“Y’all not strong enough for the Cayman Islands,” one of the stars of new reality show Grand Cayman: Secrets in Paradise says to the camera in a much-shared trailer bouncing around social media over the past week. And judging by some of the responses to those first few scenes… she might be right.
Some in Cayman aren’t ready, it seems, for the unrecognisable version of their home the show appears to serve up. “Great. Some more attention Cayman doesn’t need,” @enye.r posted on Hulu’s Instagram.
Hulu released the exclusive trailer on 7 Dec., which described the show as “the messiness of The Real Housewives meets the escapism of Amazing Hotel.” It added, “Paradise has a price. Grand Cayman is a playground for the rich and famous.”
The docusoap is expected to premiere in 2024 on the American subscription streaming service, owned by the Walt Disney company, which is also home to shows including ‘The Kardashians’ and ‘The Handmaid’s Tale’.
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Social media user @magnacarter345 said, “How many real Caymanians are in this that you all see? Please be honest and let me make this clear I am not trying to offend anyone but please answer this question?”
Another user, @thedefonegamer636 said, “Please stop making ‘reality’ shows. They’re all just terrible!” And @user-em8ss8gj5e said, “This should’ve been kept a secret.”
Other commenters suggested they were waiting in anticipation and excitement to support familiar faces on the big screen. Social media user, @_divinefem said, “Here for it!”
Another social media user, @anthony.catalanotto, noted, “Finally a show about the island.” User @joeybonvie said, “Yessss”, while @jerseygirl_0223 posted, “I’m definitely watching” and others posted with the Cayman Islands flag, applause and fire sign emojis.
The Compass reached out to two cast members and was informed that they’re “instructed not to do any press” until there’s a release date.
However, speaking on Z99, Compass Media radio hosts Zosia McGregor and Teri Bilewitch – who also appear in the series – shared with host Tim Hartman that they’d spent 12 weeks filming and that producers had originally looked at putting together a show “pre-COVID”.
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Meanwhile, although there was no direct comment on Cayman’s newest reality show, Tourism Minister Kenneth Bryan, during the Parliament session on Friday, 8 Dec., referenced “activities to attract new screen production business in the islands” among projects and priorities for 2024/2025.
Secrets in Paradise
According to IMDb, “Sexy and full of secrets, the docusoap follows a group of super-rich, up-and-coming locals and expats as they navigate the turbulent waters of their relationships, friendships and careers in the paradise that is BIG CAYMAN.”
The first look at the reality series shows international headlines flashing, as Elizabeth Chambers, the ex-wife of actor Armie Hammer opens up about how Cayman “has been a sanctuary”, following their divorce in 2020 and her ex-husband’s alleged sexual misconduct.
Chambers, who moved to the island from the United States with her ex-husband and children, said, “even in paradise, it’s hard to know who you can trust”.
Caymanian supermodel, actor, and ex-fiancée to Nick Cannon, Selita Ebanks also appears on the show as she is getting ready to celebrate her 40th birthday.
Among the cast members are Courtney McTaggart, Craig Jervis, Julian Foster, Chelsea Flynn, Aaron Bernardo, along with Trevor Coleman, Cass Lacelle, Teri Bilewitch, Dillon Claassens, and Victoria Jurkowski.
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