Former Tahidi High actress Miss Morgan, born Angel Waruinge, has shared intimate details about the personal and professional challenges that led her into depression. Speaking to media personality Alex Mwakideu on his podcast, she reflected on her time on the iconic TV show, the pressures of fame, and the coping mechanisms she adopted, some of which proved harmful.
Miss Morgan revealed that playing the role of a strict principal on Tahidi High came with celebrity status she struggled to maintain. “I was forced to live in the city because I was forced to meet societal expectations,” she said. She admitted that she often spent beyond her means to meet the image society expected, a factor that contributed to her stress and depression.
The actress criticized her former employers for the disparity between the show’s high earnings and the modest salaries paid to actors. While Tahidi High reportedly generated millions weekly, her maximum pay was KSh 25,000 per episode, and actors received no royalties. She noted that at times payments came in bulk, but financial insecurity and lack of long-term planning weighed heavily on her.
The COVID-19 pandemic worsened her struggles, leading to unemployment and a deeper descent into depression. During this period, Miss Morgan turned to alcohol as a coping mechanism, which eventually became an addiction. “I could count how many days I had not drunk. It became an expensive habit and ended up being an addiction,” she confessed. She acknowledged that her drinking brought her close to suicidal thoughts, though she stressed that her alcohol intake was moderate in volume but damaging to her mental health.
Support came from her mother, to whom she turned for help. “When I said I needed help, she told me that was the best decision I ever made,” Miss Morgan shared. She emphasized the importance of self-care, mental well-being, and having a proper support system. She also reflected that, if given another chance, she might have chosen a different career path and advised others to let go of the myth of perfection.
Miss Morgan expressed admiration for former colleagues like Abel Mutua and Phil Karanja, who have succeeded in the local film industry through sacrifices and focus. She acknowledged that she once spent on a lavish lifestyle instead of planning for the future, but she finds joy in seeing others succeed.
Her candid reflections offer a stark look at the pressures of fame, the importance of financial planning, and the need for mental health support in the entertainment industry.
