She is the undisputed “Queen of TikTok” with millions of followers and a string of global brand deals, but Azziad Nasenya has revealed that her polished public persona was actually forged in the gritty, “dog-eat-dog” world of the Kenyan boarding school system.
In a surprisingly raw interview on the Mic Cheque podcast on Sunday, the actress and content creator opened up about the “tough” upbringing that forced her to grow up far faster than her peers.
While many might imagine a pampered rise to stardom, Azziad insists that it was the years spent in dormitories—dealing with “stolen water” and “terrible food”—that gave her the mental fortitude to conquer the international stage.
“I can say I spent most of my time in boarding school. I grew up in boarding school,” Azziad revealed.
While she admitted to loathing the experience as a young girl, she now views it as the ultimate “training camp” for life.
“As much as I didn’t like it when I began, I appreciate having gone through the system. It built a lot in me. I don’t think I would be this kind of person if I hadn’t gone through there,” she said.
Azziad described a reality known to millions of East Africans but rarely discussed by its biggest stars: the practical, often harsh lessons in self-reliance.
“Umefika dorm, maji yako imeibiwa, sijui shati yako imeibiwa (You get to the dorm and find your water or your shirt has been stolen). You are on your own. You are literally on your own,” she recalled with a laugh.
In the high-pressure world of social media, where “cancel culture” and trolls are a constant threat, Azziad says the boarding school motto of “sink or swim” prepared her for anything.
She explained that when your snacks run out or the conditions become “crazy,” there is no one to call for a quick fix.
“Huwezi call mzazi (You can’t call your parent)… you learn independence, washing for yourself, and confidence,” she stated.
It is this “self-reliance” that she credits for her ability to manage her own empire today.
Azziad’s reflections have struck a chord with a generation of Kenyans who attended similar institutions. By highlighting the shift from “hating” the system to “appreciating” the grit it produced, she has humanized her journey from a struggling student to a household name.
“Watu wa boarding (Boarding school people), you know what I am talking about,” she joked, signaling a shared understanding of the resilience required to thrive in such environments.
