AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH JUNE NJENGA (‘CIKU’ OF BIG GIRL SMALL WORLD)

Last year, Movie Buff gave Big Girl Small World – a unique Kenyan comedy series- two thumbs up. As if as vindication for the high rating, the show and its actors also raked in numerous awards last year. Ever since then, we made it a sworn duty to get and interview the show’s star, June Njenga. We were curious about the refreshing take on modern African life and the main character herself. We knew our Webcitizens were too! So she was gracious enough to oblige, even weathering some hitches along the way, to speak to us about her career and BGSW.

If you haven’t watched BGSW and love a series with effortless, realistic humour, it’s worth checking out. Well, here’s our interview with Ciku of BGSW!

Hello, June. Thanks for honouring our invitation and welcome to a brief chat with Teambooktu.

Thank you for having me, it’s my pleasure.

So how did June Njenga get into acting?

My journey in acting started in kindergarten and has been so throughout my school life. I have extensive experience in theatre. Many schools in Kenya have drama as part of our curriculum so we are introduced to theatre from a very young age.

There’s a marked difference between stage and screen acting. Some actors don’t successfully make the transition. They still act in front of the camera as if they are on stage. Looking at BGSW, it wasn’t much of a challenge for you. What is your secret?

Understanding the difference between the stage and the set is very fundamental to an actor’s performance. I believe actors are made in theatre, on stage, or in acting class or a school of drama whereas film/television is a filmmaker’s arena. Depending on the platform you’re expressing this art, you need to understand what is required of your performance to better connect, articulate, inspire, motivate, and entertain that particular audience.

Your acting in BGSW was so natural. It makes me wonder how much of June is in your role as the main character ‘Ciku‘.

If I had a dollar for every time I’m asked this question. (Laughs) Let’s just say there are traits that Ciku and June share, for instance, our personalities to an extent are almost similar, her skill sets or strengths are shared, physically we are identical (laughs), and we don’t share an exact similar background but I empathize with hers. We are also from the same tribe, daughters of the mountain Agîkūyū/Kikuyu Bantus from central Kenya. However, there is a distinct difference in how we both relate, respond, and react to most people and situations. A huge difference when it comes to our taste in men. But I love Ciku with all my heart, she is my ride-or-die.

Kudos to the director and the casting! The series was so natural- mirrored real life – and was not desperately trying to be funny. Your BFF in the series was a free-spirited Aisha (Daina Njuguna). Her ebullience and spontaneity looked like second nature to her and quite infectious.

Daina is an awesome person. One of the best co-actors and people I have had the pleasure to meet and work with. A professionally trained and accomplished actor. Her performance is impeccable. Also, we had an amazing ensemble of actors who gave a great performance and a phenomenal crew. Kudos to the team and Showmax at large.

Interesting! Okay, so I loved how the show ended. It left it to us to fill in the blanks…and we did. But many are curious to know: Should we expect a Season 2?

Erm… I am not at liberty to comment. Any communication will officially come from Showmax and our Producers. Also, feel free to reach out to them via social media to give your feedback and share your thoughts regarding BGSW. It will be well appreciated.

Oookayy, tell us this then: Are we expecting to see you in another film or series soon?

Yes, actually late last year, two films I was in premièred: ON AIR and Makosa Ni Yangu. This year, there is definitely more to come. I am especially excited about going back to my roots in theatre. I have an upcoming play/stage reading this month.  A powerful African story about the brilliance and resilience of African women: The Cry of Winnie Mandela. Based on a novel by Njabulo S Ndebele, adapted by Alex Burger.

 Could you tell us a bit about how you got the role of Ciku?

Sure,  I saw the casting call in one of the casting groups on WhatsApp from a casting director I have worked with before and have known for a long time. Shout out to Mr. Kevin Ogola. The first character’s description, Ciku, was very much me physically, similar in personality, and our skill set, especially being a voice-over artist, I was able to create a radio voice for the character. I mean, there was so much that checked out. So then I sent my professional shots and a monologue to the casting director, fingers crossed. A week later, I got an email inviting me to the first physical audition and, a couple of auditions after, the rest was history. (Smile)

What do you think of the Kenyan Film Industry and its development compared to other African countries like South Africa, Nigeria (Nollywood), etc?

The Kenyan film industry is still growing compared to Nigeria and South Africa. It does have unique stories and an emerging pool of talent, but its industry is still finding ways to effectively distribute and promote films/content on a larger scale. It benefits from niche audiences in digital spaces but still struggles with institutional support and the development of large-scale infrastructure. As compared to South Africa’s film/creative industry, which is more developed in terms of infrastructure and financial support, local funding and international investment, as well as a strong distribution network, especially in the global market, and established film schools, acting schools, and training institutions. As compared to Nollywood, which produces more films/content than any other country and has a massive global audience, especially in Africa and the diaspora. Nollywood’s appeal lies in its prolific output and affordable production costs, even though sometimes it faces criticism for its quality control issues.

What inspired BGSW?

A desire to represent plus-size women and empower them whilst challenging societal beauty standards. The series offers a refreshing perspective on self-love, confidence, and breaking away from stereotypes, giving a voice to a group that has often been marginalized in both local and international media. The show also inspired the need to tell authentic stories of women to explore the complexities of self-identity and shed light on societal pressures, particularly around body image and gender roles. The show’s relatability and bold approach to addressing such issues have contributed to its growing popularity.

We just celebrated IWD. It’s quite significant to note that BGSW was written by an all-women crew. How relevant was that to the final product?

The predominantly female scriptwriting team for Big Girl Small World played a crucial role in ensuring that the series authentically captured the experiences of not only plus-size women but women in general. They made the storyline more relatable and empowering but also challenged societal expectations by focusing on a marginalized group. The writers’ perspectives were key in telling a story that resonated with many different women who are overlooked every day in life. This ultimately contributes to the show’s success and the broader conversation about body image and representation.

There were characters like your God-fearing, disciplinarian mother Mama Ciku, whom many African mothers and daughters can relate to.  Were the producers deliberate about keeping the comedy grounded and relatable?

Yes, they were. From the character creation to the script writing, the director’s vision, wardrobe, and makeup inspiration, coupled with the talented and experienced actors, it was definitely bound to be a win. It was truly an honour working on this project.

Being so grounded, were you ever nervous about the show’s reception and appreciation outside of Kenya?

I had no doubt in my mind about the show’s success outside of Kenya. The show is truly a global sensation. It won two international awards, two or three months after streaming on Showmax. Best Short Series in Africa and Best Editing for a Series at the Dakar Series Festival 2024. At the same festival, I won my first international award, Best Actress in a Short Series, for my performance. I also got a nomination for Most Influential Actress at the Pulse Influencer Awards Kenya 2024. Not to mention all the feedback, reactions, responses, excitement, and appreciation from our fans both locally and internationally. Our fans have consistently expressed their appreciation for the show’s authenticity, quality of production, unique perspectives, relatability, and representation. They also mention its impact on their individual lives, the inspiration it sparked, and the entertainment it provided.

Back in 2023, you starred in a comedy movie called ‘An Instant Dad’. Do you see any difference between movie acting and acting for a multi-part series?

(Deep breath) Right, so acting for television and film is almost a similar technique, but the approach differs. Television requires more consistency, adaptability, and the capability to maintain a character over time. There is less rehearsal time and more pressure to produce quickly. On the other hand, film allows for a more detailed exploration of character within the narrative. I also feel there is more time and resources to perfect performances. Generally, acting for television or film provides distinct challenges and opportunities for an actor to grow and showcase their craft.

Was An Instant Dad your first film role?

(Loud laughter) No. I have been in the Kenyan film industry since 2019. Officially, however, I have been a performing artist in theatre and voice work for much longer. I had two films prior: one was not finished to date and the other was never released. This would make An Instant Dad my 3rd film, ON AIR my 4th, and Makosa Ni Yangu my 5th.

Interesting. It would be good to see more collaborations in the film industry among African countries. A comedy starring you and Nigerian actress, Funke Akindele (of Jenifa fame) would be nice. How do you think we can encourage such collaborations?

Honestly, that would be a winner and not to mention an honour. Such collaborations are possible through co-productions, streaming platform opportunities, and cultural exchange programs. Also, joint brand deals, digital platforms, joint training programs, industry events, and so on. I believe we have immense potential to enrich African cinema and foster greater unity in the continent’s entertainment and creative industry at large.

Thanks a lot for your time and patience.  We hope to see more of June this year. (No pun intended- lol).

Once again, thank you to the Teambooktu team.  I really appreciate the work you’re doing and the impact you’re creating for Africa’s Creative Arts. 🥂 Here’s to our professional paths encountering again. Upwards and Onwards!