One on one: Pierra Makena

BUZZ: You are an actor, a deejay, work in Brand Assets Management at Ogilvy among many other things, how have you managed to transition into all these and make it work?

I hustle and juggle a lot of stuff because one thing might not always work out and there are opportunities to do other things. When an opportunity presents itself, I always go for it. But if you look at the things I do they somehow complement each other.

Where do you get the time to act?

Acting has been a challenge for the last couple of months, that’s why I haven’t been in any soap since Changes because it needs a lot of time.

But lately I’ve been doing a lot of films which is the direction I want to take because I get like two weeks off to go for a shoot. Fortunately I was called for another drama series, which is accommodating my tight schedule as well.

What is your real passion in all these?

They are all correlated. I have always loved deejaying that’s why I actually got into radio. To be honest I didn’t want to be a presenter but a radio deejay. I started acting when I was very young, and that’s one thing that can’t be taken away from me.

I really love all of them and I do my agency work because at the end of the day it’s what I studied for and my kids have to one day go to private schools. But if you really insist, I would chose acting then ask to be given a role as a deejay.

How did you get into deejaying?

About ten years ago, I met MOB Deejays, and I liked what they were doing, so I asked DJ Space to teach me.

I used to go to Tacos club and I would sit at the deejay booth and observe what they were doing. I then started consulting with DJ Stylez, Adrian and Crème who helped and pushed me into doing something that I love. Again I met John Telewa, “The kissing bandit” and he gave me his equipment to practise.

There are not that many well known female deejays in Kenya, how is it contending with other deejays in the industry especially since it so male dominated?

There are very many female deejays out there and I am trying to hopefully inspire them. Fighting to be at the top in this male dominated industry is quite hard and some people don’t believe that a female deejay can do it and it is especially annoying when women look at you and think, she can’t do it.

I’ve experienced that a lot of times and what’s worse is when they call a man to come and help yet I can do the same thing sometimes even better.

Acting is a hard career to break into, but you have scored some major roles in television and movies. What is your secret?

I’m a very humble person and I listen when I’m told something. I don’t mind being corrected and that’s one thing that has helped me immensely.

It is not about the money but the passion and that’s one thing that has taken me far. I sometimes do roles for free and once I prove myself, someone will give me a better and paying role. By the time something like Changes came along I had already been recognised and now I’m paid good money.

How was your experience acting with Fareed Khimani in Changes?

He is such a humble person, it was fun and it was his first time acting and I had a lot to teach him (laughs), he’ll come for my head when he reads that.

He’s a perfectionist and very good at what he does, and quite focused. At the time he was a newlywed, and we had some steamy scenes that had people talking. I personally I think he is hot, but he is married and I respect that and would never cross such boundaries.

How do you prepare yourself for such intimates scenes?

Can you believe we are trained? There are different kind of techniques I didn’t know about it until we were taken away for two weeks by some Hollywood trainers to teach us how to do such scenes. That was my first kissing scene I ever did and I was taught to never let your feelings get into it, it depends on professionalism as well.

Was it hard for you to break away from the Jean Joyce character?

People still call me Jean Joyce; it’s very hard to find anyone calling me Cindy maybe because Changes was on Dstv before coming to KTN. Cindy’s character was almost similar to Jean Joyce. People think I’m these characters and I’m not.

Is it hard for you to date, find a genuine person when all people see is the glamorous exterior?

People love the flashy image of me yet I’m not that person, they approach me expecting to see that. When guys hit on me they hit on Jean Joyce, Cindy or DJ Pierra and not me.

On the flip side someone will walk up to me with no idea of who I am , and we hit it off but once they know they start treating me differently which is really annoying. But I have friends who know me. I wonder if I’ll ever get a really genuine person.

What is your ultimate goal as Dj Pierra?

I want to be an international star. I want to be David Guetta, and play at Tomorrowland Music Festival and curtain raise for big artistes like Jay Z. I’m making my first stride...

You are scheduled for a USA tour from next week?

Yes. It will run for three weeks and it starts on July 2nd. I’m nervous because guys are expecting a lot, last year I deejayed in New York for the Nigerian community but this is a big tour where I will be touring ten states.

It’s exciting and I’m hoping I will come out of it with something that will take me to the next level. I’m glad my job is very flexible and they allow me to work on my brand.

Do people at work take you seriously as a professional working woman?

Yes and No. Yes because I deliver every time and no because they are always like, Pierra play something for us. Anything about music they will ask me. But when it comes down to it my boss and clients are happy, that’s why I still have my job.

What is your opinion on women who seek 15 minutes of fame through nudity on social media?

I’ll tell you what, their dreams are valid, if that’s how you think you are going to prosper then by all means do it, but if it goes haywire don’t say you didn’t know.

Value yourself as a woman, there’s so much a woman can do which is not trashy and still make it. I appreciate the way I am because I know God created me with a purpose and he has a very good plan for me as long as I walk in His ways.

Being in the limelight makes you an easy target for rumours, for instance claims that you were dating Jimnah Mbaru, how do you deal with them?

Apart from the simple reason that Jimnah Mbaru is married, I was very hurt for his family. He is a respectable man and it’s such a shame for me to be associated with him in that light.

Otherwise those are things that I laugh about; the truth is I know myself and what I want. God takes care of such situations.

What would be your advice to that young lady who is going for auditions, and  never gets a call back and is about to give up?

First, do not give up, nothing good comes easy. I auditioned for Changes and it took them two years to call me. It was a big deal because it was going to air on Mnet, I prayed about it and I got a call back and was given the main role. Your big break will come.

Judging by the number of productions you have been in it is safe to say that you are talented, but would you say your looks have played a role in getting you there?

Yes, it’s so wrong but it’s true. We are lucky to be females and good looking. Sometimes you will get a role because of your looks but beauty is in how confident you are.

Maybe in someone else’s eyes am not as beautiful as I think but the fact that I’m confident will make other people think I am. Women need to be confident. But the main reason I am where I am is God.