Making it in life is not an easy task yet it is something we all strive for. Basically we all want the blood, sweat and tears because we have to go through all that so that we can arrive at the light at the end of the tunnel. That’s what life’s all about.
Every now and then we have young girls fresh out of school walk into our Ghafla offices asking what it takes to be the next Sidika or Huddah even after all the exposes we’ve done on what work they really do. And though we may judge them, sometimes I ask myself what’s the difference between what Vera and some of these celebs did to get where they are today, in the end they all had to go through the shit that life threw at them to arrive at the fame.
Now I know some of the readers might crucify me for saying that but it’s the truth. Some of us worship these celebs like they are gods among men but really they are just human like us, only they were brave enough to go through the shit and pit-stains of life to get where they are.
Eric Omondi
Now known as the King of East African comedy, Eric is just a boy that moved from Kisumu to Nairobi in search of a better life.
When he arrived at the city he did all kinds of hustles just to get by. And hustling in Nairobi can be a treacherous endeavor. He was hired at the Kenya Revenue Authority to work as an errand boy and arrange files.
As a side-hustle he acted as a clown for children’s parties and also performed as an acrobat. But thanks to all the organizational skills he acquired while at KRA, Eric probably doesn’t need a mboch or any woman to organize his sock and underwear drawer like most men would. Lucky him.
Jua Cali
The King of Genge himself, Paul Nunda a.k.a. Jua Cali, I would compare him to Luscious Lyon from the series Empire. Because before building the Calif Records ‘empire’ with clemo, Jua Cali worked as an electrician and fixed his neighbors electronics and used the little equipment he got to build the great Calif Records studios at one of Nairobi’s worst and dangerous slums.
But don’t feel sorry for him, the bright side is Jua Cali will probably never a cold shower in his life because he doesn’t need an electrician to fix his broken heater.
Mejja
Nemeye Khadija’s story a.k.a. Mejja is probably the most inspiring of all. This former Nyeri-boy before joining Calif Records and then becoming the Major of ‘The Kansol’ used to sell groundnuts and not to the models of our society but to miraa lovers.
As a side hustle he used to paste concert posters for other celebrities like Jua Cali. Little did he know he would one day join Jua Cali at Calif Records and get to where he is now.
I’m sure Mejja is glad he is no longer living amongst the fearsome Nyeri women with their reputation of violence.
Amani
Amani, real names Cecelia Wairimu is easily the queen of Kenyan RnB. No, not the queen of Rice n Beans, the queen of RnB you know like Mary J Blige.
But before making it to the throne, Amani was a supermarket salesperson at a Supermarket in Nairobi. And she probably made a killing smiling at strange men just so they could buy from her.
Amileena
Her star first shone at the Tusker Project Fame Season 4 but though she didn’t emerge the winner that season or even runner up for that matter, she became more famous and has worked with several established artists in the industry.
Before TPF4 Amileena lived in South Africa as a student and when she was not hitting the books she worked as a waitress, housekeeper and baby sitter just to make extra cash.
I’m sure changing babies’ diapers is not a delightful job but in the end she had enough practice for when she has her own litter.
Even the brightest of stars from Hollywood are no exceptions. For example;
Jay Z
Before ascending to the throne of Hip-hop, he used to be a drug dealer. He says he’s grateful because that’s when he acquired his great business sense.
Victoria Beckham
She was a dancing sperm. No, seriously. Victoria Beckham used to play the part of a dancing sperm on roller-skates for a BBC sex-education show.
Channing Tatum
Ever wondered why his movie ‘Magic Mike’ was such a hit, that’s because before the fame Channing was a male stripper for a whole month when he was 19.
Whoopi Goldberg
She used to beautify dead bodies. Her’s is probably the worst job out there but it’s probably when she came up with most of her life’s philosophies.
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie applied to become a funeral director.
Now to the whole point of this story, your favorite mobile service provider Orange is giving young aspiring youth like yourself a chance to get out of that squeezed apartment in Githurai and become famous.
Orange is bringing you the Star Africa Sounds 2015 Music Contest, the biggest pan-African music competition. So if you believe you can sing your way out of an ordinary boring life into riches and fame…
