PERSONALITY PROFILE: AVRIL kenya

Avril is in control, strong but humble, affectionate and motherly as well

Judith Nyambura Mwangi, popularly known as Avril was born and raised in Shabaab Area, Nakuru Town. This region is basically dominated by industries and garages. A fellow native of Nakuru described it as the Eastlands of Nairobi, with few mansions here and there. It is amazing how glamorous life has turned out to be for her.

 Life on stage began in Lion’s Primary School, Nakuru. Here, she was an active Drama Club member .This basically involved singing, acting and being the Master of Ceremonies. Confidence before large crowds at this age is rare .Well, for Avril, she had staunch support from her parents.

Maureen Healy, the founder of Growing Happy Kids confirms that when parents listen to their children’s dreams they nurture confidence and self-trust in the child. Encouragement and courage made her who she is today. Psychological immaturity may mould pride and gradual concentration –shift from education to amusement of fame. This was never Avril.

In fact, “Looking back it feels like being on stage had already been planned for me.”Avril said. “It felt so normal, it’s like I was not doing something before a crowd.” This only means that it did not feel like much of a big deal, enough to make her pompous. Away from stage, she was and still is the reserved, quiet type.

The Mwangis then moved to Saint Mary’s Area, Nakuru. She was 13 years old .This is still home sweet home for sweet Avril. No pun intended. “I get really caught up in work but I try to be home every two to three months.” Her parents live the modern ways so they do not keep cows that she can milk once in a while. “When I’m home I just sleep. Rest.”

Moving to Uganda

The change was good. Avril needed it. When she entered secondary school her parents asked her to set aside performing arts. They felt it was time she concentrated on her studies. Fully concentrate! Moreover, Moi Forces Academy, Lanet was a catholic school. The curriculum was strictly working hard. All work no play makes Judy a dull one. Uganda meant freedom and chance to explore her dreams. Also, she had a passion for Makerere University. The country loved her. “I was made president of so many clubs. At some point I was even a head girl.”All these experiences mould her flamboyant personality.

 Career shaped

She made her first debut in 2006.Till now she has done Kitu Kimoja, Mama, Chokoza (featuring Marya) and Najivunia (featuring Trapee).She has also won several awards which include Chaguo La Teeniez Best Female Artiste 2011 and 2012, Nzumari Awards Best Female Artiste 2011 and Kisima Awards Boomba Artist of the year 2012.Notice, it took about five years to secure a place in the music industry.

 Look at Camp Mulla.(Though recently apart). They are much younger but their reign over the music industry, unlike Avril, was instant. Well, she attributes this to two things: Revolution of technology, Merging of entrepreneurship with music. These privileges were amiss during her generation of artistes.

Besides, “I was never really serious about my music career till 2010.”All the same, she is proud of the Camp Mulla generation. “I am ecstatic, because their work shows that the industry is growing.”

Growth is the most valuable asset of artistes, as a family. The current change in the comedy industry in Kenya is a perfect embodiment of growth.

In 2010, she was nominated for the Channel O Music Video Awards. She did not win but felt entirely proud that she got there. “Being nominated alongside big shots in the industry is already a win.” The award placed Avril in the ring to wrestle Nameless, Wyre, Shaa Khan (Tanzanian) and Obita (South African). The young lady is sure that her time will come but until then, she will continue to emulate her icons. Beyonce does it for Avril when it comes to music and character. This is apropos to what an article done by Ghafla Kenya claimed; likened her to Rihanna.

 “My style…yes…may be a bit of Rihanna but Beyonce gets a full pass.” It is because the latter is powerful, in control, strong, independent but humble, affectionate and motherly as well. The former, on the other hand, is “Needy and lonely. Being someone who needs love is not a good thing especially for a woman.”

Icon number two is Oprah Winfrey who inspires her to helping the youth. Other icons include Tyra Banks, Chris Kirubi and Richard Branson. Avril is reading Losing My Virginity by R.B which talks about how to blend business and fun.

In five years, she aspires to have done collaborations with the likes of Beyonce. Avril intends to venture other genres of music too. She hopes to open an art school and develop it to a spectacular level. She is also working on something to flip the state of fashion in Nakuru. Charity does begin at home.

Matters of the heart


“Love is care, honesty, trust, security.” She can only settle for a man who gives 100 percent of these. Marrying a man with an incompatible chart is acceptable for her only if there are things to learn from each other and talk about as well.

During this interview there were rumours about Jalang'o dating her . She smiled and said, “…he is hardworking, very talented, protective…gives 80 percent…”This statement adorned by the shy smile and evasive eye contact she had, spoke a lot more though.

She adores cooking. Dhania is the one ingredient that never misses in most of her dishes. “I am Kikuyu, you know.”

The Law of Attraction is her basic principle in life. Positive attracts Positive. This is why she likes optimists who, even more, add value to her life. It explains why she monitors her crowd on social media, notices the pessimistic, abusive ones then blocks them.

Celebrities should know how to distinguish true love from vague love, from their fans. Some people are out to just smash them to nothingness. When Avril was fresh in the industry, insults or condescending comments from her audience made her cry. The sex scandal, however, turned out to be her blessing in disguise. “It made me strong…so strong.” Her advice to fellow public figures barbed in such scandals is to simply keep positive company and keep their head up. They should also refuse to hurdle up in a corner complaining about life, pitying themselves. Learn and move on.

 Being a designer, she automatically loves colours. Avril, nevertheless, dislikes Yellow. “It is mafuta-ish” (Like oil).In her point of view, it is an unhealthy colour.

On the whole, her family is her world whereas her home is her haven. These own the biggest part of her noble but warm heart. This is why no one enters her home except her very close friends and family. Wallace Ngige, a production manager, D. j and presenter in 87.6 radio of Kigali, Rwanda, has worked with Avril. He describes her as intelligent, big hearted, funny and caring. Interestingly, you even do not have to be closely acquainted to realize that Avril is down to earth, charismatic and very supportive and never looks down upon anyone. Arnold Muthama, a fan, commented.