With Netflix’s Bad Influencer making waves across over 100 countries, actress Jo-Anne Reyneke steps into one of her most challenging and powerful roles yet, as BK, a mother who will stop at nothing to give her son a better life. GLAMOUR’s Sindeka Mandoyi sat down with Jo-Anne to talk about motherhood, the influencer era, and why Bad Influencer is a love letter to South African women.
GLAMOUR: First off, congratulations on Bad Influencer! The production looks incredible — what was your first thought when you joined the project?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: Thank you! I’m so excited, you have no idea. I actually auditioned for the role like everyone else. They gave us very specific time slots, which I really appreciated, and I went in there to give them the BK that I saw when I read the script. From that moment, I knew this story was something special.
GLAMOUR: Tell us about BK. Who is she?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: BK, short for Babekile, is a single mother raising a boy who’s on the spectrum. Her son is in a school that’s failing him, and she just wants him in an environment where he’s seen and understood. But she doesn’t have the financial means, so she makes a decision, one that takes her into a world she never imagined. It’s about how far a mother will go to protect her child.
GLAMOUR: As a mother yourself, did that storyline hit home for you?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: Absolutely. There wasn’t a single day I played BK that I thought, “This is too far, I wouldn’t do this.” As mothers, we say there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our children, and I believe that. I’d take a bullet for my kids. That’s why it was so easy to play her, I understood her determination. I was raised by a single mother who broke her back to give me everything, so I deeply relate to BK’s drive.
GLAMOUR: Were there any moments that really challenged you as an actress?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: Honestly, no moments of doubt, but definitely moments that pushed me. This was the most physically demanding role I’ve ever had. But with every challenge, I wanted to rise above it, for myself and for everyone who trusted me with this character. I discovered I’m way stronger than I thought. Playing BK reminded me that strength comes from within.
GLAMOUR: The show dives into influencer culture — something we all have opinions on. What was that world like to explore?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: It was incredibly eye-opening! I don’t see myself as an influencer, I’m an actor, first and foremost. But stepping into that space made me realise how much work goes into it. It’s not just posting pictures; it’s strategy, competition, vulnerability, and responsibility. Some are good influences, some are bad, but they’re all human. I think we need to give influencers a little more grace sometimes.
GLAMOUR: We also noticed some real-life influencers appear in the series. That blend of fiction and reality feels fresh.
Jo-Anne Reyneke: Yes! I loved that about the show. It grounds the story in what’s happening right now. It’s something new for South African audiences, and I’m proud of how it turned out. Netflix really gave us space and resources to create something world-class.
GLAMOUR: Speaking of Netflix — you’ve been in the industry for a while. How does it feel to see global platforms investing so deeply in South African talent?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: It’s amazing. Not just for actors, but for production teams too. When you’re given a real budget, good cameras, proper locations, and time, you get to show what South Africans can truly do. For years, we’ve been shooting soapies with limited resources, just making it work. Bad Influencer was different, we had what we needed, and it shows. I’m proud that local actors and influencers get this kind of spotlight.
GLAMOUR: The cast looks incredible — and you’ve worked with a few of them before!
Jo-Anne Reyneke: It really was like a reunion! I’ve worked with Aubrey on The Estate, Emmanuel Kastis on Broken Vows, and Charlie on Black Tax. And then meeting new faces like Cindy, Zozi, and Kamu, it was a joy. No one came with ego or status; we were just artists doing the work. The energy on set was pure and supportive.
GLAMOUR: What did you learn about yourself through playing BK?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: That I’m tough as nails! (laughs) BK is physically and emotionally demanding, she runs, fights, survives. But beyond that, she’s a tomboy, and I related to that side of her. I’ve always been a jeans-and-sneakers girl, and sometimes that made me feel less feminine. Playing BK taught me that sexiness isn’t defined by dresses or heels, it’s confidence, it’s presence. That was a big personal shift for me.
GLAMOUR: The show recently premiered! What do you want audiences to take away from Bad Influencer?
Jo-Anne Reyneke: I hope they feel excited, entertained, and inspired. But mostly, I hope mothers see it as a love letter to them, to say well done, we see you. Because that’s what this story is about: love, sacrifice, and survival.
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