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Regarded as one of South Africa’s most beautiful and talented video models, Gaby Xo has successfully built her career despite facing very difficult odds.

As of 2018, she had worked with some of the continent’s top musicians, including Davido, Diamond Platnumz, and Heavy K.

“Being pretty can only take you so far but hard work takes you further,” she notes.

However, things didn’t turn out as she expected, and had to take a hiatus to recollect herself. Just like any other creative, after finding a new direction that her career would take, she has made a comeback.

gaby xo

It turns out she made the right choice of coming back to what she loves doing; entertainment. That bore fruits greatly, In a recent interview with Fashion Today magazine, Gaby Xo revealed that she will soon be featured in a top South African Soap Opera.

Also read: Interview: How Huddah Monroe Succeeded With Her Cosmetics Business

Keep reading to be inspired by this visionary young lady who is set to shine globally, both with her wits and talent.

Career Fodder:  I had a conversation with Vanessa Mdee back in 2019 and she said that female creatives have to work 5 times harder in order for them to survive in the industry. What are some of the main challenges you’ve faced while trying to build your career and how did you overcome them?

Gaby Xo: I became familiar with the words ‘no’ and ‘we regret to inform you’, and they changed my mindset. No is one no closer to the yes. 

A lot of people get stuck in that one no and stop there. That ‘no’ is so important because it leaves room for growth and sometimes growth stems from struggling.

gaby xo

CF: What would you say it takes to be successful in the entertainment industry in South Africa?

GR: I love this question! Everyone has different opinions on what it means to be successful but they forget that it’s the small wins that lead to an overall result of success. In between those wins, failures will come too. 

You just have to push through the failure and work towards achieving the next goal and not dwelling on failure.

Also read: Meet The Most Influential TikTok Creators In Kenya

A lot of people are scared to fail, including me – we are only human – but rather live knowing you tried than to live in a reality of ‘what if.’

CF: Success in the industry takes a long time for many people. How do you recommend someone keep themselves afloat financially as they keep working on their dreams?

GR: Don’t ever try to flex or please people when you are building yourself. Discipline is key in this journey. Choose the end result over small pleasures. People are always there when things are going well but when things are tough it gets lonely.

CF: There’s always pressure online that affects people negatively when they don’t see their careers taking off. Have you experienced that? How do you deal with it?

GR: Yes, to be honest, there are days when I still feel that way. I think it’s important to only compete against yourself. 

gaby xo

Once we start looking at what the next person is doing we ask ourselves  ‘why isn’t that happening for me?’ we always forget that our journeys are not the same. 

However, once you start doing the work inside the only person you are competing with is the person you were yesterday and that’s fair competition.

CF: in many families in Africa, parents tend to discourage their kids from pursuing careers in the creative industry. How has been your case?

GR: I’ve had family members ask me, ‘why not just find something you want to study and pursue a career in?’

There’s always going to be people that project their fears onto you, even family. But I’m fortunate that it’s gotten to a point where my family is very supportive of me. 

They want this for me just as much as I want it for myself.

CF: Who are the two phenomenal women you look up to in international entertainment and why?

GR: Beyoncé, I just love the way she carries herself and she’s never involved in scandals. I respect how strong she is and how she handles things. Another person I look up to is Rihanna because she’s fierce and knows what she wants.

CF: What’s the best way to know your real talent, as many people never discover what they are capable of?

GR: I would say just follow your dreams, as cliche as it sounds…God wouldn’t put those dreams there if there wasn’t something behind it.

CF: Your career has really evolved. From working with big artists like Davido, Heavy K, and Diamond Platnumz to now acting. What are the things you have been doing to prepare for the transition?

GR: No one knows this but there was a year when I went silent, got back to my full-time job because things weren’t working out the way I expected. 

gaby xo

I got depressed because I wasn’t doing what I loved. It felt like I was wasting my time. For me that built up my self-drive, I left my full-time job. 

I told myself that if I go back to entertainment,  I’ll put my everything into making this work. There was no going back.

Since I made that decision, God showed up in ways I didn’t think were possible for me.

CF: I have a lot of friends in the media industry who get discriminated against based on their looks. There is ‘pretty privilege’ where people who are perceived to be good-looking get told they go there only because of their looks. What’s your take on that?

GR: There’s definitely a pretty privilege, we’d be lying to ourselves if we said there isn’t.

However, don’t ever think it’s an easy privilege. You have to deal with decision-makers who want to get in your pants and you lose out on deals and opportunities if you refuse to.

Also read: Exclusive: Joeboy Discusses Working With Mr. Eazi And Zuchu

Being pretty can only take you so far but hard work takes you further. Your career becomes so enjoyable when you work hard and celebrate the small wins that you achieved

CF: What are your other broader interests, away from entertainment?

GR: I love animals. I was actually telling my manager that I wanted a monkey in the near future. I’ve become so obsessed with watching people with monkeys on Instagram and how cute they are. 

gaby xo

I’m also very adventurous…one thing I’d love to tick off of my to-do list for this year is to go shark cage diving

CF: What’s that something that has affected you recently that had an effect on your career?

GR: I doubted myself and what I was capable of. I didn’t feel worthy enough to chase what I really wanted. So that limited me from taking on certain jobs and shoots.

I wasn’t confident with myself. One day I just snapped out of it and told myself, ‘you know what? There’s someone else that doesn’t have what you have and is doing ten times more than what you’re doing. So why keep making excuses when I am capable of doing it?’

Also read: Samantha Hart On Her New Memoire About Navigating Hollywood

CF: What are some of the personal development steps you’ve taken to make yourself a better person?

GR: Building a better relationship with God. I started writing in my journal and reading more books and spending more time with my loved ones

CF: Finally, what’s the best decision that you ever made in your career to date?

GR: The best decision I ever made in my career was to come back to it, I think I would’ve lived in regret if I had given up. 

 

Multi-award winning entertainment journalist and TV personality Kalondu Musyimi has had a phenomenal career trajectory. Since joining the Kenyan media industry back in 2016, she has worked tirelessly and while at it, made huge strides in life.

The outspoken, passionate and self-driven writer-turned TV girl is the ultimate definition of self-made. Starting out as an intern, Musyimi gradually rose through the ranks and transitioned from being a lifestyle writer to grace the screens.

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Kalondu Musyimi / Couresty

With one of her inspirations being South African media mogul Bonang Matheba, coupled with a hunger for success, Musyimi has proven that you can achieve your dreams, no matter how big they are. You just have to put in the work.

A scroll through her Instagram feed will not only inspire you but also challenge you; she’s doing the most. Some of her A-list interviewees include Diamond Platnumz, Khaligraph Jones, Jeff Koinange, Konshens, Nadia Mukami, Olakira, Size 8 and Rudeboy.

The list goes on and on. Stardom was clearly meant for her, she just had to actualize it by putting in the unmatched effort.

Also read: Exclusive: Joeboy Discusses Working With Mr. Eazi And Zuchu

We had a virtual interview with her and from it, we got nuggets of wisdom. Musymi is not just your typical media personality. She’s got wits.

“I want people to appreciate the work that these entertainers are doing. Quality is my main aim, too. I want to show people that journalism is not just about beauty, it’s also about the brains,” she says.

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Kalondu with “Maserati” star Olakira from Nigeria / Courtesy

Here’s the captivating conversation that you definitely want to finish reading…be motivated while at it.

Career Fodder: You’ve interviewed most of the top African musicians, actresses and influencers within a short period of time. How does it feel having achieved all that?

Kalondu Musyimi: It’s great because just the other day I was dreaming and now I’m actually living the dream. Having interviewed some of the best names in the entertainment industry has been so special for me.

Also read: Azziad Nasenya Reveals Her Secret To Success

These are the people I’ve been seeing on TV and right now I get to have a one-on-one conversation, ask them questions and they get to actually respond to an ordinary Kalondu! It was beyond my imagination.

CF: Journalism in Kenya is very competitive. Many media school graduates don’t have jobs but online content creators are thriving. Do you think there is another way these jobless, aspiring journalists can step into the industry?

KM: Yes, there is another way to create income. You know when you’re in journalism school, you always feel like you want to get into mainstream media. You feel like you have to be in a media house for you to thrive.

kalondu musyimi
With Diamond Platnumz / Courtesy

However, right now there is a lot going on when it comes to technology. Your phone is actually a media house in itself. You can create content; there is YouTube, Instagram, TikTok…and people are earning millions from these platforms.

I do acknowledge that not everybody can create content. Not everyone is creative enough to produce content that will be widely accepted and earn a living from that. But, you know what?

Also read: Interview: How Huddah Monroe Succeeded With Her Cosmetics Business

You can also work behind the scenes. There are other opportunities like PR, managing people…there’s a whole lot of things that a person can do and have an income. Essentially, you don’t need to work at a media house to achieve your dream.

CF: How did you perfect your interviewing skills over time?

It’s a lot of hard work. I remember my very first interview in 2016. I interviewed Gilad and he understood me. As much as I love entertainment, interviewing and knowing what these public figures are up to, the questions at the time were just bland.

kalondu musyimi
On the red carpet / Instagram

I was like, ‘Who is Gilad?’ But down the line, I’ve been able to research the greatest interviewers of all time. I do a lot of fact-finding. I work hard towards knowing what it takes to be a great interviewer.

If I can tell you, I’ve watched stuff from even 1975 when Bob Marley was being interviewed. That is how far I go when doing research when it comes to interviewing skills.

Also read: First Ever AU Youth Envoy Aya Chebbi Speaks Youth Leadership

One of the best people that I love listening to is Bonang Matheba. She’s a South African media personality that I really admire. Bonang asks questions that are well researched and you can feel the effort.

While practising it over the years, I’ve learnt how to handle different personalities and audiences, too.

I also listen to how other people answer whatever they are asked…and that’s how I became better at what I am passionate about – hosting interviews.

CF: Is there a moment when you felt like giving up? How did you overcome it?

There are times that I actually feel like giving up. My work involves a lot of pressure, especially when you do a project involving celebrities and there are legal issues.

kalondu musyimi
Kalondu Musyimi with Adelle Onyango and Shaffie Weru / Courtesy

When it comes to that, it can be discouraging. However, you look at the end goal. What I want to do is to become one of the best media personalities in East Africa and beyond.

When I think of my dream, I just have to go on. I have to continue working hard towards achieving my dream. Even when I achieve that dream, I’ll still keep working hard. Other things will follow.

CF: It’s quite interesting that you started off as a lifestyle writer but now you’re on TV. How did you manage to transition without failing?

KM: Right now I’m on TV. I’m co-hosting an entertainment show – Y Mashariki – on Y 254 with my friend @kenrelbis. How I transitioned from a lifestyle writer to TV? It was smooth.

Also read: 7 Habits Of Highly Productive People

It was literally from writing into speaking. It’s just in me. My end goal was to get on to TV. So I got into writing because at the time I didn’t have access to TV opportunities.

Getting to be on TV is a dream come true. Now, I’d love to venture into mainstream media. I know digital is my thing, I am still thriving in it, but I still want to have more taste of TV.

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On the set of Y Mashariki / Courtesy

CF: You’ve won awards because of your exemplary work. Could you please tell us more about it?

KM: Yes, I’ve won a few awards. In 2019, I was awarded the Best Writer of the Year at Xtreem Awards. The same year, Radio Africa Group also named me the Best Entertainment Writer of the Year.

Last year, despite the pandemic happening, I got The Star Lifestyle and Society Reporting award. These are just accolades to appreciate the kind of work that I’ve been doing. All these are entertainment awards.

Also read: TikTok Africa Content Operations Manager Boniswa Sidwaba On Staying Organized

I hope more comes my way. I am very excited and I can’t wait to find out what more the industry has for me.

CF: Regarding sacrifice and determination, what are some of the things you’ve had to endure to reach where you are now?

KM: Late nights…I have had to sacrifice my sleep to go to cover events. To go interview people at night. Late nights and early mornings do come in my work.

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The media queen with Vera Sidika / Courtesy

I honestly love sleeping but I’ve had to forego sleep for work. Some people might call me a workaholic but it’s just the love for what I do.

I’ve had to spend less time with friends. Hardly do I go out to have fun but I feel like the sacrifice has really made it worth it for me.

CF: Finally, what are the biggest lessons you’ve learnt in your career so far?

Whoa…I’ve learnt a lot. First of all, nobody – not even your mom – owes you anything. No one owes you success. It is your own responsibility.

Also read: Fashion Influencer Chelsea Wambui Speaks Body Positivity

In this career, there is no overnight success…unless you’ve won the lottery. You have to wake up, work hard and literally go for that dream and make it happen.

Another thing is that you have to be yourself and know your limits. Know your financials. Just because I was hanging out with Diamond Platnumz doesn’t mean that our bank accounts have the same balance.

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Kalondu interviewing Jamaican star Christopher Martin / Courtesy

I need to be aware of where I am, understand myself and know the kind of lifestyle that I have to live. On social media, let people perceive what they want to. If I have to use a matatu, I will. So, just be authentic and true to yourself.

Another thing is to have a plan B. Something might happen and one day you don’t have a job. You need to have a backup in this industry.

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Our effort ensures that you get free resources to advance your career while leading a healthy lifestyle.

For continued free access to life-changing, high-quality content, we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to CAREER FODDER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

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Within a little over a year, Joeboy managed to rise from writing music in his college dorm to become one of the most bankable Nigerian pop stars. His music, characterized by lyrics touching on young love and youthful heartbreaks is something that millions have come to adore.

He was the first artist to participate in emPawa Africa, the talent incubator and mentorship program founded by Afropop superstar Mr. Eazi. His first two solo singles – “Baby” and “Beginning” – reached number 1 on Apple Music in Nigeria and Uganda. The 23-year-old crooner has also topped charts in Kenya, Ghana, and Zimbabwe. 

Joeboy
Joeboy / Instagram

As if that’s not enough for his resume, Joeboy has garnered media coverage from reputable publications like CNN, Complex, Billboard, and Rolling Stone. 

Joeboy had a unique experience working with Mr. Eazi

We had an exclusive virtual sit down with the fast-rising star. He had some positive vibes to share with aspiring musicians as well as some inspirational words for his fans. Joeboy’s talent and fresh style are unbeatable. This has gotten him a place in the history books of African music. His collaboration with his mentor Mr. Eazi and DJ Neptune on a song titled ‘Nobody’ has been exceptional. The hit music video had 23 million views on YouTube at the time of this publication.

Also read: How Rihanna Built A $600 Million Empire

“Working with Mr. Eazi has been a wonderful experience, I have learned so much and he has enlightened me. It has been an honor because I am a big fan of his work. Getting to meet him and being able to work together and create something lasting and beautiful is really amazing,” he told Career Fodder’s Editor-In-Chief Harun Momanyi.

Joeboy
Joeboy / Instagram

His music has often been truly relatable and strikes the soul. This is not a coincidence; it is intentional. Personal experiences have influenced Joeboy’s music.

For Joeboy, his musical inspiration is from experience

“One of the most important elements that inspire my music is my mood, my experiences, and people’s experiences because I have a lot of empathy that makes it possible for me to absorb and soak in what people are going through,” he added.

Joeboy
Joeboy / Instagram

One of his latest collaborations was with Wasafi Records’ signee Zuchu. When the two came together to create music, it was fantastic. Interestingly, their song was also titled “Nobody” and garnered over 3.5 million views within a month. It’s one of our favorites! Joeboy shed some light on how it all came to be.

Also read: Azziad Nasenya Reveals Her Secret To Success

How the Joeboy – Zuchu collaboration went down

The perfect time to work together came and he could not skip the chance. It was unexpected but it turned out to be worth it.

joeboy
Joeboy / Instagram

“I was in Tanzania for a show and I was going to be there for a week. One of the most important plans I had while I was there was to work with different artists there. I got a call from Diamond Platnumz’ manager and he said we should connect. To my surprise, I met Zuchu. I have been a fan of her work, her music is amazing and she is going to be very big and be a global superstar in the near future,” he revealed.

Also read: Interview: Why Nqobilé Danseur Wants To Work With Rihanna Again

Diamond Platnumz has a go-getter approach to doing music and managing his business. Joeboy and Zuchu finished the project in record time. As the Nigerian star explained, it turned out to be a great decision.

How the collaboration made a positive impression on Joeboy

“It was a huge pleasure working with her, we recorded the song “Nobody” that night at the studio and shot the music video the next day. A couple of weeks later, she released the song with the amazing video, and here we are. The song is currently one of the biggest songs in Tanzania and it’s an honor to be known across the world, I am always open to working with artists from all parts of Africa,” he said. 

Joeboy
Joeboy / Instagram

We love both Zuchu and Joeboy. They are the next-generation influencers in terms of music and pop culture in Africa. Keep it Career Fodder for more inspiring interviews with your favorite public figures and role models!

Good journalism costs a lot of money. Our effort ensures that you get free resources to advance your career while leading a healthy lifestyle.

For continued free access to life-changing, high-quality content, we ask you to consider making a modest support to this noble endeavour.

By contributing to CAREER FODDER, you are helping to sustain a journalism of relevance and ensuring it remains free and available to all.

[paypal-donation]