WHO: Charlize Theron and Elton John sit down for in-depth interviews with the MTV Staying Alive Foundation and MTV Shuga stars / youth advocates Stephanie Sandows (“Tsholo”) and Given Stuurman (“Reggie”) in Amsterdam during the International AIDS Conference. 

WHO: Stephanie Sandows (“Tsholo”) starred in MTV Shuga Season 5 “MTV Shuga: Down South” where her 15 year old character, Tsholo, aspires to having all the good “things” in life and decides to get them through a transactional relationship.

Given Stuurman (“Reggie”) starred in MTV Shuga Season 5 “MTV Shuga: Down South”. When we meet Reggie, he is grappling with understanding his sexuality, or at least, why it is that he is simply not attracted to girls in “that way”?

WHAT: interview clips available for use by media.  

**Charlize Theron speaks about the power of social media to eliminate stigma, how men and women can work together to fight for female rights and respect, the power of MTV Shuga to inspire change, and her hopes for young African women. 

** Elton John discusses his experience coming out in the 1950’s, the importance of speaking openly about sex, and why social media is so important.

The South Africa season will deliver another instalment of “MTV Shuga: Down South” due to broadcast in the first half of 2019, followed by two seasons in Côte d'Ivoire.

MTV Shuga will continue to broadcast on MTV Base (DStv channel 322) and distributed across Viacom platforms globally, including FTA partners. 

CLIPS:

• Interview compilation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vJEJbM19pM&t=98s

• Full interview with Charlize Theron: https://www.facebook.com/mtvuk/videos/10156368152020390/ 

• Full interview with Elton John: https://www.facebook.com/mtvuk/videos/10156368158880390/

MORE:

Unitaid, the MTV Staying Alive Foundation (MTV SAF) and the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine announced a three-year partnership at the 22^nd International AIDS Conference to launch new HIV innovation storylines on the award-winning drama series MTV Shuga. New topics include HIV self-testing and preventive drugs (PrEP). The programme is designed to help millions of young viewers in French and English speaking Africa protect themselves from HIV.

The campaign will span across Southern Africa and Western francophone Africa and deliver three new TV series of MTV Shuga, with a multi- media campaign that promotes sexual health. The enhanced programme will target hard-to-reach populations, particularly people 15 to 24 years old.

For further information and interviews, please contact annie@angelfishpr.co.za or call 083 325 4445