Anastasia Kirathe is a Kenyan actress, model, and content creator, best known for her role as Jojo in the Citizen TV series Neema. In the series, Jojo is the daughter of Neema and Eddie, a character who grapples with the emotional challenges of her father’s abandonment, often holding her mother responsible for their family’s struggles.
Beyond her impressive acting career, Anastasia has established a strong presence on social media platforms, including Instagram and TikTok, where she shares a blend of personal insights, behind-the-scenes content, and glimpses into her work. With over 221,000 followers and 1.7 million likes on TikTok, her influence extends well beyond the screen, connecting her with a growing fanbase.
Anastasia’s portrayal of Jojo has played a pivotal role in the success of Neema, a gripping drama that explores themes of intrigue, betrayal, and complex family dynamics. The show has garnered a loyal following, with audiences drawn in by the raw emotion and powerful performances from its talented cast members, Anastasia included. In this exclusive interview, we dive into her journey, her portrayal of Jojo, and her evolving career as an actress and influencer.
Tell us a little bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue acting and content creation…
My background was more rooted in sports than drama or acting. I was always drawn to serious fields like swimming during my primary school years, and later, I focused more on basketball in high school.Acting, however, came to light for me when I was in Class 6 during a vocation bible study session. We had an instructor who had skitted some pages and happened to select me to play the lead character in the play. After the performance, a random lady approached me and complimented my acting, saying how talented I was. That moment stayed with me, and ever since that day, I’ve been deeply inspired to pursue acting.
Who or what has been your biggest influence in shaping your career?
Interestingly, I’ve never looked up to someone and thought of them as my biggest influence. However, one moment that has truly shaped my career was when a random lady in church told me, ‘You are such a good actress.’ The way she said it—with so much conviction—made me believe in my potential and pushed me to pursue acting seriously.I would also credit my parents for instilling a go-getter spirit in me from a young age, which has been instrumental in my journey.
What does your daily routine look like as an actress, content creator and influencer?
Oh my God, I’m still trying to figure out my daily routine! At the moment, I don’t have a fixed schedule because most of my time is spent on set acting. However, whenever I get a break, I either take some time to rest or dive straight into creating content.I focus on platforms like YouTube and Instagram since I consider content creation and influencing as part of my career as well
How did you land your role as Jojo on Neema and what has the experience been like working on the show?
Jojo on Neema! (Saying excitedly) I went for an audition, got called back for a second round, and finally landed the role. The experience has been truly life-changing compared to how things were before the show.As an introvert, my life used to be very straightforward—going to school and coming back home, on repeat. Now, as an actress, everything is completely different. I have to wake up very early in the morning, and sometimes I think it’s karma because I never used to wake up this early when I was in school (laughs). It’s like “You have no other choice now, you got to wake up girl”
What challenges have you faced as an actress and how have you overcome them?
Challenges? Oh my, I have only two major ones right now (sighs). First, waking up early—loooord! I have to set at least 10 alarms, or else you’d all miss me on Neema.Secondly, being part of a fast-paced daily show like Neema comes with its own pressures. We actors have tight deadlines, so we have to get into character quickly and understand our scripts just as fast. Thankfully, I’m in a good place now—it took me about a month or so to adapt.
Are there any roles or genres you dream of exploring in the future?
Yes, I really want to do something action-packed, like being in an action movie where I’m performing flips, 180s, and so on. Using all my body movements and strength. I’d love to star in a movie where I’m physically active, and by the end of the day, I can say I’m really tired and sweaty. Also, since I love playing basketball, I’d love to be in a movie about basketball or something similar.
You have a significant following on Instagram and TikTok. How do you balance personal expression with professional branding on these platforms?
I wouldn’t say there’s a lot of personal expression explicitly shown on my page, which is something I’d like to change. The main expression that’s always there is ‘Jojo,’ where I talk about my acting and Neema, the show. My personal expression as Anastasia shines through more in makeup videos or when I showcase my art. Even though my page may not always highlight my personality in every post, I still consider my content to be authentically me, as it reflects who I am.
What’s the most rewarding part of connecting with your fans online?
Uhm, engagements. The connections and interactions usually start when I post something, and people comment, sharing their opinions, which I really love. Sometimes, there are negative comments, but I try to view them as constructive criticism. The most rewarding part is when I post something and my fans or followers engage with it by sharing, commenting, tagging, or reposting. Keep in mind that these people are not just your viewers; they are also your employers—they’re the ones who will keep your brand moving
https://youtube.com/@anastasia.kirathe?si=WenqD772e-vpKTSX
Have there been any memorable or touching moments with your followers that stand out to you?
Yes! Oh my gosh, there are these two kids I once met on the road on different days. What stood out to me was how much trust they had in me—how they ran toward me, jumped into my arms, knowing I would catch them. I saw pure love in that moment. When we hugged, it was such a cute and genuine moment. I found it so touching.
You often emphasize on “MINDSET” in your content, what does that mean to you, and how has it impacted your life and career?
I believe that how you perceive things dictates how your life will unfold. It’s directly proportional—if I choose to set my mind on negativity, I’m perceiving things negatively, which will lead to a pessimistic outlook. In life, there’s both a positive side and a negative side. Mindset is very important. In short, my advice would be: always be optimistic, and think positively about yourself and life.
How do you stay motivated and maintain a positive outlook especially in the face of challenges?
Again, I simply switch my mindset in the face of any challenge. There are two ways to look at it: negatively or positively. Acceptance is key. When life gives you lemons, you squeeze them and make lemonade.
What projects or goals are you currently working on or hoping to achieve in the near future?
I have something very big planned for the future, and it’s for everyone! Please stay tuned if you really want to know what it is. I can’t go into too much detail yet, but something exciting is coming.
How do you see yourself evolving as an actress and influencer in the next five years?
I’m going to say this right here, right now: I’m going to be a superstar. I don’t care what anybody says. I’m going to be one of the biggest stars Kenya has to offer, and I’ll win international awards. And you’ll all be saying, ‘She said it and did it!’ Am I being overconfident? No, I’m just extremely positive.
If you weren’t an actress or influencer, what other career path would you have pursued?
Oh my goodness, I loved physics in high school. I would definitely be doing something related to physics, and now that you’ve asked, I’m currently pursuing Electronics and Electrical Engineering at university.
What’s one thing your fans might not know about you?
What I know is that my fans probably know more about me than I would have wanted them to. But even so, I don’t think they know how much I love playing basketball. I used to play both guard and forward. I also love chapatis more than anything (laughs), and in real life, I’m such a funny person, even though I’m often mistaken for being only serious. The truth is, I have two extremes—I’m very funny and very serious.
What advice would you give to young people who aspire to follow your footsteps?
Keep your goal in front of you. If you’re young like me, you have enough time in life to focus on relationships later. So, don’t let friendships or a relationship get in the way of your goals. No matter what happens in life, your goal should always come first. And two, GROW UP! By that, I mean take responsibility for your future, stop getting distracted by temporary things, and start making decisions that will lead you to success.
Lastly, is there anything exciting you’d like to share with our readers or your fans…..
One exciting thing I’d like to share with my fans and the readers of this article is that something great is coming. I truly appreciate all of you for your love and support. It’s time for you to blossom—don’t just stay a fan forever. Don’t be the one who’s always watching and clapping; get up and do something. We are all gifted.
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