Zena Nyambu, serial entrepreneur and jack of all trades
Zena Nyambu is one of the new cast members joining the second season of the hit reality series, The Real Housewives of Nairobi (RHON).
The 41-year-old mother of two is a beauty and aesthetics entrepreneur who runs several businesses, including luxury skincare parlour Glamsquad Kenya, interior design company Art Infinity and is also a partner at Zela Aesthetics, a medical aesthetics and wellness centre.
“I am the real definition of a hustler: a boss mum and I can get my hands dirty too. I am nice and pretty to look at but sometimes, I lead with a fist,” she says.
In this interview, she talks about joining the show and handling the pressure that comes with increased scrutiny.
Why did you want to join The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2?
I knew I had a lot to bring to the table, and the show was an opportunity for me to grow and showcase my business.
I think a lot of people who know me online don’t know me that well; they only have an idea of who I am.
The Real Housewives of Nairobi came at the right time when I’m upscaling my business and who would say no to such a platform?
Coming into the show as a new housewife, how has the journey been so far?
Of course, I’ve had fun, I’ve been able to meet and interact with the other housewives.
I’m very good friends with some of them and sworn enemies with some, but you know what, that’s part of life.
I am not ice cream – not everybody will like me.
Looking at The Real Housewives of Nairobi S1, who would you pick as your favourite housewife?
If I say Minne, I’ll be a little biased because she’s a friend.
I’ve grown to like Vera. I didn’t know her prior to the show, and getting to meet her, she’s a very sweet human being and very real. I had a chance to meet the real Vera.
And then there’s Farah, who I find very sweet.
Reality shows can be quite demanding. How do you handle the pressure that comes with being a reality star and also just opening your home to strangers?
It all looks very glamorous but there are days that I’ve cried, cursed or wanted to give up but there are also days that I’ve gone home and I’ve felt some sort of achievement.
It’s all mixed emotions but then again, it’s given me a lot to think about. I look at life a little differently now, especially human beings and their characters.
I also realise that we all come from different backgrounds and are wired differently. People are who they are – you either accept them or you’ll be forever on antacids.
The show has also helped me achieve some emotional growth. I’m not a patient person but I’m learning to have patience and to manage my anger, especially during confrontations.
Now I’m like ‘no, we’re not going to walk away from this, we’re going to sit here, we’re going to talk about the problem and we’re going to try to fix it.’
Why should Kenyans watch The Real Housewives of Nairobi S2?
First of all, they should tune in to watch me in it because this is a first for me. From where I sit, I do not know fame, never been in it, I’m just another girl next door.
Personally, I can’t wait to watch it because I want to see what I’ve been up to, because sometimes I get home, and I’m like, was that me?
I’m rediscovering myself with this show. It’s been a very interesting journey and friendships have been made, alliances have been forged and there’s a lot to learn from this season.
I will ask for grace from viewers because even I will be tuning in to watch it.
