Azziad Nasenya: My plans to rise above TikTok fame
Content creator Azziad Nasenya rose to fame through her viral TikTok videos, experiencing an instant transformation in her life and public perception. Instead of dwelling on how others defined her or her success, she remained focused on her own identity.
In an exclusive interview with Nairobi News, Azziad shared her deep-rooted faith and constant prayerfulness.
“I have always prayed to God, I’m a prayerful person. And one thing that I’ve always asked God, since way back, is to give me humility. And let me always remember where I come from. And I feel like those are one of those things that have just kept me grounded,” Azziad told Nairobi News.
Adding, “I love working in silence and letting my success speak for me.”
It didn’t take long before her talents garnered international recognition. During the peak of the pandemic, Azziad was nominated for the African Social Star category at the prestigious E! People’s Choice Awards.
Subsequently, she was appointed as the Official Global Ambassador for Save Our Future, a campaign supported by numerous organizations worldwide.
Also read: Azziad Nasenya: Behind the scenes of her TikTok stardom – Exclusive
The initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of education in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
“I’m grateful that I’m being recognised internationally because that is one of the things that I as a brand, intend to do, not only be local, but also do more things internationally. So the international awards mean so much. I am grateful. And it’s just an honour to know that aside from Kenya, aside from East Africa, aside from Africa, I’m also being acknowledged and identified, worldwide.”
Grateful for her international recognition, Azziad expressed her intention as a brand to extend her impact beyond local boundaries and engage in more international endeavors.
Considering the rapidly evolving technological landscape, Azziad acknowledged the ever-changing nature of the internet and the need for content creators to adapt quickly.
“Technology is changing a lot. And that is the beauty and the strange thing about the internet. Today you’re going to wake up the algorithm is this, two weeks later, things have changed. So as a content creator, all you have to do is learn how to move into the next thing. Learn how to adapt, learn how to change quickly.”
Staying ahead requires learning new skills and having a supportive team to help navigate the shifting trends.
Azziad explained, “Sometimes I don’t have time to like, keep track of what is happening. So the team will be like, ‘You know what, this is happening, you need to do this, or we should do this in the next two months because it will also be helpful in the next five years’.”
Azziad expressed gratitude for her understanding and supportive relatives.
Also read: Azziad moved to tears with Colonel Mustapha’s financial struggles
Acknowledging that while some may not fully comprehend her work, they offer unwavering support nonetheless. Their encouragement has been a source of strength for her journey.
Despite her fame, Azziad remains humble, having graduated with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She emphasized that during her time in school, she was never treated as a celebrity by her classmates.
“Everyone is just like, ‘This is just a fellow student’. And I liked it. And I think it was easier because, with all my classmates, we joined the course together from the first year. And we had the same lecturers who took us through to the last year.”
When asked about her motivation, Azziad advised content creators to take breaks and reflect whenever they encounter a creative block.
“If you feel like you hit that content creation block, imagine it’s okay to just take some time back, and reflect. In the meantime, binge-watch other people’s content? See what people are creating watch movies. Sometimes your body just needs the rest. Once you rest, you give yourself that time. Then you come back stronger. ”
Curious about her current interests, Azziad revealed her secret pleasure is binge-watching interesting TV series at the moment she is watching “The Walking Dead,” specifically Season Eight.
Also read: Azziad: I made millions at 19 years after ‘Utawezana’ challenge