Not just a pretty face

Rachel Marete, 25, was crowned Miss Universe Kenya , 2005, and has since blossomed into an able TV personality in Los Angeles. She shares her story of glitz and

At only 19 years old, Rachel’s dream came true when she was won the Miss Universe Kenya 2005 title. It was not an easy feat for the tomboy who never wore heels or cared much about her looks until she decided to run for the pageant.

Says she: "In 2005 while in my last semester studying for a diploma in Business Information Technology, my classmates convinced me to try out the Miss Kenya Pageant. I especially owe my success to one girl, Waruguru, who convinced me to come out of my comfort zone. She warned that if I did not, I would wake up at 40 to find that I had wasted my opportunities and regret. I was model-tall but I had never been keen on my looks and had never modelled before. So I gave in."

The arduous journey had just began. Rachel had to make so many changes and go through so much training. She had to lose weight, so she changed her diet and exercised in the gym daily.

"At the training programme, Nancy Wettstein, the Managing Director of Pivot Point, trained us on speech, etiquette and how to walk in heels, which was a challenge for me.

It was a very intense time for me because I was in my last semester with classes, exams and a project to do. My mother always told me that you could do anything if you put your mind to it. I managed to complete my diploma and to win the title of Miss Universe Kenya," says Rachel.

Rachel Marete

Turning point

With evident nostalgia, she reminisces, taking her memories back to that night when her name was called out and she was crowned beauty queen.

"When Big Ted, who was one of the judges, called my name, I could not believe it. My life literally changed from that day," asserts Rachel.

After winning the pageant Rachel was fortunate enough to gain support to take part in many humanitarian activities, something that she holds dear to her heart. She was appointed the goodwill ambassador for the Association for the Physically Disabled of Kenya.

When Rachel returned from Bangkok where she had represented Kenya in the Miss Universe pageant, she tried her hand at a career on TV.

"It was very frustrating getting work because a lot of times models are stereotyped as bimbos. After hustling for a while I got the opportunity to be one of the main hosts of Good Morning Kenya, on KBC. I also did a lot of runway and commercial modelling for Kenya and the larger East Africa," says Rachel.

In 2007, Rachel left the country for a six-month modelling contract in Florida in 2007 and ended up in Miami where she enrolled for a bachelor’s degree in commerce at Miami Dade College.

Says Rachel: "I left in 2007 not only because of my modelling contract but because I was tired of being stuck — I wanted to be in the media but doors were not opening. Originally I had wanted to do media studies but my mum wanted me to do commerce. She believed that the media industry is unpredictable and I needed a back-up plan."

jet-setting

She then started modelling for top fashion brands and eventually started hosting a TV fashion programme, rubbing shoulders with leading models, filmmakers and music icons.

"I arrived in Miami in April of 2007. In Early 2008 I decided to get another job to supplement my modelling. Miami is very glamorous and is well known for its nightspots. I heard from a friend that a new joint was looking for an office manager and I applied and I got the job.

While working there I heard about an opening at a television station called IA Live that dealt with fashion artists. I applied and got the job. It was a wonderful experience. It was very glamorous especially during fashion week, when we got to hobnob with big names in the industry, from top athletes to the crËme de la crËme of Hollywood," says Rachel.

Through her job Rachel got to meet and interview Russel Simmons, Nicole Miller, Christian Audigier (of Ed-Hardy), Dennis Rodman, Sean Kingston, Rihanna, Beyonce, Lil kim, Kelly Rowland, Timberland, Trina, Gabriel Union, Alicia Keys, Akon, Kim Kardashian and Reggie Bush, just to name a few.

"It was a wonderful time for me, both for personal and career growth, but as 2008 came to an end I began to ask myself why I was doing a degree which did not give me fulfillment. After soul searching I decided to change my course and quit my job and move to Los Angeles.

I moved my credits to Santa Monica College in LA in order to study broadcasting there. Miami is a lively city but LA is great and would make all my dreams come true. It is the centre of everything in the media world in America and I wanted to be a part of it and challenge myself," explains Rachel.

While in LA Rachel got the chance to work for the world’s largest digital out-of home network.

"I’m currently a news and entertainment show host at Transit TV, Los Angeles. I look forward to continuing to network with brilliant professionals in entertainment.

Transit television network provides information, entertainment and advertising to transit fans across North America. It’s quite a privilege for me to be a TV host in such a reputable organisation.

Mum, my friend

Hosting comes naturally to me; I am very good at ad-libbing (speaking off the top of my head as opposed to reading the script) and making things happen in an instant, without much preparation. I thank God for it all. I owe it to my family, especially my mother who has been a great inspiration," offers Rachel .

Apart from her job in television, Rachel is also involved in shooting In the nest, A documentary about separation, support, and survival.

"It is the story of one woman’s journey of supporting street children and reuniting them with their mothers. Heartbreaking yet inspiring. It is a feature documentary about Kenyan children whose mothers are in prison and the one German woman, Irene Baumgartner, who takes them under her wing," she says.

The Nest, located in Limuru, Kenya, is a home she runs, dedicated to the care and safety of these children. The documentary is produced by ace Hollywood producers, Kelley and Amanda Whitis.

Rachel is currently dating her boyfriend of two years.

Says she: "We have been together for almost two years now. We are age- mates and what I love about him is that he understands me. We are both very ambitious. I hope to be successful on screen as a host and he is an engineer who also hopes to be a successful real estate investor.

He looks up to the likes of Trump, Kiyosaki, Branson, Jorge Perez and Vladimir Doronin. To find someone who doesn’t think I am crazy to have all these big dreams, but who actually supports me, is amazing. Besides my family, he is my greatest fan and he reminds me everyday that I have what it takes to make it as I do him. We are growing together in everything, which brings us even closer."

Biggest fan

In closing Rachel claims that she owes all her success to her mother who sacrificed for her and her siblings and made them realise that they could achieve anything.

"My mother raised me never to admire what doesn’t belong to me. So while some girls in my position run after celebrities and moguls with fancy extravagant lives, I prefer to find true love and support as I work towards my own wealth and keep my dignity intact.

My dream is to one day be like ZainVerjee, who is currently a news anchor at CNN International. So far, so good," finishes Rachel.