Aussie ‘Mob Wives’ aims to show softer side of life with criminals

EXCLUSIVE: Wives and girlfriends gathering to make an Australian version of US TV hit Mob Wives are out to debunk myths about their lives with criminals.

“It shows a different layer to the stigma that is associated with us,” says Lisa Candido of the new TV pilot. Picture: NKR Images

• RHOS reunion: They’re too nasty for the US market
• Producers of Real Housewives forced to censor, delete posts

TV has given us the real housewives of Sydney and Melbourne — and now women married to mobsters are to get their moment on the small screen.

The Sunday Telegraph can reveal the wives and girlfriends of Australia’s top crime families have shot a pilot based on hit US series Mob Wives.

Roberta Williams, the widow of murdered criminal kingpin Carl Williams, will take a starring role alongside prominent women from gangster families in ­Sydney and ­Melbourne.

Candido has role on the show as “peacekeeper”. Picture: NKR Images

Stefani Samac, the 21-year-old daughter of convicted drug smuggler Tomislav Samac, and Raquael Villani, 39-year-old daughter of Melbourne underworld figure Pasquale Villani, are in the pilot.

Bill Bayeh’s on/off girlfriend Leyla Yavuz also features, while single mum and “underworld socialite” Lisa Candido is known as the group “peacekeeper”.

A scene from a gym boxing ring is filmed for the pilot.

“I’ve moved in many circles over the years and hold long-term friendships as a result,” said Candido, 39, who has an 11-year-old son.

“The difference between this and the American Mob Wives show is that the US version was all pretty much past tense about the mob. The Aussie show, the women’s stories are all still very fresh and in people’s minds.

“I think people will love it because when you see the ladies together, there is a special energy.”

Williams, 48, has four children, including daughter Dhakota with Williams. Their story was told in the 2008 ­Underbelly series.

“People think they know me and they know my story but Australia has seen nothing yet,” Williams said. “I am a mum trying to do my thing. I reckon even the haters will like me after they see this, they’ll see how fun I am.”

Analya Diaz, the ex-­girlfriend of Roberta Williams’ son Tye Stephens, is also in the show. The pilot wasn’t without its dramas, with spies close to the set confirming Williams came to blows with at least one of her co-stars.

Analya Diaz.

Raquael Villani.

“She was really revolting,” Williams said, not divulging the identity of her foe.

“The things that came out of her mouth shocked me — and it takes a lot to shock me.”

Yavuz, who has a 13-month-old son, grew up around Kings Cross and has known Bayeh, also fictionalised in the Underbelly series, since she was a teenager.

“Even though we have been around drama all our life living in the ghetto, we want to show people we aren’t fake, evil gangsta bitches,” Yavuz said.

Leyla Yavuz.

Stefani Samac.

“It isn’t all about the bad stuff and the underworld. It is about our lives and what we are doing to better ourselves and others. I am a mother and I want to be a good role model for my child.”

All of the women are hoping to shed light on their world, saying it isn’t as bad as many would think. And they’re all clear that they don’t want to glorify anything.

“It shows a different layer to the stigma that is associated with us,” Candido said.

“Everybody will be keen to peel off the layers, particularly with Roberta, and see there’s a deeper, softer side to these ­ladies.

“The culture is quite ­different in this world. These women are not just tough on the outside, there is a strong loyalty and culture.”