When embattled reality TV personality Mel Viljoen was released from a detention centre in the US on Friday, there was one craving she simply couldn’t resist – a Starbucks coffee. And that was the very first thing she did. And after that? Her nails.

‘When I stood in Starbucks, I completely forgot I could buy food. I just laughed! I’m not used to having options,’ she told News24’s sister publication Rapport.

‘I want to have my hair done. Nails and a facial. I just want to feel groomed again.’

According to News24, Mel spent the past two months in the custody of the US immigration watchdog (ICE) after she and her husband Peet were arrested in Florida for alleged shoplifting.

Mel was eventually held in Denver, Colorado, while Peet is still in California. Last Friday, Mel received permission from an immigration judge to leave the country voluntarily, and was finally able to taste freedom.

Mel says she now needs to pack her things and must leave the country before the end of June.

She currently has a tracking device on her ankle.

‘I’d really like to wait for Peet. The poor guy is still stuck … I’m on my way to pack now,’ she said.

When Mel first spoke to Rapport after her release, Peet was still waiting for a court date. He’d been struggling to get a date since he was detained, but will likely also now apply to leave the country voluntarily.

However, early on Saturday morning (SA time), Peet was finally given a date to appear before an immigration judge.

The couple are controversial SA entrepreneurs and former reality television stars, known for appearing on The Real Housewives of Pretoria.

They relocated to the US in 2025.

Full News24 report