Kenyan celebrity hairstylist Jony the Hairdresser has revealed that his decision to embrace cross-dressing publicly was partly motivated by a desire to get back at his former high school classmates.
The makeup artist, whose real name is John Mokuna Mungai, made the revelation during a candid interview on a podcast, where he reflected on the experiences that shaped his public persona.
Jony explained that his decision to step out in makeup, styled hair and feminine clothing was not simply about fashion but also carried a personal meaning connected to his school years.
“When actually cross-dressing and makeup and hair and being in the public eye, it was like a form of revenge to my high school schoolmates,” he said.
The hairstylist recalled that the experience that influenced his decision happened around the time he was completing his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations.
He pointed to the period between his Chemistry practical examination and the Physics paper as a significant moment in his story, although he did not disclose exactly what happened during that time.
Jony’s revelation sparks reactions.
Jony’s remarks have attracted attention amid an ongoing debate surrounding his appearance and decision to use women’s washrooms in public spaces.
The discussion intensified after he explained in an earlier interview that he uses ladies’ facilities because his appearance and voice often lead people to perceive him as a woman.
He also revealed that he informs bouncers and staff about his identity when visiting clubs to avoid potential misunderstandings.
His latest comments about revenge against his former schoolmates have prompted further discussion about the motivations behind his public expression.
@BlackSmith_254 asked: “So how exactly does that hurt his schoolmates? He only hurts himself,” the user commented.
@Nava_creation: “Vitu za high school sahiii,” the user wrote.
@Mo karrykulture criticized the idea of making personal decisions as revenge against others, arguing that such choices could ultimately hurt the person making them.
Jony’s experiences in high school
Jony has previously spoken about difficult experiences during his school years, including a near-fatal assault by classmates linked to his failure to conform to conventional expectations of masculinity.
Despite those experiences, he has built a career in the beauty industry, working as a hairstylist and makeup artist for personalities in Kenya’s entertainment scene.
His latest revelation offers another glimpse into the experiences behind his public image, while the reactions show that his explanation has generated different opinions among Kenyans online.
