When it comes to achieving stardom on social media and gaining popularity, there appears to be no fixed formula for what resonates with people and garners their support.
Gen Z influencer Kate Thuku, at the tender age of 20, is well-acquainted with this reality. Her repertoire primarily consists of dance challenges, but she has recently joined forces with brands as an ambassador.
With nearly half a million followers, this TikTok sensation has her sights set on becoming the next major influencer in Kenya, following in the footsteps of Azziad Asenya, who also began her journey by tackling TikTok challenges.
The 20-year-old business student now collaborates with brands, leveraging the popularity of her online videos.
Kate recently clinched the highly competitive title of "Next Generation Influencer of the Year" at the prestigious Pulse Awards. She describes this recognition as the first of many milestones in her career, saying, "I was praying for this award, but just being nominated was good enough for me. So, to win means being acknowledged for all the hard work I've put into my videos, and that feels incredibly rewarding.
This achievement is the gateway to more significant awards and exciting opportunities, and I'm eagerly looking forward to that."
In a conversation with Standard Entertainment, Kate reveals that her passion for dance and content creation is deeply rooted in her identity. Her fascination with dance dates back to her childhood, where she would choreograph mini-performances for her family. However, it wasn't until she discovered the potential of TikTok that her love for dancing transformed into a bona fide career.
Despite her youth at the age of 20, Kate acknowledges the sacrifices she's made to stay on the path to achieving her goals. She has chosen to forgo many common young adult experiences, such as partying and recklessness, in order to protect the image of the brands she represents. She emphasizes, "There are certain sacrifices I had to make because I'm known as an influencer. When I'm out there, I can't be seen just anywhere, and I have to be cautious about who I'm seen with. People my age have more freedom to make mistakes, but I have to protect both the brands I work with and my own image."
Kate also opens up about the jealousy she encounters among her peers, explaining, "Some people don't understand how I achieved my level of success, and they believe I don't deserve it. As a result, I receive a lot of hateful comments from people my age. That's why I choose to surround myself with fellow influencers, as they can relate to my experiences."
In the realm of social media, there is no rule book for guaranteed success. Kate believes that staying true to herself as a fun-loving young creator is the key to connecting with others.
She acknowledges that putting oneself out there also means becoming a target for hate comments and scrutiny. She reflects on the misconceptions she faces when telling people she's a content creator, stating, "They don't believe I possess a skill and therefore don't take me seriously. However, I've secured lucrative business deals through my presence on social media, collaborating with betting companies, travel companies, and other businesses in just one year.
TikTok is my workplace, and like others who clock in for work, I decide when and what I shoot, including arranging locations and equipment. This is a job, which is why I supported the government's decision to tax content creators, with the condition that they reinvest in creators."
She also discusses the challenges she encountered when explaining her career choice to her conservative parents. Kate says, "I come from an extremely conservative background, so my parents initially struggled to understand or support my dancing for the camera. However, as they've witnessed my ability to sustain myself, collaborate with brands, and establish a name for myself, they have gradually come around. In their time, such a career was unheard of, so I understand their initial resistance."
Looking ahead, Kate expresses her contentment with her current career in social media and aspires to expand her presence in the field. She values the independence of being her own boss, crafting her schedule, and selecting her collaborators. With her business degree, she seeks to enhance the success of her personal brand.
In five years, she envisions herself continuing to thrive in social media on a larger scale and hopes to mentor other creators to help them make their platforms significant.
In closing, Kate emphasizes that influencers should not be underestimated, as this emerging field is a legitimate career for many. She appeals to Kenyans to support local talent and create opportunities, saying, "We are entertainers, just like other performers, and as long as we have platforms, we will continue to thrive."
