In Season 1 of “Shahs of Sunset,” a group of friends is attempting to combine the expectations of their families and traditions with the rigors of their vibrant social lives and burgeoning jobs.
These ardent socialites are eager to date and have a good time, but because they want their families’ approval, they feel pressure to settle down and get married in the neighborhood.
This series celebrates the distinctive lifestyle of friends who have worked hard for what they have and are not ashamed to flaunt it, from trips on Rodeo Drive to traditional Persian feasts at home.
Cast of Shahs of Sunset Season 1
- Reza Farahan – an actor, real estate agent, reality television star, and an openly gay Persian
- Golnesa Gharachedaghi – an actress, professional model, and reality television star
- Mercedes Javid – an Iranian estate mediator, body and figure, vivacious diva, and reality television star
- Mike Shouhed – a businessman, real estate agent, and reality television star
- Asa Soltan Rahmati – an aspiring entrepreneur, actress, and reality television star
- Sammy Younai – an entrepreneur, real estate developer, and reality television star
Episode 1 - Image Is Everything
Six Persian-American pals leading a lavish lifestyle in Los Angeles are introduced in this first episode of the series. The gang strives to balance the demands of their busy social and professional life with the expectations of their families and traditions. There is drama among the friends at dinner and a fancy pool party complete with a tiger.
With her distinctive wardrobe, Asa Soltan Rahmati isolates herself, while Mercedes Javid’s marriage resentment is displayed at a bridal shop. There are whispers that Golnesa Gharachedaghi and Mike Shouhed may be more than just buddies because GG seems envious of Mike’s date.
Episode 2 - It's My Birthday, Bitches
Reza Farahan invites the group to his extravagant 38th birthday celebration in Las Vegas. Still, tensions rise after GG and MJ engage in gossipy trash-talking with Reza’s friend Anita Gohari, endangering Reza’s birthday weekend. There is a lot of champagne being sipped from flutes and alcohol being consumed from bottles, including some puking by an inebriated MJ, who subsequently gets hosed off by Reza.
Reza asserts that he gives his rowdy friends the boot by smacking them in the face or submerging them in a cold shower. In this case, MJ also receives the inebriated royal treatment by being immersed in the bubble bath.
Episode 3 - Champagne Wars
Reza is furious with Golnesa for how she behaved during his birthday weekend, and when she gets home from Vegas, she must endure his fury. Sammy Younai tries to win over a powerful Beverly Hills real estate developer, while Mike has a new real estate listing that could bring in the massive money he’s been looking for. Reza hosts a Champagne tasting party to test everyone’s palate sophistication.
Anita and GG are increasingly tense until things escalate into a fight in the kitchen. GG questions Anita to see if she has anything to say to her. GG deceives Anita by claiming that she never intended for her dress to be from a previous season and that she only raved about how stunning Anita looked in it. According to GG, Anita should quit listening to everyone else because they are all lying to her.
Episode 4 - Waiting for MJ
When Mohamed returns from vacation and inspects the renovations made to his opulent Beverly Hills house, Sammy is put in a difficult situation. Asa performs her music for a significant producer and begins to experience pressure to fit into a specific mold. After giving up on waiting for MJ to bring her up, Asa shows up.
At the gathering, GG praises Asa’s musical and artistic ability. Asa needed this confidence boost because she left her meeting feeling a little trampled. When MJ arrives four hours late to the festivities at GG’s parents’ 40th wedding anniversary party, she risks losing her cool.
Episode 5 - The Shahs of Great Neck
GG complains to her sister about a fight with Asa and MJ at “Girls’ Night,” but she receives little understanding for her explosive anger. Reza goes to Long Island to address his father about the long-running family difficulties to get some closure. He learns something about his family’s past that is more upsetting and emotional than he could have imagined.
Reza brings his father outside to have a heart-to-heart conversation with him for leaving him and not trying to remain in touch for the previous 17 years. Reza’s father attempts to explain the pressure he was under due to his religious differences and offers an apology. He claims that after cheating on Reza’s mother, he was overcome with guilt and departed.
Episode 6 - Old Friends New Problems
Mike finally acknowledges the underlying love tension between him and GG. Asa acquires a significant new supporter and performs “Tehrangeles” for some of the most influential members of the Persian community. On a double blind date that Sammy and MJ set up, MJ brings a “good girl” for Sammy. MJ is appalled to learn that Sammy does not reciprocate.
Reza’s emotional trip to New York City serves as inspiration for MJ, who chooses to have a twenty-year-old showdown with her controlling mother. Reza’s counsel is followed, and MJ confronts her mother over lunch. She tells her that her mother’s constant criticism of her is impacting her and making life more complicated than it needs to be.
Turning the tables on her, MJ’s mother claims that her lack of success and unsuitability for marriage are due to her own decisions, not anything she did to MJ. We want to reach through the television screen, embrace MJ tightly, and tell her how awesome she is since the dialogue is so terrible to witness.
Shahs of Sunset Season 1 Quick Facts
- an American reality television series
- aired on Bravo TV from March 11, 2012, to April 15, 2012
- executive producers are Ryan Seacrest, Lorraine Haughton-Lawson, Steven Weinstock, Eric Gardner, Glenda Hersh, Lauren Eskelin, Julie Lombardi, Chaz Morgan, and Angela Rae Berg
- under Ryan Seacrest Productions and Truly Original
- consists of 6 episodes