Of fake celebrities 'biting' more than they can chew

Early this week, gospel singer Ringtone accused fast rising star Papa Dennis of posing with expensive rides in his South African recorded video that is expected to debut in two weeks. “Why does he go all the way to South Africa to shoot a video with expensive cars he cannot even afford? I think I should blame his manager or sponsor for this. Whatever he is trying to portray is nothing close to his real life,” Ringtone says. “I think Kenyan celebs sometimes try too much. They fake it too hard. They even try to impress their fans with stuff that does not even help them at the end of the day,” he adds. In the entertainment arena, there is a common saying that goes like there is no business like show business and true to it; celebrities will go any length to live a lifestyle they cannot afford simply because everyone expects them to be of a certain status in society. In fact, most of what they portray is aped from the Western culture where musicians live it big. Unlike local celebrities, most American artistes who shoot videos with expensive luxury rides and so on can actually afford such images in real life. “The pressure from fans is always there and celebs are always in pain to keep within the expectations of their fans. But that has never been an issue to me. I am comfortable ridding in matatus and when I board one, people look at me wondering why I am in a matatu as opposed to driving my own car,” award-winning gospel singer Size 8 once told Pulse.

THE FAKE EXPENSIVE CARS

In celebvile, an expensive flashy car portrays how well a celebrity is doing in the industry and that is why artistes flaunt their new rides. Some claim to have the most expensive cars and even go to the extent of showing them off yet some are simply hired or borrowed from friends. In an earlier interview with Pulse, celebrated singer Anto Neosoul affirmed that the showbiz scene has a lot of wannabes. He revealed that before he bought his first car many people in matatus would throw demeaning glances at him. “It is these pressures that sway many of the artistes to live the superficial lives with some now resorting to full time taxi hiring services,” he says.

THE FLASHY BUT BROKE

Rocking expensive accessories in the showbiz industry is a fashion statement that goes a long way not only to show that one is well dressed but also to prove how deep their pocket is. CMB Prezzo attracted many fans through his flashy expensive jewellery which he flaunts. It is believed the jewellery cost him an arm and a leg. While many of the artistes would not be able to purchase genuine gold or silver chains they would resort to fake gold watches, chains and ‘designer’ clothes. These types of celebs are all flashy wherever they go. The sad part is that the jewellery is fake. Some go to the extent of borrowing the fancy stuff just to show off.

THE “STINGY” TYPE

“Pizo Dizo’s collabo with Mejja Chali Stinji explains some of the celebrities we have,” says singer Moustapha. “They are the ones who will never use their own money to buy drinks but live off friends,” he adds. They are the type who will find you or group of friends partying and having drinks then invite themselves by grabbing a drink without caring about who pays the bill. They assume it is their right as celebrities to receive treatments of that level.

RENTING IN HIGH COST PLACES

Some celebrities have gone as far as renting houses in high-end places such as Karen, Runda, Kileleshwa and Kitsuru just to keep up an image. One celebrity who chose to remain anonymous revealed that most of them do not actually have enough money to sustain the living in those areas. He adds that some live in those expensive houses only because they are friends or related to the owners reason being that they are never at their houses because they are away on business trips. They merely act as home sitters.

SHOOTING EXPENSIVE MUSIC VIDEOS

Some shoot extremely expensive music videos to maintain their status quo. Having the best directors in the industry to shooting in exotic locations makes an outrageous budget. These types of celebrities don’t even have that kind of money so they end up in debt.

DISOWNING THEIR BACKGROUNDS

A small percentage of celebrities in Kenya have been known to refuse being associated with their past. Mostly because they come from humble backgrounds and would not want everyone to look down upon them. They would rather lie about everything claiming they come from rich families.

EXPENSIVE MEALS AND DRINKS

Some celebrities only want to dine in the most expensive places around town. They will indulge themselves in expensive meals at the most expensive hotels and order expensive drinks at night clubs just to show off. From the Moet Chandons’s to the Remmy Martins drinks, they make orders just to prove to anyone that they have money but do they really?