Tonnies interview with cecilia mwangi

Saucy Just got a face

Meet Cecilia Mwangi

2005 saw a beautiful IT student being donned the tiara from a field of other equally good-looking ladies and be announced as the new Miss Kenya. Since then with innumerable straight roads and some intersects, she still is a beauty with a soul to match. Cecilia Mwangi talks to HFM’s Anthony Nabiliki on fashion, her spunky side and her passion for society.

What self-attributes do you pride yourself in?
I am hardworking, a go-getter and a loving girl. But I tend not to be taken so seriously at times. I think it is because I am ever smiling. Intelligent too because you cannot make it in the fashion world if you are not so bright.

At what point did you first start out in the fashion world and how did that come to be?
That was back in high school, it was State House Girls when I became the first runners up in our school pageant, Miss Stato. From there I has this passion for fashion and catwalk and used to look up to other girls like Debra Sanaipei and others and say to myself, that is where I want to be. Immediately after school I did Miss Nairobi in 2004 where I managed a slot in the top seven. That wasn’t too good for me so the go-getter in me pushed me on for the crown which and in 2005 I went for it and got it. I guess was more prepared.

What can you say were your most memorable times?
Memorable moments are a lot. The title opened up many doors of opportunity for me. I got to meet and network with a lot of people of different statures, from dignitaries to political heavies, celebrities and whole lot. I can say that is when I got to really mingle with the community in terms of social work. But being on the high table is a good thing once in a while. It was what I used to dream of a lot when was in school and it was wonderful living my dream.

Did having the Miss Kenya crown change you in any way?
Many ways. Completely changed my social ways and the way I relate to people. It made me have to put in double effort in everything that I do. Considering I am a student and the crown comes with responsibilities. In a nutshell I have learned how to strive real hard not to fail.

What was the deal with the jiggers campaign in Mathioya and what’s the development so far?
Once I started it, it didn’t seem like a big thing, but when I raised the issue I can say the public embraced it positively. I went there and officially opened a centre and the whole sight was incredible. Seeing people being treated at the centre and getting well plus being fed at the centre, it gave me a really great feeling. Right now we are creating awareness on the whole issue and I have put someone on the ground to sensitize people on cleanliness of their environment and personal hygiene. And from a follow up I made recently I have seen that it is really working and the changes can now be seen.

What keeps you busy currently?
My jigger campaign, of course schooling, some social work here and there, for example now I am working at Mukuru kwa Njenga Slums where I am giving them some pointers on a beauty pageant they are planning to hold n the near future. And most definitely I am still actively involved in fashion.
Is it tough living life in the limelight?
Oh… definitely Yes. You have to change your ways or else…(laughs) That little slip you make can be hell for you because every step you make, you have a million eyes glued on you. It is a bit un-comfy when most of the criticisms thrown at you are negative. So you try being perfect which you know you are not and can never be.

Do you lose sleep over it?
Initially I used to be disturbed at some points, but now I know that I am living my own life and if I am not engaged in whatever’s being claimed then I don’t even give it a second thought.

The runway doesn’t seem easy, what goes through your mind when you are strutting the catwalk?
You become the centre of attraction and personally there’s this feeling that engulfs me that is so hard to explain. It is simply too nice. To me it is sought of therapeutic because I can enter the catwalk feeling mad but I get out refreshed and smiling.

Between the fashion runway and print modeling, which one is more exciting to you?
I’d say the runway because of the space it opens for you. People get to see your skills first hand if I might say. Of course print modeling works well too but the spunkier side of you is captured on the catwalk and there is more potential for you to attract more clients. Also if a model isn’t too photogenic for print, she can have what it takes to pull it off real nice on the catwalk.

What are your limits as a model?
I can do anything as long as it is not nudity. That is where I draw the line. I can do bikini modeling comfortably because t s not really a big deal, infact it builds your self-confidence. But exposing my better bits… that’s out of the question.

Can you describe yourself as a giver or a taker?
75% of me is a giver. You should always have a piece for others in the community. That is what the whole Beauty with a Purpose Miss Kenya motto is all about. But I also have to be a taker once in a while because a girl’s gotta eat you know.

What’s your secret to keeping yourself this sexy?
Ouch…that’s a hard one (laughs) Anyway, two main things. Watching what goes through my mouth and watching my stress levels. You cannot look good when you are stressed. It takes a lot to piss me off, I never take things personally. Exercising for me is a no no! I went to the gym once, the following day I woke up and said no never again – the pain! Some dancing is good enough exercise for me.

Who’s the lucky guy dating you at the moment, if there’s one that is, and what makes him tick?
Ha ha ha… Currently I can comfortably say I am not seeing anyone. Though the rumours fly here and there when am seen hanging out with someone, I aint seeing no one at the moment.

Still, what would make him tick?
No clichés of tall, dark, rich, handsome and all that bubble. Him and me have to have quite much in common. He has to be good looking obviously, though my idea of good looking might differ from the next person’s. He has to be someone with whom I can have a conversation, not all talk about the weather. Should also have a good sense of humour and he has to be good in… you know.

What is your all time most favorite movie or series?
I love desperate housewives, though I am not desperate and I don’t see myself in any of the characters, but I love Eva Longoria’s character, Gabby. But any movie that has loads of humour and relates to what are and have, that’s good for me.

You had a stint on TV is this something you plan to pursue further in future?
It was on a lottery called Je Ukipata where I was doing some presentations. I have also done a commercial but TV is not an active agenda in my life as at now. Maybe as a by the way in future.

It’s our Music issue this month, what is your favourite type of music, and who do you think is in at the moment?
I love mostly all types of music except for reggae. Most of all I love crunk, crunk and some more crunk. Soft rock too and some mellow music once in a while. My most favorite right now is This is why am hot! By MIMS.

A beautiful girl like yourself surely loosens up once in a while, what do you do when the ‘wild bug’ bites?
To me wild is in the club or when there’s just the two of you in a room, so which..

What about both?
(Laughs) Anyways … I love going to the club in short, tight mini skirts and dance all night, do some gin and tonic or some shooters, but not to go overboard. Girls’ wild nights out are the thing for me. that is how I loosen up.

What’s next for Cecelia Mwangi?
Get my degree in IT that am pursuing at the moment. Fashionwise I am looking at doing an international magazine like Cosmo. Of course HFM is the best now, best quality. It also wont hurt if I woke up in Milan one day, doing my thing.. you know.

Kisses or Hugs
Kisses, they are deeper
Christmas or Halloween
Halloween
Roses or Lilies
Roses
Scary or Comedy
Comedy
Tattoos or Piercings
Piercings
Bath or Shower
Baths, loooong baths