Jamal Gaddafi: Why Joho gave me a sh250, 000 Hublot watch

 Jamal Gaddafi and Hassan Joho

Pulse: Congrats for winning the Best dressed male media personality in Africa during the Abryanz Style and Fashion awards - for the second year running. Did you expect to win this time round?

Jamal: I had a strong feeling that I would bring the award home. My fans have really been very supportive and I owe them for this. This gave me confidence and I can tell you that I had even prepared my speech before leaving for Uganda.

P: What does the award mean to you?

J: It’s so big to me because last year I was nominated in the East African category and now this is continental. That means my brand is growing.

P: Among the other nominees in the category; Katleho Sinivasan (South Africa), Uti Nwachukwu (Nigeria), George Ndirangu (Rwanda) and Denola Grey (Nigeria), who was your greatest competition?

J: The Nigerian guy Nwachukwu and Denola Grey posed the greatest challenge.

P: What does fashion mean to you?

J: Fashion is about expressing your identity, showing someone who you are through your fashion choices and using your clothes to tell someone something about you.

P: How do you describe your style?

J: Casual and classy. Besides, I like to dress according to my mood.

P: Who inspires you look?

J: Cristiano Ronaldo and Mariano Di Vaio. I am usually dressed by a guy called Lookman whom I refer as Davydo. I mostly go for second hand camera pieces, so thrift shopping is my hobby. I avoid boutiques because you get everyone rocking same outfits.

P: Not so long ago you were flaunting shoes worth millions. How much was it?

J: That was a Salvatore Ferragamo design. They cost me well above $300 (Sh31, 000). Besides my most expensive is Balenciaga which cost me Sh64, 000. You have to spend to look good.

P: What is the most expensive buy in your wardrobe?

J: My Hublot watch that went for Sh250, 000. It was a present from my brother Joho after I won the Best Dressed Media Personality award last year.

P: And talking about Joho, you have a lot of merchandise branded with the Mombasa Governor’s stuff. Are you guys tight or …is it a political statement?

J: We are so tight. He is a mentor, a brother and godfather to me. In fact one of my aka is 001junior and at the moment am working with him as chief communications officer.

P: Your fashion sense also complements you on your TV show. Are you careful how you look every time you are hosting?

J: Of course since one of the things my fans look forward to see when I’m on TV is my attitude, you know.

P: Someone was trying to insinuate that you copy Diamond in his look? Is it true?

J: I think Diamond is good in music and I am good in my field of fashion and presenting. He neither copies me nor do I copy him.

P: Do you think your TV show Maisha Mzuqa is the biggest music show in the country?

J: Yeah, it’s one of the biggest show in the country. They say numbers don’t lie. Am humbled and grateful for the fact that we have a strong and faithful following.

P: Do you think Willy Tuva is your closest competition?

J: I get that a lot…like guys trying to compare me and Tuva. To say the truth, I have much respect for what he does and the contribution he has made to the Kenyan music industry.

P: Out of your showbiz popularity, do you consider yourself a celeb?

J: Am just famous! Initially, when I started out, I used to feel very uncomfortable with all this attentions. But as you grow in your career, fans start acknowledging your need for privacy. I really don’t see being famous as a hassle. I guess it’s an aspect that comes with my job.

P: How do you deal with all the attention you receive from female fans?

J: The question isn’t how I deal with it, but whether I enjoy it or not.

P: So do you love it?

J: (Laughs) Yes…I love it a lot. There would be a problem if I did not receive women’s attention. It makes me feel really good.

P: Is it true that girls still hit on you even when they know you are taken?

J: I feel that girls really like men who are open about their relationships. Girls like men who are publiclly committed as it shows that they can make loyal mates.

P: What is the most daring thing a female fan has ever attempted on you?

J: A girl asked me for a picture and I innocently offered her. After that, she posted it on social media and told the whole world I was dating her. That was bizarre.

P: Now that you are a family man, does your wife feel insecure from of all that attention you get from other women?

J: Yeah! She has a heart. I just can’t help but respect how she handles all this.

In fact, I really don’t understand why celebrities should feel the need to hide their relationship status. I think that such people really don’t respect their partners.

P: How much are you worth?

J: (Laughs) Am just very rich in heart.