Nime-chill: Joyce Maina’s unforgettable TV debut
By Josephine NjorogeRenowned Kenyan actress Joyce Maina has recently gained significant attention after an old commercial she appeared in more than a decade ago reappeared on TikTok, generating buzz among netizens.
The advert, originally broadcast between 2011 and 2013, showcased Maina portraying a high school student who garnered the interest of male classmates but turned down their advances with a calm “Nime-chill” gesture.
Joyce’s venture into the entertainment field commenced shortly after she completed high school and was on the verge of enrolling in University.
“So for some weird reason, this video has been doing the rounds. It has been doing rounds for years, but this year it has really exploded. I was so young, I don’t think I even recognize that version of myself,” she stated.
The media personality narrated how she ended up landing her first gig on TV which inadvertently inspired her acting career.
“So what happened was, a friend of a friend knew someone who owned an agency, I didn’t even understand what agencies did, but I connected with him, and at the time these auditions were happening and he told me I should go,” she narrated.
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The actress said she turned down the opportunity a couple of times before she accepted as she was doubtful of fitting the role.
“I didn’t show up. He called the second time I still didn’t show, and then he called again the third time now when they were doing a screen test. He told me to come through because the client wasn’t quite satisfied with the person they settled on,” said Joyce.
“So basically they were looking for someone who would pass for 15-16, and my superpower to date is looking way younger than my age. I didn’t think it was for me and I even tried recommending other people who would be a better fit but he insisted I show up,” she added.
Despite feeling uncertain about the role and almost giving it up, through the TikTok video of her explaining how she landed the role. Joyce said once the cameras started rolling, she figured that acting was her calling, she landed the role in the abstinence ad and took acting as a career.
Since then she has worked tirelessly to build her career and she has made a name for herself in Kenya’s film industry.
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In 2015, Joyce began to make waves in the industry, starting with her role as Tindi in the TV series Sumu la Penzi. Her performance in the series was widely acclaimed, and it opened doors for her to star in more productions.
In 2017, she starred in the TV movie Aisha, where she played the lead role of Aisha. The same year, she appeared in the short film Neophobia, playing the role of Fiona Bosibori.
In 2018, Joyce was cast as Samantha in the film Disconnect, which explored themes of love and technology. She also had a recurring role as Collette in the telenovela Selina, which aired from 2018 to 2020. Her role in Selina was well-received, and it cemented her status as one of the rising stars in the Kenyan entertainment industry.
In 2021, Joyce landed a major role in the TV series Monica, where she played the character of Vivian Jiwe. The series, which aired for 38 episodes, was widely watched and garnered critical acclaim.
In 2022, Joyce starred in the film Kamtupe and made a guest appearance in the TV series Crime and Justice. Joyce’s latest project is the upcoming film The Lion Roars No More, where she plays the role of Mrs Makonge. The film is set to be released in 2023.
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