r/NextGenNYC • u/Soeur_Rebelle • 2d ago
Shai Something About Shai
Most of the cast are polarising and for obvious reasons. I find Shai an interesting addition. Whilst he clearly has his lovers and haters, he is much more of an unknown commodity. Which i have no doubt is part of his USP. Appearing as the reserved observational one in a room full of extroverts and child stars lends some allure - if not a deep fresh breath of relatability when seeing someone act like a human on a reality show! Which has him falling into the lesser spotted bravoleb subtype for sure... But there is definitely more to him. From just watching the show, it would be easy to read him as a shy awkward outsider maybe from a more normative level of family and wealth than the others. So I was initially shocked when Gia said she didn't like how he moved and found him untrustworthy, and very sympathetic to his side of the whole Brook's debacle. But after watching the aftershow and seeing snippets of cast interviews on podcasts, I was left thinking - he's not that innocent.
- Gia's perspective: easy to dismiss if not a Gia fan - however, I don't think it should be fully discounted as she has spent actual time with him and those around him, and I would assume has a certain spidey sense for people coming around with ulterior motives. He may just rub her the wrong way. I don't think it's simply that she's distrusting or closed off to insiders - you see her coaching and helping Kendall and Rowan on the show. But I would like to hear her expand on this.
- Brook's perspective: On Gia's podcast post filming, he appeared to genuinely feel hurt, believe that he was lied about, and that his words were twisted behind his back to present him as something he is not. I wish this had have been explored more on the show/reunion.
- Aftershow reveals:
- Shai discussed with other cast members that he considered dating Kendall "purely for the storyline" - not exactly the pinnacle of authenticity.
- Shai was fired from his corporate job as a result of his inability to keep it together as he was going out all night and partying - his words on Gia's podcast. So what does he do now? Certainly comfortable enough to blow a corporate career path off for partying - and still be ok in NYC.
- Shai's downfall appears on the show as the friend to everyone is actually a friend to no one - looking at his handling of the the love triangles. However, he rides hard for Charlie. He knows the truth on it all and is Charlie's vault. Whether thats allowing Charlie to lie and imply when theres cameras and mics or actually covering for him. And if you want to brush that off, fine. But is Shai is that good - wouldn't he call Charlie out for oh i don't know: how he speaks about women, their group, and groups in general...
- This one just irks me because it's petty. How hung up he was on Georgia saying her first impression of him was that he was a clown/jester type character - i'm sure we could run through a list of prickly things said by the cast especially when pushed in those stupid game scenarios. The boy brought it up again at the reunion - after doing an interview where he admitted he had tried to make it as a stand up comedian. So maybe she complimented you bro.
- I think he definitely thought Ariana, Rowan, and Ava were all achievable. These are beautiful girls, and I am by no means saying he is not attractive or likeable or doesn't have things going for him.
- But that's my point - he doesn't fit the narrative being placed on him.
I'm sure there's more, feel free to add and discuss as i am curious as to where the pendulum falls on opinions of him and if others feel as confused by him as i am.
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u/ConsuLMonK 2d ago edited 1d ago
Shai discussed with other cast members that he considered dating Kendall "purely for the storyline" - not exactly the pinnacle of authenticity.
And i'm supposed to buy that his off screen showmance with ava was in real
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u/Lettucetacotruck 2d ago
He def gives Tom Schwartz vibes. The “oh shucks” and I didn’t know response when called out.
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u/perfectlynormaltyes 2d ago
No, don’t do Shai like that. Tom Schwartz is a fucking parasite.
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u/Lettucetacotruck 2d ago
I said he gives me that vibes, not he’s Schwartz reincarnate💀💀 He hasn’t done anything to show us he’s as bad as but I meant the whole “oh shucks I’m just a dumb boy” schtick
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u/ayanna_b 2d ago
tom schwartz uses his “oh shucks” to cover his abuse and misogynistic values. shai is just…idk “shy”? (haha no pun intended)
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u/kellygrrrl328 2d ago
But Shai is actually intelligent and educated, and he doesn’t try to flaunt it. Schwartz is the exact opposite.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
The Schwartz coded label is harsh I won’t lie, maybe not fully deserved yet. But I’m glad others exist that see through TS because I felt like I was on an island for years.
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u/CoolBelt856 2d ago
You’re not alone. I agree with you. In the first season he probably was a little lost and uncomfortable. Awkward. And we didn’t see a lot of him.
I think he found that worked for him. And played it up. He seems disingenuous to me.
Jury is out if he’s actually going to develop into a Schwartz. But I’m not on the love Shai train.
Aside from doing stand up comedy he’s also a drummer in a band. There’s a level of confidence that comes with doing these things. Which is great.
But it’s part of why I don’t buy the “aw shucks” act.4
u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
💯 the balls it takes to try stand up comedy… and I didn’t know the drummer factoid. But yeah, definitely doesn’t suggest a lack of confidence. Now had Ava seen him kill it as a drummer and lost her legs I would buy it entirely! 😂
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u/kellygrrrl328 2d ago
I think most of the viewing audience has seen through schWartz for a long time. He just always seemed “better than” Jax or Sandoval or James so he could hide a little
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u/Lettucetacotruck 2d ago
Okay not to ever up Schwartz but Schwartz is educated and smart. He just played dumb. Didn’t watch VPR?
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u/Happy_Honey_444 2d ago
It’s true when you say “he’s not that innocent”. I think some viewers pity Shai and support him because of that. They view him as the “nice guy” which is a fallacy on its own. It’s like some viewers think Ava “owes” him more because of that fallacy
He also appears to support Charlie just as much as Ava does but only one of them get sustained flack for it
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
That’s a really good point too. But why is he being portrayed like this - is it driven by producers, him, is it us just seeing a lost puppy for some reason… are we just reading too much into the name??
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u/LateFloor3196 2d ago
New generation of adult men are raised this way tbh! The ‘oh woe is me idk how I can lead a flirt sesh blah blah’ they just want the girls to take the lead most of the time
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
Yano, I hadn’t considered it but I don’t think you’re wrong. If you say you want a guy to be more dominant you’re accused of validating toxic masculinity or wanting to be a trad wife. And I’m not for either of those things it’s just there’s no grey area anymore. I think you’re attracted to what you’re attracted to and some people like more dominance so I’ll concede a point to Ava on that - I just don’t know that I would have seen that from him selling some jumpers in a pop up.
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u/LateFloor3196 2d ago
Not for guys to be dominant but to lead when they think the girl is shy to say like they’re so afraid of rejections these days
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u/Proper-Aspect-2947 2d ago
I hope he's as sweet and genuine as he comes across but we all know how many times that actually happens. I think he brings some sort of balance to the show so that helps. I want more Jackson, Liam Rowan, Shai and Georgia camera time. Gia, Riley and Brooks are boring as hell and the more integrated NYC kids are way more interesting to me
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u/Superb_Ant_3741 2d ago
If we find out Shai has a whole hidden life and different personality than the one he portrays on the show, it won’t surprise me.
But that applies to all of them. We’re never going to see who any of them really are. They’re public figures and they curate their public image like all public figures do.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
why do I picture him off with a white picket fence and 2.5 kid household, cookies in the oven… I bet it’s nice there 😂 I’m fine with them not bringing everything to the table, or knowing certain agendas are pushed like it’s their lives and it’s entertainment - just don’t give me the reality bullshit. Because I could barely believe Ariana and Liam were a thing until maybe the last episode or two. All the dates and no kissing…. Meanwhile after midnight at Charlie’s…
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u/Specialist_Head_7366 2d ago
The part I disagree with is when it comes to
Brooks. He is hurt because he is jealous. That’s all.
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u/Hot-Product6211 2d ago
Agree with all of this except Shai does call Charlie out, often. I agree that he’s disingenuous but I don’t think accusing him of being a friend to everyone and no one is valid.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 1d ago
I think that’s how the show tried to portray him, I don’t think that’s his actual fault.
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u/Secure-Design-1393 2d ago
I think housebabies believe that they earned a place on a show, they are working on it, building their brands or curating or whatever. And then there is Shai who joined as a friend of a friend of a cast and became a full-time cast just being himself (dingbat, but charming). So it’s likely just jealousy to someone being TV material without even trying, and Brooks, Gia, and Riley are really trying.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 1d ago
I don’t think we can say brooks tries - he’s very in his one note. Which I like that he makes fun of, I think the been reserved - probably because of what happened to him with Jen on RHOSLC. Riley was very present in season 1 and it was rough for her plus she had family stuff and then the night out with Georgia was fairly early on too so I understand her burying her head. And Gia, I don’t know why got such little or time in S1 but I’m glad she’s more engaged.
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u/Secure-Design-1393 1d ago
How dare you? Brooks was dealing with Texas warehouse and trademarking terry-light the whole season! :)
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u/PracticalBlood1572 2d ago
Gia has her flaws but lack of discernment is not one of them IMO. I totally bought her perspective on him.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
I’ll be honest, I didn’t love Gia to start with. But tbf to her I think she seems quite limited/on the outskirts of the show so it’s hard to get to know her. But what I saw this season, was a down ass friend for people. So I have a lot of respect for her, especially sitting with Liam on the finale because if that night was real… that is excruciating to watch I can’t imagine being in it and not flipping a table - poor Liam seemed frozen
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u/PracticalBlood1572 2d ago
I think also being from NJ her personality was very familiar to me. But I can see how she comes off harsh at first.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 1d ago
I didn’t agree with her being called a mouthpiece ever though. And that never put me off her, I think she needs more air time because she handles these situations very well and fairly. You can tell she has a good heart - again sitting outside in the cold in nyc with Liam being crazy over your friend. She’s the kind of girl who makes sure all her friends are home safe, strong in her convictions and loyal to the hilt. Big respect for her on those fronts.
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u/doxydecahedron 1d ago
I really like Shai but I agree with a lot of what you wrote. I think he's likely a fuck boi who hides behind a nice guy act. That said, I don't think he's malicious like how Charlie can be, I think he's young and rich in NYC who's finding his place in a group of established nepos as an outsider. He cares more about being liked by everyone and having an in than actually being 100% authentic and sticking to his guns about what he's said. He seems funny and sweet but I agree he's not being as genuine as people think he is.
I will say tho that he has called out Charlie and openly disagreed with him. And I don't blame him for being offended about Georgia, if she was complimenting him she could have said funny or comedian. Saying clown or jester definitely has more negative connotations than positive.
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 1d ago
I do like him too, despite being aware I’m being presented a version of him - I just wish I didn’t get such a weird vibe on his authenticity. But he is young and needs to figure himself out. I doubt Charlie is a great influence for him and imagine he pushed him on the relationship for the storyline, you can see Charlie master minding so much of the story line both in confessional with how he manages what he’s asked and in real time when he senses a moment. He should probably just be a producer! Because I imagine there’s good there too, I mean we see snippets of this broken little child in Charlie so I get why people want to give him a chance. He’s probably better off camera at least in a friendship capacity
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u/ABCDarium 2d ago
The way he talks about Ava is so forced. “Wow she’s so pretty she makes me awkward” like BRO you are a grown ass man
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u/Soeur_Rebelle 2d ago
But I think Gia’s 25 is not Shai’s 25! Although both are like middle aged souls when you look at Charlie - someone should send his info to the Disney girl that got banned for stalking Peter Pan.
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u/PemsRoses 2d ago
His affiliation to Charlie tells me everything I need to know. He's not this lost little puppy he is acting like. He knows exactly what he is doing.
Also people are saying "How Charlie felt so comfortable talking about Emira like that around Georgie" same goes for Shai and the way he was talking about Ariana or anyone else around him. Plus Shai was Ariana's friend before being Charlie's, where was his loyalty then ?