“Due to the fuss in recent days surrounding Astrid & Natalia: back to reality, VTM 2 has decided to no longer broadcast the program, to restore serenity around the theme and everyone involved.” In that program, Astrid Coppens and Natalia Druyts exchange their comfort for a modest budget and a terraced house in Turnhout for a month. To earn a living, they did temporary work, to experience the life of a single mother.
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They were aware that it was a sensitive subject. This was evident from interviews before broadcast. “We were well aware that it was something temporary. And I hope people realize that we didn’t want to make Panorama. It is and remains an entertainment program, but the underlying message is to create awareness about the theme,” said Natalia.
Poverty porn
And then there was the first broadcast on Monday. After which the reviews were harsh. Words like “unworldly reality TV”, “poverty porn” and “perverse” are mentioned. Even more criticism came from single parents. For whom counting every euro cent is a daily reality, for whom a car without air conditioning is the least of their worries.
Poverty expert Wim Van Lancker (KU Leuven) called the program downright harmful. “People in poverty are ridiculed and stereotyped, as if they simply have a hole in their hand. This reduces the support for structural assistance.”
VTM 2 thought it was a shame that they were judged harshly after just one episode. According to the channel, the program is mainly about Belgians who have difficulty making ends meet, despite working hard. “We deliberately opted for a light tone, because not everyone is looking for a classic report. We want to create a nice program.”
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It won’t be nice anymore. On Wednesday it emerged that Natalia had exhibited “unacceptable diva behavior” on the set. With fierce reactions and shouts. The singer was summoned. A conversation followed, as well as an apology.
Staged
The calf had already drowned, and then a number of neighbors cried out. That they slept there all month in the house in Turnhout? Not at all, it sounds. And Astrid who is thoroughly cleaning the house with Dettol? Staged.
Our sister newspaper Gazet van Antwerpen spoke to Mohamed Ahdaoui, manager of the cleaning company C-Maxi, who came to clean the house: “The house was supposed to be dirty and that Natalia and Astrid would clean themselves upon arrival.” Mold and larger hygiene problems were tackled, but dust was allowed to remain. “We had to go back three more times. Natalia didn’t want to move until the house was cleaned to perfection. She had very high standards.”
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The channel refuses to respond to the neighbors’ complaint. Are they not afraid of damage to their image? “Creating productions entails risks,” it says. “We have to accept that people are sometimes less positive. We can only learn from that. That does not prevent us from continuing to work hard on new strong content.”
But that won’t be Astrid & Natalia back to reality. Despite the viewership boost due to the fuss. Because with postponed viewing the counter now stood at 352,575 viewers. On Monday evening, the program did not even appear in the top twenty of the viewing figures. It has also disappeared on VTM Go.