Kenyan singer Nikita Kering has opened up about a difficult period in her school life, revealing how her confidence and outgoing personality sometimes made her a target of bullying. The singer reflected on her experiences during a candid sit-down interview with Parents Africa Magazine, where she spoke about the impact that negative reactions from both teachers and fellow students had on her self-image. Kering described herself as naturally confident and someone who was never afraid to volunteer for artistic activities or perform in front of others. However, instead of always receiving encouragement, she said some people appeared uncomfortable with the way she expressed herself. Looking back as an adult and established artist, Kering said those experiences affected how freely she presented herself and contributed to a habit of hiding parts of who she was.
During the interview, Kering recalled being particularly enthusiastic about artistic activities while she was at school. She said she was often willing to put herself forward when opportunities to sing, perform or participate in creative projects came up. Her confidence was something she viewed naturally at the time, but she later realised that not everyone responded positively to it. According to the singer, some teachers did not appreciate her willingness to stand out, while bullying from peers added another layer to an already difficult experience. The combination left Kering questioning herself and wondering whether there was something wrong with the way she behaved. What she once viewed as confidence gradually became something she felt she needed to control.
Kering described her younger self as “shamelessly confident”, explaining that she did not hesitate to volunteer for artistic projects or sing in front of other people. That confidence could have been encouraged in a school environment, particularly because creative opportunities can help young people discover and develop their talents. Instead, Kering said her enthusiasm sometimes appeared to make others uncomfortable. She believes some people may have felt intimidated by her confidence or feared that she would overshadow them. At the time, however, she did not have the perspective to understand why her personality was receiving such a negative reaction.
The singer also spoke openly about being bullied by teachers, an experience that appears to have been particularly difficult for her. Teachers often play an important role in helping young people develop confidence, identify their strengths and feel comfortable expressing themselves. When a student instead feels criticised or rejected by those in positions of authority, that experience can have a lasting effect on how they view themselves. Kering recalled reaching a point where she believed there was something wrong with her because of the way people reacted to her. Her comments highlight how repeated negative feedback during formative years can make someone question qualities that are actually part of their identity and strengths.
Kering now views some of those experiences differently and believes jealousy may have played a role in the treatment she received. She reflected that her confidence and visibility could have made other people feel overshadowed or intimidated. She explained that she was not necessarily trying to make herself more important than anyone else, but simply felt comfortable participating and showing what she could do. That distinction became clearer to her with age and experience. What she once interpreted as a personal flaw is now something she can recognise as a quality that needed protection rather than suppression.
The impact of those school experiences did not disappear when Kering completed high school. She revealed that the bullying contributed to her decision to hide more of what she was doing and became a factor in her reluctance to share her work publicly. Social media, which has become an important part of modern music careers, was particularly challenging for her. Although artists are often expected to maintain an online presence, Kering said she had to consciously push herself to become comfortable with content creation. Her struggle shows that confidence in performing does not always translate into confidence when an artist has to constantly present their personal life and work to a public audience.
Kering’s comments also offer insight into the less visible challenges that can accompany a career in entertainment. An artist may appear confident on stage while privately dealing with fears created by earlier experiences of criticism or rejection. For Kering, the process of becoming more comfortable with sharing content has involved confronting feelings that developed during her school years. Her honesty suggests that personal growth does not always mean completely leaving difficult experiences behind. It can also involve understanding how those experiences shaped certain behaviours and deliberately working to change them.
The singer’s story is likely to resonate with people who were discouraged from expressing themselves when they were younger. Many young people discover their talents through activities such as music, drama, dance, public speaking and sport, but their confidence can be affected when those efforts attract ridicule instead of support. Kering’s experience shows why encouragement matters when young people display a willingness to participate and explore their abilities. Confidence can be difficult to rebuild once someone learns to associate visibility with criticism. Her decision to speak publicly about that part of her life also demonstrates how revisiting painful experiences can help create a better understanding of the person someone has become.
For Kering, the journey from a confident schoolgirl to an established singer has involved more than developing her musical abilities. She has also had to work through the emotional effects of being made to feel that her personality was too much for others. Her reflections show that some of the challenges artists face do not begin in the music industry but can follow them from much earlier stages of their lives. By acknowledging how bullying influenced her relationship with visibility and social media, she has offered a more personal perspective on her career. Her willingness to discuss the experience also reinforces the importance of allowing people to retain their confidence rather than making them feel ashamed of standing out.
Nikita Kering’s account of her school years presents a reminder that confidence should not automatically be treated as arrogance or a threat. The singer once questioned herself because her enthusiasm and willingness to participate attracted negative reactions, but she has since gained a different understanding of those experiences. Her story shows how bullying can influence a person’s behaviour long after the original incidents have ended, including how they communicate, share their work and allow themselves to be seen. By speaking about those experiences openly, Kering is giving fans a glimpse into the personal journey behind the confident performer they see today. Her continued effort to embrace content creation and public expression suggests that she is reclaiming the parts of herself she once felt pressured to hide.
