, approximately 30 minutes from Bondi Beach.
‘They’re clearly not targeting an Australian audience,’ one insider remarked. ‘This show is aimed at the international market, who won’t know the difference.’
Participants were also reportedly paid as little as $240 for a day on set.
In stark contrast, the Real Housewives of Sydney cast have contracts worth between $30,000 and $50,000.
It appears that most of the cast members aren’t actually from Bondi, or even Sydney. Pictured: Emma Pillemer, who is is believed to be the only cast member genuinely raised in Bondi
Born and raised in the Eastern Suburbs, Lawson Mahoney (pictured) attended the renowned private all-boys school, The Scots College
Producers initially aimed high, trying 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 didn’t pan out, they had to settle for a mix of influencers and socialites from various parts of Australia and beyond.
With a title suggesting local glamour and beachside living, Made in Bondi might just surprise viewers with its unexpected cast and filming locations.
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Channel Seven for comment.
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