The new cast member on Pawn Stars SA adds a touch of glam to the proceedings
|||Debashine Thangevelo
PAWN Stars, like Storage Wars and American Restoration, is a cash cow reality franchise for History Channel. The entertainment value – with attention-grabbing celebrity appearances, historical anecdotes and myriad quirky characters – has proved to be a winning blueprint. So much so that Pawn Stars got the nod for a home-grown adaptation.
Shot at Cash Inn, located on Jozi’s bustling Jan Smuts Avenue, the 16-part series follows owner Roy Peretz and his team – co-partners Eytan Nadler and Liel Rimon and assistants Solly Mabasa and Irene Bower – and the people who arrive looking to pawn what they deem to be “priceless possessions”.
In this season, the Pawn Stars SA cast officially adopt Cecily Pavoncelli – their new resident kugel – into the “family” fold.
Tonight caught up with Pavoncelli, who, with her flawlessly styled long, blonde tresses, immaculate make-up and well-groomed appearance, looks every inch the moniker affectionately given to her.
She has spent the past few years being a mum, which she lovingly declares as her “biggest accomplishment”.
She adds: “My working life started in IT sales many, many years ago. Then I did a couple of things on my own before deciding to be a mum.”
Despite being out of commission (pun unintended) for some time, she has intermittently lent her knowledge on all things kugel-related to the Cash Inn team.
Pavoncelli reveals: “I have known Roy for quite a while. I love fashion, arts and literature. They would often call me and ask for advice about the price on something. “I’m more the hired gun. They give me a shout when they need advice. I’m always a sucker for buying stuff, too.”
Her longstanding relationship with Peretz and the guys became the catalyst in her being interviewed to be on the TV show.
“I like beautiful things,” she notes. “But it doesn’t define me. What makes me happy are food, cooking and books. I’m a hugely energetic person, too. They (the team) have introduced me as the resident kugel.”
And her knowledge often comes in handy.
She offers: “Just the other day, I was asked to evaluate this beautiful Dolce & Gabana ladies’ clutch purse. But it’s about two years old – not quite in the vintage range.”
Speaking about her spontaneous shopping spree, she reveals: “I was there yesterday (meaning Monday) and there was a painting by a local artist in the store. I really had my eye on it and wanted to buy it. My heart sank when they told me it was sold the next day.”
Ironically, her favourite item this season is a book – not jewellery.
Pavoncelli shares: “It was by a local author. Just looking at the amount of research and passion that went into writing this book. And it was a signed copy.”
She teases Eytan for being the biggest hoarder in the shop, which is more like a museum in her eyes.
Interestingly, he grudgingly parts with something this season.
Peretz, still holding true to his mantra of customer satisfaction over making a quick buck, says this season they had to widen the appeal.
He adds: “That’s why we brought in Cecily. She is a proper kugel. And she also represents a large section of South African women.”
Struggling to filter some of the highlights, he enthuses: “We have a submarine, a helicopter, a balloon ride, a proper solar-powered car – we have beautiful stuff. We went surfboarding.”
A traditional healer also walks into the store with an interesting offer. Last season, Kenny Kunene added some celebrity flavour to the show. This time, it is funnyman Casper de Vries who fits the bill.
Pawn Stars SA 2, History Channel (DStv channel 186), Tuesday, March 29, 8.30pm.