'The soul of this country is so beautiful' — Kelly Rowland in Mzansi for the Spritzer Saturday Experience

10 December 2022 - 10:00
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Kelly Rowland during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022.
Kelly Rowland during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022.
Image: Denvor de Wee

US star Kelly Rowland and Brutal Fruit Spritzer kept their promise when they said the star would be back in Mzansi for the YOU Belong campaign party where women would have a chance to sit down with the star and have a conversation. 

The event, dubbed the Spritzer Saturday Experience, is billed to take place on Saturday at a secret location.

They held a press conference at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, on Friday. 

Kelly partnered with Brutal Fruit to shoot a commercial for the alcohol brand in April and made headlines. She explained why she agreed to be a part of the campaign. 

“It was a really beautiful way to authentically connect with the women of South Africa, to be able to have this shared space, because the commercial was so much fun. Shooting it there with them was so much fun. When we were sitting there we talked about everything from motherhood, to relationships, to our most embarrassing, to everything. We had a chance to bond. It's the vibration here that I feel very much so connected to and grateful for and I talk about it everywhere I go that South Africa is my second home,” she said.

Thando Thabethe, Kelly Rowland and Ramona Kayembe during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg
Thando Thabethe, Kelly Rowland and Ramona Kayembe during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg
Image: Denvor de Wee

The head of brand for Brutal Fruit Africa, Ramona Kayembe, explained why the actress, singer, author, mom and wife was the right pick for the brand. 

“Kelly your love for South Africa is absolutely infectious and it's for the people. It's not just for the country and that really translated to beautiful storytelling on set and in the film. But also just your authenticity, the way you spoke and connected with everybody. Your strength and your power but also your absolute vulnerability to tell your stories and to share your lessons, and the support you spoke about and how you support your friends and how you shine the spotlight on everybody's success. I think that's what we  really resonated with you, aside from the stardom and the illustrious career. It's that human connection that we really are so excited to have you.

Kelly Rowland during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022. (Photo: Denvor de Wee)
Kelly Rowland during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022. (Photo: Denvor de Wee)
Image: Denvor de Wee

“Tomorrow we have an amazing spritzer Saturday event where we are celebrating our South African women with Kelly and to have authentic conversations around #You Belong. But also a reaffirmation that you deserve a seat at the table and next year we are going to continue to remind women that this has always been about you. It's been about your strength, about your worth and showing our consumers and our women that they really deserve to be seen, they deserve to see themselves worthy of belonging and see themselves in our beautiful spritzer world — in our world were you belong and you own the space and bring yourself to it.”

Kelly was asked what she enjoyed the most about being in the country and she listed a few foods, the accents and being able to hang out 

“Everybody is so warm. I hope what you give I give back ten-fold. I feel so warm and welcome here. I love the soul of this place. The soul of this country is so beautiful and the culture. It makes me feel at home and welcome.” 

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Thando Thabethe, Kelly Rowland and Ramona Kayembe during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022. (Photo: Denvor de Wee)
Thando Thabethe, Kelly Rowland and Ramona Kayembe during the Brutal Fruit Spritzer press conference held at the Leonardo Hotel, Sandton, Johannesburg 9 December 2022. (Photo: Denvor de Wee)
Image: Denvor de Wee


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