Barclays to sponsor US model’s TV show

By STEVENS MUENDO

Judy Karanja, a celebrated Los Angeles-based Kenyan actress and fashion model got a major breakthrough last week after Barclays Bank agreed to sponsor her yet to be launched Judy TV show.

The actress was in Los Angeles shooting an episode of the show with award-winning Kenyan singing duo the Longombas, when she got the news.

Judy Karanja, a celebrated Los Angeles-based Kenyan actress and fashion model [Photo/Standard]

"It is good news for me to get such a big support from Barclays who have pledged to work with me to make my TV show dream a reality," Judy told MondayBlues during an exclusive interview, moments after she landed in Nairobi on Tuesday.

The actress, who has featured in a number of films including a celebrity studded Los Angeles film, Chase — set to premiere in US in June — says the show is inspired by the works of celebrity American TV talk show host Oprah Winfrey and supermodel Tyra Banks.

She plans to use her media and acting skills to tackle social issues affecting Kenyans both in the country and in the Diaspora.

"It will be an all-inclusive show tackling issues to do with fashion, music and generally the art industry as well as social issues encountered by Kenyans in their everyday life," she told MondayBlues.

According to the 31-year- old model and entrepreneur, besides music and fashion, the show will be a platform to connect and inspire the youth through talent recognition. Some snippets of the soon to be launched show are already streaming on the show’s official website www.judytvshow.com.

"We are also looking forward to engaging with the youth through seminars that will offer guidance, tackle teenage problems. You can refer to it as the ultimate showbiz rhapsody.

"We will also empower poor and disadvantaged members of our society, particularly orphans and the disabled. The show will also offer free information on entertainment issues, lifestyle, politics as well as current affairs," Judy remarked.

The model who has been travelling expansively across the globe left for Texas on Thursday and is expected back in the country mid May before the show hits the airwaves sometime in June.