Award-winning Kenyan star Nikita Kering has opened up about the psychological toll of finding fame as a child. During a candid interview on the Mic Cheque Podcast, the singer revealed how 15 years in the industry shaped her behaviour and mental health.
Kering, now a powerhouse in the African music scene, began her professional journey at the age of nine. While many see her success as a dream, she described a more complex reality behind the scenes.
A Childhood in the Spotlight
Kering’s career began with radio hosting at the age of 11 and television hosting by 13. She earned 5,000 Kenyan shillings per episode, saving the money to fund her future music. By the time she turned 18, she had already conducted over 100 interviews.
However, this early success came with a price. Kering admitted that being a public figure from such a young age "messed up" her mental health and behaviour for a long time.
“Whoever thought it was a good idea to give me the gifts that I have, I’m grateful. But the pressure is secondary to that. I must say, I think it really messed up my mental health, my behaviour for a long time, because I built an ego very early... I felt entitled to certain things a little bit too early on in my life," she told the podcast crew.
The Struggle to be a 'Nobody'
One of Kering's most profound realisations is that she never experienced a "normal" childhood. She explained that she has never known what it feels like to be a nobody.
As an adult, this has led to a strange paradox. She often finds herself desiring the anonymity she never had. This feeling grew so strong that she recently began running away from attention, which she admitted was jeopardising her career.
"I’ve never known what it is to be a nobody, and that’s very important... as an adult, I’m desiring that feeling of being a nobody," Kering explained.
Facing Industry Pressures
Beyond her internal struggles, Kering faced external pressures from the industry. She spoke about being over-sexualised as a minor. Because of her physical appearance, people often perceived her as much older than she was, leading to uncomfortable situations with friends and colleagues.
She also highlighted the "ageism" female artists face. Kering revealed that she has been told by industry figures that her time is "over" once she turns 25. She noted that male artists are rarely subjected to the same expiration dates.
Reclaiming Control
To cope with the pressure and a struggle with decision-making, Kering took the drastic step of shaving her hair last year. She wanted to prove to herself that she could make a firm choice and live with the consequences.
She is now focusing on her new project, the Lickback EP. The project marks a period of "power reclamation" after a difficult time involving debt and label disputes.
