[email protected]
Kenyan soccer star Dennis Oliech lately challenged musician Jaguar to give up ‘hustling’ with the likes of fellow artiste Prezzo and be a part of him within the ‘A-List’ movie star desk. However who’re ‘A-List’ celebrities?
Properly, if you happen to lumped celebs collectively simply know they’ve classes, courses, ranks and having a one-hit surprise music doesn’t push you to the ‘A-List’ for having fun with 15-minutes of fame on FM radios, bars and discos. Classifying celebrities started in Hollywood the place essentially the most bankable actor or actress was thought of to be within the ‘A-List.’ Right here, the very best paid with essentially the most plum movie roles, had no equal: Will Smith, Nicole Kidman, Julia Roberts, Johnny Depp are ‘A-List’ pedigree.
‘A-List’ celebs have an aura, they create pleasure, the slightest gossip creates a buzz, they’ll affect shopping for energy and patterns.
However step by step the utilization of ‘A-List’ went outdoors the movie business to consult with any particular person within the limelight “with an admired or desirable social standing.”
‘B-List’ comprised socialites with acres of press protection and teenage heartthrobs whereas these with lesser fame have been condemned to the ‘C-List’ reserved for “the easy-to-remember character but hard to name.”
‘D-List’ celebs have been those that had made maiden appearances in tv actuality reveals, however that rating developed by James Ulmer and named the Ulmer Scale, was American. Ours, The Nairobian Superstar Scale, is Kenyan. Whereas fame and fortune issues, the worldwide constituency is essential to being ushered into our ‘A-List.’ Earnings and media mentions may imply you’ve got a neighborhood presence however that doesn’t slot you into the ‘B-List.’ And naturally, in case you are a ‘has-been’ like Darlin’ P, then you might be on the tail of finish of movie star heels.
Right here goes:
A-Record’ Celebrities
They’re celebrated each domestically and internationally. They’re well-known, have fashion and are the constant face of Kenya. ‘A-List’ means you’ve got a world viewers, you rub shoulders with Oprah Winfrey and the President sends greetings. There is just one Kenyan who made our ‘A-list’: Lupita Nyong’o, Kenya’s first Oscar nominee who was lately voted the perfect dressed movie star in the course of the Golden Globe Crimson carpet occasion. Her dazzling crimson Ralph Lauren costume price £4, 265 (Sh609,000) and designers will probably be knocking at her door to put on their creations for the principle Oscar award gala on March 2. ‘A-List’ personalities get mentions in magazines like Vogue that wrote of Lupita: “She stole every red-carpet heart this fall with her clean silhouettes, close-cropped coif and ear-to-ear smile.”
We haven’t talked about that the daughter of Kisumu Senator Prof Anyang’ Nyong’o wore Fred Leighton Jewels together with diamond studs in gold and an 11 carat cushion reduce diamond ring.
Google search engine has recorded excessive visitors of Kenyans on-line looking her identify since she was nominated for the Oscar Award.
‘B-List’ Celebrities
They’re wealthy and well-known however not on a world scale. They’re recognized in Europe and a few components of the world. Right here, you’ll be able to slot in sports activities stars like Dennis Oliech, who’s a family identify in France the place he’s paid Sh91 million to play for Ajaccio.
Kenya’s highest paid CEO trousers house round Sh3.9 million in line with a latest Value water home Coopers Nationwide Human Sources Survey, making Oliech’s month-to-month wage twice that of any CEOs.
Then there’s Southampton’s Sh1.7 billion man Victor Wanyama who was offered by Celtic — making him the membership’s most costly sale in its 126-year historical past.
His brother McDonald Mariga at Italian membership Parma on mortgage from Inter-Milan, is among the many 25 highest incomes African sportsmen, in line with ESPN journal’s Cash Concern wage survey by way of his Sh110 million annual wage.
Additionally on the ‘B-List’ are our athletes, the Golden League class comprising 800m sensation David Rudisha, 3000m steeplechaser Ezekiel Kemboi and ‘Laureus World Sports Award for Sportswoman of the Year’ and 5000m sizzling cake, Vivian Cheruiyot.
Embrace too enterprise magnate Chris Kirubi, Kenya’s most expensively dressed man: DJ ‘CK’ buys his handmade woolen double breasts in upscale Italian vogue home, Brioni, the place retired American President George W. Bush and property impresario Donald Trump additionally store. An off-the-peg swimsuit right here prices $5, 000 (Sh425, 000), whereas custom-made one will set you again $6, 500 (Sh552, 000).
Brioni, the place tailors are educated for 4 years, has 25, 000 elite shoppers globally, and the administrators know Kirubi in particular person!
By the way in which, the costliest Brioni swimsuit is from the wool of the uncommon South American vicuna, the wild relative of the Llama that dents in $48, 000 (Sh4 million)!
Then there ‘B-list’ ‘aspirants’ who lack that je nais cest quoi to claw in. Like Eastlands-born however American-based actor Edi Gathegi.
‘C List’ Celebrities
These are celebs who’ve damaged into the continental stage. Should you to go Nigeria, they’re recognized, maybe. Like Papa Shirandula who appeared within the “Brrr” Coke advert beamed throughout Africa. Add actress Lizz Njagah who has appeared in Naija movies too. Musicians sneak into the ‘C-List’ courtesy of continental awards like Kora, Channel ‘O’ and the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMAs). Like Wahu, Anonymous, Amani and Daddy Owen who scooped the perfect ‘Anglophone’ award in the course of the 2010 MAMAs.
Showing in actuality reveals like Large Brother Africa means Prezzo (who was runners up in 2012) and Huddah Monroe are within the ‘C-List.’
Zain Africa Problem presenter John Sibi-Okumu can be within the ‘C-List’ in addition to Kenyan Caine Prize winner Binyavanga Wainaina, who created some storm lately for letting the world know he’s homosexual.
Right here, in case you are a musician means your music has made some ‘noise’ in ‘Bongo’ land. You’re ‘slightly’ recognized past our borders. So, Jaguar, who has ‘crossed borders’ musicallhy talking, can be among the many few artistes to be a part of the ‘Niko Na Safaricom Live Tours’ makes it to the ‘D-List’ class.
The matapeli singer has additionally signed offers with EABL and Unilever Kenya. Jaguar expenses within the upwards of Sh300,000 per look. Just lately, the businessman and artiste purchased properties in Karen, Athi River and Pangani. He’s additionally believed to personal a number of companies including to his showbiz cash. Responding to Oliech’s problem to hitch the ‘A-list’ Jaguar mentioned: “I’m a business man. I’m all about making money and not joining petty peer groups.”
Others within the ‘D-List’ embrace Afro fusion artist Eric Wainaina, Sarah Hassan of Mashariki Combine on M-Web and AFC Leopards footballer Allan Wanga — who has performed in Angola and Azerbaijan Premier League aspect FC Baku, nonetheless desires of enjoying within the UEFA Europa League. Wanga lives along with his household in his personal home in Ongata Rongai.
‘E-List’ Celebrities
‘E-List’ celebs could have cash, property, are well-known, however few know you past Namanga, Moyale and Dujis. All tv presenters: Julie Gichuru, Janet Mbugua, Linda Obura, Brenda Wanga, Larry Madowo and Jimmi Gathu and radio personalities Maina Kageni, Caroline Mutoko, Nick Odhiambo, Ciku Muiruri, Edward Kwach and Shaffie Weru. Additionally embrace comedians like Daniel “Churchill” Ndambuki, Wanjiku “The Teacher” and Eric Omondi, belong to this class — regardless of often showing within the continental Evening of a Thousand Laughs.
Add too some political analysts like Mutahi Ngunyi and visual politicians like Rachel Shebesh and flamboyant Nairobi Senator Mike Sonko. Musicians who don’t make the massive past East Africa like Nonini, Jua Cali and Avril are “E” materials celebs, regardless of not taking lower than Sh100,000 per present. Measurement 8 and her Sh1.2 million Toyota Celica purchased from the ‘Safaricom Live Tours’ in 2012, and who induced quite a lot of buzz when she switched to gospel and secretly acquired married to DJ Moh, is an “E” class celeb in addition to the entire solid of Tahidi Excessive: Miss Morgan, Omosh, OJ, and all different native programmes!
‘F-Record’ Celebrities
These are aspiring celebrities, like musicians with one-hit surprise songs, comedians who ‘once in a while’ seem on the Churchill Present like Owago Onyiro and ‘Sleepy.’
Socialites like Vera Sidika, who get publicity from posting nude pictures and ‘beefing’ with anybody who provides them consideration, are “F” class celebs.
Those that are recognized for that includes in one-off TV reveals or date celebrities like Mirfat Musa, Brigid Shighadi and Stacey Pendo are additionally “F” materials.
‘Y-List’ Celebrities
Right here, showbiz leisure journalists who brush shoulders with celebrities (and write half-baked items) have a house. Additionally embrace bloggers who create hype on social media like Robert Alai and have sizeable followers whereas few can recognise them in actual life are slotted right here too alongside ‘has beens” like rapper Darlin’ P and radio woman Muthoni Bwika and former 5 Alive singer Victor Seii.
-Further reporting by Oscar Plato
“Well bless their hearts.”
