Fast-rising comedian Elsa Majimbo (pictured) has won the 2020 E! People’s Choice Awards, a first for the local entertainment industry.
The 19-year-old, whose Instagram posts attract hundreds of thousands of views and likes, won in an awards show that had in it some of the biggest names in global entertainment, including Will Smith, Charlize Theron, Megan Thee Stallion, The Weeknd, Lady Gaga and Cardi B.
Elsa, who won the African Social Star 2020 category, had been nominated alongside Nigerian content creator Dimma Umeh, South African stars Sho Madjozi, Thuso Mbedu, Wian, Karl Kugelmann and Zozi Tunzi, and Ghanaian actress Lydia Forson.
After her win, the delighted star, who has South African roots, took to her social media handles to thank her fans.
“I won the E! People’s Choice Award! I literally could not have done it without all of your amazing support,” she posted yesterday morning after the Sunday awards that were held virtually.
“This year has been a whirlwind of discomfort and confusion for everybody, but for me it has also brought with it a great lesson, that sometimes even the greatest obstacles in our path can be opportunities in disguise. A big thank you to the people at @eentertainment for recognising the game,” said an elated Elsa in a post that got more than 154,000 likes within two hours.
Elsa rose to popularity at the start of the Covid-19 lockdown period after unleashing her comical skills to entertain people worldwide. Her videos, which often feature her laughing uproariously, eating crisps and wearing dark sunglasses, have become a global sensation.
She has been recognised by international celebrities, including American rapper Snoop Dogg and comedian Steve Harvey.
She has 1.1 million followers on Instagram, a photo and video-sharing platform, where she refers to herself as a ‘professional bragger’.
In an early 2020 video, she stirred debate online after saying she would only consider marrying a man who is able and willing to pay Sh400 million as her bride price.
Elsa went truly viral in March this year after posting a video where she spoke about being in isolation after the government imposed movement restrictions to curb the spread of Covid-19.
“Ever since corona started, we’ve all been in isolation, and I, like, miss no one. Why am I missing you? There is no reason for me to miss you … do I pay your rent? Do I provide food for you? Why are you missing me?” she asks
Speaking to CNN soon after, Elsa said she did not expect the video to get the kind of attention it did.
“It was the time we had just got into lockdown, and everyone was telling me they missed me, and I literally like being away from people, so I thought to myself, ‘Let me make a video about that’. I did not expect all the attention, but it happened, and I am glad it did,” the straight-shooting teenager said.
And since then, she has been rising to greater heights. Elsa recently landed a gig with superstar Rihanna’s Fenty Beauty brand.
“My 19-year-old self literally got a chance to work with Fenty. I’m so proud! Thanking the Fenty fam, they’ve been so amazing, and Rihanna for this amazing brand!” wrote Elsa.
And the wins keep coming. When American journalist Anderson Cooper interviewed her on his show Full Circle to talk about life during quarantine, she said: “Anderson Cooper interviewed me and I can’t begin to express how lucky he is to have done so, but seriously, I am so honoured and happy to get to share my weirdness with the world.”
Despite her popularity abroad, Elsa has claimed that many Kenyans do not find her funny as most of her jokes address global problems.
“It’s funny that my comedy has garnered more fans outside my own country.”
