Radiant Rachel

By Stevens Muendo

The year was 2005. She had just turned 19 and joined Strathmore University when fame and fortune came calling.

And now 24, Rachel Marete, the former beauty queen is enviably living beyond her wildest dreams, brushing shoulders with the biggest names in the music and fashion world in Miami, USA where she has been working for the past two years.

With nostalgia, she reminisces, painting pictures, taking her memories back to that night when her name was called out among the finalists— stealing the show — and was crowned beauty queen.

Looking back, it’s almost unbelievable how life took such a huge turn after she was crowned Miss Universe Kenya on her maiden beauty competition that year.

"I thank God for it all. I owe it to my family, especially my mother who has been a great inspiration ever since," says Rachel.

She pauses again. Then her phone rings. It’s her mum. For another three minutes, they chat and laugh. It’s the last of her 14-days holiday in Kenya and she can’t imagine she will be away from her family and friends for another six months.

Rachel and R&B singer Sean Kingston.

"When I won the Smile of Africa — Miss Universe crown I could not believe it. This was like a dream come true when they awarded me Sh1million in cash.

"Since then, my life has been on a rollercoaster. I feel modest discussing the much I am worth now, but I can tell you that I’m well paid abroad," she explains.

The otherwise sassy, ambitious go-getter recalls how she left the country for a modelling contract in Florida. A top media house had called her for a six-month editorial modelling contract. That’s all the opportunity she needed for her next breakthrough.

"That is how I ended up in Miami. I enrolled for media classes while modelling," she explains.

In Miami, Rachel modelled for top fashion brands and hosted a TV fashion programme.

"I was interviewing top celebrities on the red carpet during ceremonies such as movie premieres and fashion weeks. It was quite an experience," she recalls.

"You can imagine the feeling. Picture this: I am on the red carpet with the cameras all over and Beyonce is walking through. Amidst all that glitz and glamour I have to stop her and interview her. Then next is Rihanna, Nicole Milan, Sean Kingston, Dennis Rodman…the list goes on," she narrates how she brushes shoulders with the who-is-who on the big stage.

Rachel interviews top celebrities including award-winning musicians, top fashion designers, actors and actresses among others.

"Sometimes I pose and think, what on earth is this Kenyan girl doing in the midst of all this," she enthuses.

Rachel recall three particular incidents. An interview with Nicole Milan, Dennis Rodman and Redbull.

"Nicole is naturally a stern woman and I had to find a way to crack through the interview during last year’s Miami Rock Fashion week. By the end of the interview we were both laughing," she explains.

But she adds that former basketball legend Rodman is a bit different. "One moment he is responding to your question and the next his mind is off the interview," she adds.

She says that her trick on the red carpet is learning how to treat individual celebs.

"I have learnt to read their mood. It’s never the same each day," she says.

Early this year, another opportunity came knocking her door as Rachel was offered a lucrative deal by another media house in Las Vegas.

"I can’t divulge much information now. But I am working with a leading media firm shooting documentary features. We plan to tour Africa. Plans are underway to shoot one of the documentaries in Kenya before the end of the year," she remarks.

And how has being on international limelight affected her life? One would ask.

"You do not let pride and power go into your head. I never loose grip of my roots.

"I like learning from my role models such as Zain Verjee who has been an inspiration to me. I also look up to Oprah Winfrey."

Besides, Rachel hopes to use her current international exposure and experience to build her modelling and broadcasting career and believes that soon, she will be hosting her own show like Oprah.

"At first I thought of coming back to establish my career in Nairobi. But lately I have been thinking, if I can do it on the big stage like Barack Obama, won’t be flying the Kenyan flag high to the whole world? That way, I will be an inspiration to other models who are struggling to make it in Kenya."