‘Is there a specific way you want me to do it?’
She asks about the poses. That is Mayonde for you. Always thinking about what you need. What will look good while effortlessly giving you good shots.
She is easy to work with and the energy in the room is light. Relaxed. Contented.
We are shooting on the seventh floor of the Emory Hotel in Kileleshwa. 'Let her freestyle it,' someone in the room whispers loudly. Mayonde knows the poses that work for her.
Smile at the camera. Flash. Smoldering look to the side. Flash. Strike a Marilyn Monroe pose. Flash.
After that, for the remainder of the shoot, we let her do her thing and we only step in to change the location or to ask the photographer, Kuyoh, for specific shots.
I am meeting Mayonde for the second time. Well, third, if you count the time I bumped into her briefly at a Blankets and Wine event in 2017. We were both oblivious of the fact that we would meet again for a couple of hours, trading stories and getting to know each other.
'I have placed myself in a vulnerable position, but I trust that God wants me to tell this story,' she told me a few days after the shoot.
It is clear that Mayonde is one of those people whose strength is in her vulnerability. The ‘intuitive healer’ as her profile on Instagram states, pulls everyone in; from the bartender who takes one look at her and proceeds to put up a Mayonde playlist, to the sales manager who needs a selfie for her four-year-old son who is a big Mayonde fan. I note that, interestingly, her fans are cross-generational.
But she was not always this self assured. This in control. This vulnerable.
Denne historien er fra December - January 2020-utgaven av TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Denne historien er fra December - January 2020-utgaven av TRUE LOVE Magazine East Africa.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
RADIO HEADS
Known for their pleasant voices and eloquent English, Cate Sidede, Terry Muikamba and Anne Mwaura open up about life on air, their personal struggles and why they love radio.
WHY SO INSECURE?
Creating false realities inside your head based on assumptions is highly likely in any relationship. PRISCILLA WAIRIMU says acknowledging this is a problem is the first step in the right direction.
TOGETHER, APART
Are you in a long-distance relationship? Are you tired of hearing all the messages of doom from people who swear your relationship is bound to fail? ALISON SIFUMA shows you how to foster your connection despite the space between.
THE BEAT KILLER
Amos Njenga Chege aka Magix Enga, on producing, forgiving Harmonize for sampling his beats and finally getting into singing.
THE ANTI-SOCIAL STORY TELLER
Muigai Mwangi aka Ndugu Abisai, 30 loves the art of storytelling. He speaks on his love for chai, his biggest fear as a writer and the Soap opera he is currently writing.
The Making Of A Popstar
Her first EP (Extended Play Record) is ruling the airwaves and Tanasha Donna wants you to know that despite her heartbreak and being a new mom she is on her way to superstardom.
IS YOUR RELATIONSHIP FUN?
A relationship can sometimes feel boring. This is a phase that comes and goes. However there are certain circumstances where feelings of relationship boredom are not a phase but are permanent.
MANAGING YOUR ANXIETY
Anxiety is like a toddler, it never stops talking, tells you constantly that it wants its own way, and keeps you up when you are trying to sleep.
INDOOR CAMPING
No indoor plans for the Easter Holiday? MERCY RAPHA shows you how to make indoor camping a forever memory for your kids.
6 FUN HOUSE-BOUND ACTIVITIES
Stuck with the kids at home this lockdown season? MERCY RAPHA gives you fun activities to turn boredom into bonding time.
