The Close Up is a South African entertainment documentary series produced by Greenwall Productions as "A Showbiz Special Report" which features Nicky Greenwall interviewing a variety of South African celebrities who tell their stories in their own words with very little commentary from other sources.
Entertainment journalist and television producer Nicky Greenwall conducts in-depth, revealing, and at times unbelievable one-on-one interviews with some of the country's most talked about celebrities.
The result is The Close Up: A Showbiz Special Report – a series of thirty-minute mini-documentaries which each showcase a well known South African showbiz personality.
The celebrities featured in the first season are pop duo Locnville, songstress Simphiwe Dana, actor Kenneth Nkosi, Flash Republic front-woman Tamara Dey, DJ Black Coffee, rapper Jack Parow and model and socialite Lee-Ann Liebenberg.
Celebs featured in the second season are Freshlyground front-woman Zolani Mahola, actress and beauty ambassador Terry Pheto, television presenter Jeannie D, former Miss Universe Michelle Mclean, Idols Judge Unathi Msengana (nee Nkayi) and model turned socialite Gina Athans.
While beautiful women dominate the line-up in Season 2 – the celebrities representing the men are no less enthralling. They include actor Tony Kgoroge, SAMA award winning rapper and producer Amu and funnyman Leon Schuster.
The third season features rapper and Step Up or Step Out presenter Siyabonga "Slikour" Metane and TV personality Bonang Matheba, who were at one stage one of South Africa's biggest celebrity couples; as well as actor Hlomla Dandala, actress Pam Andrews, TV Presenter Pearl Thusi and model Joelle Kayembe.
Other celebrities in Season 3 include multi-award winning musician Zonke, presenter and "It Girl" Bonang Matheba, Prophets Of Da City Founder DJ Ready D, SAMA winning rapper AKA and comedian and political satirist Loyiso Gola.
Among the guests interviewed in the fourth season of The Close Up is rapper Psyfo, actress Leleti Khumalo, DJ Euphonik, socialite Khanyi Mbau, TV personality Pearl Modiadie, DJ Zinhle, comedian Trevor Gumbi, model Lerato Moloi and choreographer Somizi Mhlongo.
Celebs featured in Season 5 include Kelly Khumalo, Nonhle Thema, Zakes Bantwini, Sade Giliberti, Mo Flava and Maps Maponyane.
Celebs featured in Season 6 include television presenter Boity Thulo, model Nykhor Paul, rapper and presenter ProVerb and fashion designer David Tlale.
In 2007 Nicky produced the documentary series Behind the Name – which tracked the rise to fame of some of SA's biggest stars at the time.
"The main difference between this show and Behind the Name is that these stories are completely personal accounts. It's the celebrities telling their stories in their own words with very little commentary from other sources," says Nicky.
"I think most high profile personalities aren't often given the scope to be truthful about their experiences in life. I believe that this show will bring audiences closer to their favourite stars than they've ever been before."
Nicky, who hosts The Showbiz Report on e.tv and The eNews Channel chose not to feature in the show herself – although she personally conducted all the interviews, wrote, produced and narrated the shows.
"The truth is – this isn't about me. While my favourite interviewers are people like Graham Norton and Michael Parkinson – I personally don't feel the need to cloud the subject's stories with my own.
"I think it makes it more intimate for the viewer if I'm not on camera – it feels more real, less rehearsed. Some of the interviews took a full day – so it's also been great to edit just the good bits – without leaving any of the important stuff out.
"I'm really proud of what our team has put together and I'm looking forward to sharing it with viewers. The experience of being pregnant has naturally given me a different perspective on the world – and that may have influenced the tone of the shows too."
The series is written, directed and narrated by Nicky Greenwall and produced by Greenwall and Tinet Crous. Greenwall is also the executive producer.