Shahs of Sunset is a Bravo TV show that takes place in Los Angeles, California. The show is centered on six people, Asa Soltan Rahmati, Golnesa “GG” Gharachedaghi, Lilly Ghalichi, Mercedes “MJ” Javid, Mike Shouhed and Reza Farahan who are all Iranian-American. The main focus of the show seems to idolize the livelihood of the stereotypical phenomenal way of life in Los Angeles.
In Season 3 the group is still fighting, rambunctious and out of control. MJ and Lilly have a huge fight that impacts Lilly remaining friends with the entire crew. Asa reinvent herself becoming an entrepreneur for “Diamond Water.” The whole gang decides to go to Turkey to get as close to their hometown in Iran that they can’t all go back to visit.
The problem with this series is that the viewers don’t see what the life of an Iranian-Americans really is like to live and work in L.A., and try to balance their families and traditions. You will instead see what happens to these six people as they’ve lost their identities and have become instant celebrities with over( indulgences) on luxurious things and forgetting where they came from, whilst adapting to a false reality.
Asa is a 36-years-old singer and artist who seems to admire the traditional Persian value system.
She has talked about money struggles, and her identity (she refers to herself as a Persian Pop Priestess). She is dating someone of famous lineage; Jermaine Jackson Jr who is the late Michael Jackson’s nephew.
GG started out unemployed and financially dependent on her father until she and her sister Leila began a line of hair extensions called “GG’s Extensions.” She comes from a wealthy family who is the epitome of an LA socialite; lunching with her friends and socializing at night. The 33-year-old is always looking for “Mr. Right” when all she does is find a “Mr. Right Now,” moving from man to man, never being able to find a man who can support her lavish lifestyle and unapologetic personality.
“Persian Barbie,” Lilly Ghalichi, is the only smart girl with brains to prove it.
The 31-year-old graduated with her Juris Doctor with honors (graduating Cum Laude / Order of the Coif) Her business mindset quickly changed her career direction when she and decided to start a line of swimwear called Have Faith Swimgerie. She also has her own line of eyelashes known as “Lilly Lashes” and hair extensions called “Lilly Hair.”
Luxury real estate agent MJ is a 42-year-old party girl has major struggles with her mother Vida who is so critical and demeaning.
During Season two she admitted to being a convicted felon, and serving one month in prison, five months of house arrest, and three years on probation and paid a $10,000 fine.
Mike, who used to be a Las Vegas real estate agent moved back to Los Angeles when the market fell hard, and is now a commercial real estate agent in LA. The 34-year-old has posed for Playgirl, has good intentions and ultimately meets Jessica who he has brought home to his mother and may soon put a ring on it!
Reza is the charmingly flamboyant friend that everyone wants in their life. He has come out on the show explaining how difficult life can be for a gay Iranian-American to live their life without being gossiped about or shamed. Hitting his 40s, Reza plays in the real estate world with MJ and Mike.
His boyfriend Adam, also appears on the show on Season three Reza proposes to him.
This American reality television series on Bravo airs every Tuesday night at 9:00 pm. The series debuted on March 11, 2012.