Vivian: Female artistes are sexually objectified

Having survived physical and sexual abuse early in her career, singer Vivian feels for other girls trying to make it.

Speaking to Word Is last week, the 'Chum Chum' hitmaker said, "Some of the men in the entertainment industry objectify female artistes and it is very common."

Adding, "It is the nature of that space. The experiences I have had have shaped me and I tend to have a lot of empathy for young girls growing in the industry." 

On her sexual abuse, she blames identity crisis. "I realised that all along, I was waiting for other people to give me permission to be me yet God had already qualified me," she said.

"So all the sexual and physical abuse, I am not saying that I caused it but just the fact that I wasn't able to identify that this was a bad space for me... That is a form of self-rejection cause I didn't love myself enough to walk away from a bad situation."

Vivian said she didn't know better and had not reported it to the authorities.

"To be honest, I didn't take legal action at that time because I was very alone and I didn't know which way to turn to. I remember I talked to a gospel artiste at the time who was my neighbour. He told me to leave those things alone and that the world is normally like that.

"Maybe I would have if I knew better and if I had support. I am happy that girls right now are coming out to report."

Speaking on her experiences as a female secular musician in Kenya, she said it is "more like personal struggles, self-rejection, identity crises".

"As a female artiste, the package comes in, the shorter the short, the tighter the boots, the smaller the crop-top. Date the right person. Date someone who will connect you. Meet so and so. It has a lot to do with seeking externally and waiting for people to validate you so that you fit in. And it doesn't work."

She also complained that people in the industry try to romantically hook up the female artistes with top dogs in the political scene.

"Even the person advising you doesn't know what they are supposed to be doing. Generally, I have really passed through so much. Like people try to pimp you out to politicians because you are pretty. All kinds of absurdities."

She urged young girls to be confident in their own abilities and be their genuine selves.

"Whoever you are supposed to be, however, you are supposed to be. You will still shine because the gift is still the gift," she said.

"It's just sad that when you don't know who you are, the world will give you a false sense of identity that can kill you, cause you're trying to keep up and you're not being the real you. You're trying to become someone who you think people will accept and love."

The singer is currently promoting her new gospel song, 'Nimechoka na Kugambo'.