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.

- ANDANJE WOBANDA

This is not a publicity stunt.’ That is the first statement 24-year old Tanasha Donna Oketch— mother of 6-month-old son Naseeb Junior— tells me when we meet for our interview. It is in regards to her breakup with the father of her son, Bongo Flava star and East Africa’s biggest talent Diamond Platinumz.

We’re meeting at Posh Palace Hair Studio & Spa to talk as she gets her hair and nails done; a day before our scheduled cover shoot. Our interview has been pushed forward a couple of times. Understandably because of the situation she is in: heartbreak, public scrutiny and being on every major tabloid, people speculating on the why and the how of the breakup.

‘I am not into that kiki stuff, ‘ she explains. This means that she wouldn’t deliberately start drama or controversy for fame. At least not a controversy like this.

She speaks softly. Carefully enunciating every word. Tee (as her close friends call her) looks relaxed in a jungle green bodysuit with ripped jean shorts and black sandals. Her hair is in her signature do; parted on the side and pulled back in a tight chignon at the nape of her neck. She is softer, daintier and her perfume imprints on you as soon as you hug or shake her hand.

Before we get into the why’s of the break-up which she promises to be candid about perhaps it is fair to start from the beginning.

Tanasha was born in England to an Italian father whom she rarely spoke to growing up and a Luo mother. The name Donna comes from her maternal grandmother and Oketch from her maternal grandfather. ‘I really don’t know much of my Italian roots because apart from speaking to my biological father a couple of times during my younger years I didn’t have a relationship with him.’