Vimbai Mutinhiri is a model, presenter and actress
who burst onto the African stage as a housemate in Big Brother Amplified. Born
in her home country Zimbabwe, she started her career as an actress at the age
of 15 when she starred in a short film for the Zimbabwe International Film
Festival titled “Who’s In Charge”. She went on to play a lead role in
Zimbabwe’s first soapie, Studio 263 and did some modeling while she was
studying at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. In 2011, she took part
in Big Brother Amplified which opened doors to bigger platforms. Now 26, she
co-hosts Africa Magic Entertainment’s daily entertainment and lifestyle news
program, StarGist. During her latest trip to Nigeria, BellaNaija’s Adeola
Adeyemo caught up with her for an interesting chat on her career, her Big Brother
experience and more.
who burst onto the African stage as a housemate in Big Brother Amplified. Born
in her home country Zimbabwe, she started her career as an actress at the age
of 15 when she starred in a short film for the Zimbabwe International Film
Festival titled “Who’s In Charge”. She went on to play a lead role in
Zimbabwe’s first soapie, Studio 263 and did some modeling while she was
studying at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. In 2011, she took part
in Big Brother Amplified which opened doors to bigger platforms. Now 26, she
co-hosts Africa Magic Entertainment’s daily entertainment and lifestyle news
program, StarGist. During her latest trip to Nigeria, BellaNaija’s Adeola
Adeyemo caught up with her for an interesting chat on her career, her Big Brother
experience and more.
Although this is not her first time in Nigeria, Vimbai is here
for probably one of the biggest breaks in her career. She will be co-hosting
the maiden edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards with IK Osakioduwa in Lagos later this
evening and just like most Africans, she is very excited about the awards and
the opportunity to be a co-host.
for probably one of the biggest breaks in her career. She will be co-hosting
the maiden edition of the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards with IK Osakioduwa in Lagos later this
evening and just like most Africans, she is very excited about the awards and
the opportunity to be a co-host.
I know this is not your first visit to Nigeria but this time
around you’re here for something big. How do you feel at this point in time?
It’s a bit exciting because it’s our first African Film & TV Awards of this
magnitude so to be chosen to co-host is really an honour. It’s also a great
honour to work with IK who is so well established and has a great reputation in
the industry.
around you’re here for something big. How do you feel at this point in time?
It’s a bit exciting because it’s our first African Film & TV Awards of this
magnitude so to be chosen to co-host is really an honour. It’s also a great
honour to work with IK who is so well established and has a great reputation in
the industry.
Why do you think you were chosen to co-host the awards?
I think I need to give the first testimony to hard work. Since I started
hosting TV shows, I’ve been committed and I’ve worked really hard. I really do
put a lot of work into it so I just like to believe that God saw my effort and
thought that it was time to reward me and I’m really grateful for that.
I think I need to give the first testimony to hard work. Since I started
hosting TV shows, I’ve been committed and I’ve worked really hard. I really do
put a lot of work into it so I just like to believe that God saw my effort and
thought that it was time to reward me and I’m really grateful for that.
How Big
Brother Amplified Changed Her Life
Let’s talk about your
journey to fame. What were you doing before you got into the Big Brother
Amplified House?
My journey started when I was 15. I was involved in a short film in Zimbabwe.
They needed a young girl to play the role of a young maid and when I auditioned
for it, they thought I was good for the role. From there I became involved with
Zimbabwe’s biggest soapie called Studio 263. That is really where my journey
with entertainment began.
Brother Amplified Changed Her Life
Let’s talk about your
journey to fame. What were you doing before you got into the Big Brother
Amplified House?
My journey started when I was 15. I was involved in a short film in Zimbabwe.
They needed a young girl to play the role of a young maid and when I auditioned
for it, they thought I was good for the role. From there I became involved with
Zimbabwe’s biggest soapie called Studio 263. That is really where my journey
with entertainment began.
Do recall your time in the Big Brother Amplified House and tell
me about your experience.
It was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever been through. It teaches
you the power of the mind because I think we’re often reckless with our mind
and with our mouth in our everyday life. But when you are in that house where
everything you say or do is being monitored, it teaches you so much discipline
but also a lot of respect. Sometimes we say things, even under our breath, but
we don’t realize how powerful the words are. It taught me a lot about myself as
well, my strengths and my weaknesses but it also gave me more drive and
inspired me.
me about your experience.
It was one of the most difficult experiences I’ve ever been through. It teaches
you the power of the mind because I think we’re often reckless with our mind
and with our mouth in our everyday life. But when you are in that house where
everything you say or do is being monitored, it teaches you so much discipline
but also a lot of respect. Sometimes we say things, even under our breath, but
we don’t realize how powerful the words are. It taught me a lot about myself as
well, my strengths and my weaknesses but it also gave me more drive and
inspired me.
While you were in the House, your character was tagged as
snobbish and arrogant by some viewers. Why do you think you were perceived this
way?
As viewers, it’s impossible for you to see me from the moment I wake up till
when I go to sleep so remember that there were certain moments that were
captured and maybe they were moments that will be misunderstood. The other
thing about my personality is I’m often very reserved until I feel free and
comfortable so in my own way I’m a very shy person. In BBA Amplified, it was loud
and crazy and sometimes when you’re not being loud and crazy, you can be
misunderstood for being snobbish when to be honest you’re just feeling insecure
at the time. It’s also difficult to voice out your insecurity because the
moment your housemates know that, they will use it against you. But I never
thought of myself as better than anyone else in the house, I simply expressed a
lot of my frustrations and I can understand how that could have come across as
snobbish or arrogant. But I never intended to hurt anyone.
snobbish and arrogant by some viewers. Why do you think you were perceived this
way?
As viewers, it’s impossible for you to see me from the moment I wake up till
when I go to sleep so remember that there were certain moments that were
captured and maybe they were moments that will be misunderstood. The other
thing about my personality is I’m often very reserved until I feel free and
comfortable so in my own way I’m a very shy person. In BBA Amplified, it was loud
and crazy and sometimes when you’re not being loud and crazy, you can be
misunderstood for being snobbish when to be honest you’re just feeling insecure
at the time. It’s also difficult to voice out your insecurity because the
moment your housemates know that, they will use it against you. But I never
thought of myself as better than anyone else in the house, I simply expressed a
lot of my frustrations and I can understand how that could have come across as
snobbish or arrogant. But I never intended to hurt anyone.
You’re in
Nigeria now and someone whom you had a lot of friction with in the House was
the Nigerian representative, Karen Igho. You seemed to rub off on each other in
the wrong way. Why was this so?
Karen has got a very strong personality and in my own way, I do as well. We
didn’t have the time to understand each other and it was completely the wrong
environment to understand people because as much as you want to love someone,
you’re also thinking “oh, we’re competing for the money”. We were stuck in the
house for so many days and at some point you’re bound to argue. I could have
argued with anyone but I think I was at my peak of frustration and
unfortunately that person was Karen at the time.
Nigeria now and someone whom you had a lot of friction with in the House was
the Nigerian representative, Karen Igho. You seemed to rub off on each other in
the wrong way. Why was this so?
Karen has got a very strong personality and in my own way, I do as well. We
didn’t have the time to understand each other and it was completely the wrong
environment to understand people because as much as you want to love someone,
you’re also thinking “oh, we’re competing for the money”. We were stuck in the
house for so many days and at some point you’re bound to argue. I could have
argued with anyone but I think I was at my peak of frustration and
unfortunately that person was Karen at the time.
How has the relationship between both of you been since you left
the house?
I actually get along with her outside the house. I understand her and I can
take time out and see where she is coming from. I’ve also learnt a lot from
her. She’s a go-getter and I like that fact about her. I’ve taken the positive
and I’m just gonna appreciate the positive about her.
the house?
I actually get along with her outside the house. I understand her and I can
take time out and see where she is coming from. I’ve also learnt a lot from
her. She’s a go-getter and I like that fact about her. I’ve taken the positive
and I’m just gonna appreciate the positive about her.
Last year, there were rumours that Karen refused to participate
in a photo shoot with you and you released a statement concerning that. What
really happened then?
This time last year, there was a designer in Abuja, ‘Miss Dee’ who wanted me to
be on the cover of her magazine with Karen and the rumour was that Karen had
refused to share a cover with me. She apparently had said that she couldn’t
work on the same set with me and because of that we didn’t do the shoot. It
blew out of proportion but when I spoke to her, she said she never said that
but she just hadn’t been available for the shoot. I guess there must have been
a communication breakdown somewhere. Someone must have been malicious and tried
to stir something up but it wasn’t really a big deal.
in a photo shoot with you and you released a statement concerning that. What
really happened then?
This time last year, there was a designer in Abuja, ‘Miss Dee’ who wanted me to
be on the cover of her magazine with Karen and the rumour was that Karen had
refused to share a cover with me. She apparently had said that she couldn’t
work on the same set with me and because of that we didn’t do the shoot. It
blew out of proportion but when I spoke to her, she said she never said that
but she just hadn’t been available for the shoot. I guess there must have been
a communication breakdown somewhere. Someone must have been malicious and tried
to stir something up but it wasn’t really a big deal.
Participating
in Big Brother Amplified must have opened doors to bigger deals for you. Tell
me about some of them.
Just after I came out of the house, I was presented with so many options but I
couldn’t choose any one. I came out of the house in August and it took me till
December to say to myself “OK, get serious and make a decision”. I was in
Zimbabwe then but in January, I moved to Johannesburg and I guess I was chosen
by destiny because I happened to bump into the people who were doing auditions
for StarGist. I went for the auditions and got the job.
in Big Brother Amplified must have opened doors to bigger deals for you. Tell
me about some of them.
Just after I came out of the house, I was presented with so many options but I
couldn’t choose any one. I came out of the house in August and it took me till
December to say to myself “OK, get serious and make a decision”. I was in
Zimbabwe then but in January, I moved to Johannesburg and I guess I was chosen
by destiny because I happened to bump into the people who were doing auditions
for StarGist. I went for the auditions and got the job.
I hear you’ve also gotten back into acting, and this time in
Nollywood.
Yes, I have had time to shoot a movie by Chioma Opara. It’s got Denrele Edun
and also Barbz and Luclay who were in Big Brother.
Nollywood.
Yes, I have had time to shoot a movie by Chioma Opara. It’s got Denrele Edun
and also Barbz and Luclay who were in Big Brother.
Where was the movie shot and what was your experience like on
the movie set?
It was shot in Lagos and South Africa but all my scenes were in South Africa.
It was more difficult than I thought it would be because I kept wanting to
present all my lines but I couldn’t because my character was a shy and quiet
girl. It was a bit difficult getting into the character but once we got into
the flow it was fun.
the movie set?
It was shot in Lagos and South Africa but all my scenes were in South Africa.
It was more difficult than I thought it would be because I kept wanting to
present all my lines but I couldn’t because my character was a shy and quiet
girl. It was a bit difficult getting into the character but once we got into
the flow it was fun.
Growing Up, African Entertainment, StarGist & More!
Tell me more about
yourself, your growing up and educational background.
I was born in Zimbabwe but when I was two years old, my family moved to
Yugoslavia in East Europe. Because it’s not an English speaking country, at
some point I had to go to the UK to start High School and later, my parents got
tired and left Yugoslavia to move back to Zimbabwe. This was when I was 14 so
my parents took me out of High School in the UK and we all went back to
Zimbabwe. I later studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University
of Cape Town.
Tell me more about
yourself, your growing up and educational background.
I was born in Zimbabwe but when I was two years old, my family moved to
Yugoslavia in East Europe. Because it’s not an English speaking country, at
some point I had to go to the UK to start High School and later, my parents got
tired and left Yugoslavia to move back to Zimbabwe. This was when I was 14 so
my parents took me out of High School in the UK and we all went back to
Zimbabwe. I later studied Politics, Philosophy and Economics at the University
of Cape Town.
African
entertainment has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade. In
relation to your country, what is the Zimbabwean entertainment scene like now?
Zimbabwe has gone through a lot of economic difficulties over the past few years
so entertainment stopped being a priority because a lot of people were focusing
on bread and butter issues. It’s only recently that there is new life being
injected back into the industry. We haven’t made movies in a long time but
people are now going back into movie production. The music industry is booming,
there are a lot of great artistes now coming out. It’s still a journey. I guess
it’s up to people like me to give them some exposure so that the rest of the
continent can listen to our music. It’s still a very young industry and its
developing.
entertainment has experienced tremendous growth over the past decade. In
relation to your country, what is the Zimbabwean entertainment scene like now?
Zimbabwe has gone through a lot of economic difficulties over the past few years
so entertainment stopped being a priority because a lot of people were focusing
on bread and butter issues. It’s only recently that there is new life being
injected back into the industry. We haven’t made movies in a long time but
people are now going back into movie production. The music industry is booming,
there are a lot of great artistes now coming out. It’s still a journey. I guess
it’s up to people like me to give them some exposure so that the rest of the
continent can listen to our music. It’s still a very young industry and its
developing.
On a wider scale, what are your thoughts on African
entertainment?
African entertainment is not only the present but it’s the future after the
future. I’m so grateful to be part of a generation that has embraced our
identity in the way that we have. Africans are taking over. We are getting
there and I’m glad we are getting there by being ourselves. We are not
imitating anything, it’s just pure and authentic.
entertainment?
African entertainment is not only the present but it’s the future after the
future. I’m so grateful to be part of a generation that has embraced our
identity in the way that we have. Africans are taking over. We are getting
there and I’m glad we are getting there by being ourselves. We are not
imitating anything, it’s just pure and authentic.
Tell me about your TV Show StarGist.
StarGist is a daily entertainment news show. We dish on celebrity news, the
hottest events on the continent, celebrity profiles and we also profile some
prominent businesses on the continent. It’s really about the glamour and the
excitement that is happening on the continent on a daily basis. I co-host with
Lawrence.
StarGist is a daily entertainment news show. We dish on celebrity news, the
hottest events on the continent, celebrity profiles and we also profile some
prominent businesses on the continent. It’s really about the glamour and the
excitement that is happening on the continent on a daily basis. I co-host with
Lawrence.
I’m sure
there is more to you than TV presenting, acting and modeling. What are your
hobbies?
My hobby is music. I’m learning how to play the guitar now. Maybe one day when
I’m married and pregnant I would get serious in the studio but one thing a lot
of people don’t know about me is that I love to sing.
On a lighter note now, is
Vimbai dating anyone presently?
Not at the moment. I usually get absorbed in whatever I’m doing and I just
needed to give myself time to get good at it. StarGist was new to me and it
deserved 110% of my commitment. Now I’m kinda settling in so maybe I’ll start
dating. Maybe I”ll meet someone in Nigeria.
there is more to you than TV presenting, acting and modeling. What are your
hobbies?
My hobby is music. I’m learning how to play the guitar now. Maybe one day when
I’m married and pregnant I would get serious in the studio but one thing a lot
of people don’t know about me is that I love to sing.
On a lighter note now, is
Vimbai dating anyone presently?
Not at the moment. I usually get absorbed in whatever I’m doing and I just
needed to give myself time to get good at it. StarGist was new to me and it
deserved 110% of my commitment. Now I’m kinda settling in so maybe I’ll start
dating. Maybe I”ll meet someone in Nigeria.
Just what I was thinking. You’ve lived and studied in different
countries and you’re familiar with different cultures. Do you see yourself
settling down with a Nigerian?
I do. Nigerian men are traditional African men but they are very exposed to the
world and I like that. It’s a good mix.
countries and you’re familiar with different cultures. Do you see yourself
settling down with a Nigerian?
I do. Nigerian men are traditional African men but they are very exposed to the
world and I like that. It’s a good mix.
What is the most important advice you’ve ever been given?
To know honour, you must know humility, to know success, you must know failure,
and to know blessing you must know poverty.
Those are strong words. Who
told you this?
Pastor T.B Joshua.
To know honour, you must know humility, to know success, you must know failure,
and to know blessing you must know poverty.
Those are strong words. Who
told you this?
Pastor T.B Joshua.
How did you
meet him?
I met T.B Joshua at a time in my life when there was nothing happening for me
and he gave me life changing advice. He’s been a mentor, he’s always been there
for me, he’s always available to pray for me, to listen to me. Sometimes there
are some issues that are difficult for us to share with our parents but he’s
always been there to listen. He’s been there for my entire family in time of
need. He’s a practical and genuine person and he’s never led me astray.
Was this in Zimbabwe or
Nigeria?
Here in Lagos, Nigeria. I had a crisis, I was going through a lot and my Mum
was watching Emmanuel TV in Zimbabwe and said to me “you know what, you’ve got
nothing to lose, why don’t you just go to this place”. So I applied online and
I came to Lagos. I was in the Church for one week and it was a week that
changed my life. In fact this happened a month before I went into the Big
Brother House.
meet him?
I met T.B Joshua at a time in my life when there was nothing happening for me
and he gave me life changing advice. He’s been a mentor, he’s always been there
for me, he’s always available to pray for me, to listen to me. Sometimes there
are some issues that are difficult for us to share with our parents but he’s
always been there to listen. He’s been there for my entire family in time of
need. He’s a practical and genuine person and he’s never led me astray.
Was this in Zimbabwe or
Nigeria?
Here in Lagos, Nigeria. I had a crisis, I was going through a lot and my Mum
was watching Emmanuel TV in Zimbabwe and said to me “you know what, you’ve got
nothing to lose, why don’t you just go to this place”. So I applied online and
I came to Lagos. I was in the Church for one week and it was a week that
changed my life. In fact this happened a month before I went into the Big
Brother House.
How do you keep in touch with someone who has touched your life
this way?
He doesn’t have a branch in South Africa so I’m a member of Redeemed Christian
Church of God there and then when I have the opportunity to travel to Lagos,
I’d come or I’d just watch Emmanuel TV at home.
this way?
He doesn’t have a branch in South Africa so I’m a member of Redeemed Christian
Church of God there and then when I have the opportunity to travel to Lagos,
I’d come or I’d just watch Emmanuel TV at home.
Lots of Africans are looking forward to the first edition of the
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. What is it going to be like?
It’s going to be a fresh show with a difference. This is the first time this
Award is happening so we need to set the standard very high. There are going to
be some exciting surprises so I’d ask people to tune in at the beginning of the
show and we’ve prepared something interesting for everyone at home which has a
touch of humour. It’s gonna be glamorous.
Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards. What is it going to be like?
It’s going to be a fresh show with a difference. This is the first time this
Award is happening so we need to set the standard very high. There are going to
be some exciting surprises so I’d ask people to tune in at the beginning of the
show and we’ve prepared something interesting for everyone at home which has a
touch of humour. It’s gonna be glamorous.
And what should we be expecting from you as the co-host of the
Awards?
I love fashion so there’s going to be lots of fashion from me. I’d be styled by
a Zimbabwean designer True Blossom and Nigeria’s House of Nwocha. That is exciting for me because
I love fashion. On the continent, we don’t really get to have much places where
we can wear ball gowns so I’m gonna change like four or five times throughout
the night.
On the top of your list,
who are you expecting to cart away some awards?
I am really looking out for Genevieve Nnaji. She is an icon in the industry and
because this is the first edition of the Awards, I feel this year should be the
year for the icons. Let’s reward these people who have gone a long time without
really been celebrated and then next year we can look at the upcoming ones.
She’s come such a long way.
Awards?
I love fashion so there’s going to be lots of fashion from me. I’d be styled by
a Zimbabwean designer True Blossom and Nigeria’s House of Nwocha. That is exciting for me because
I love fashion. On the continent, we don’t really get to have much places where
we can wear ball gowns so I’m gonna change like four or five times throughout
the night.
On the top of your list,
who are you expecting to cart away some awards?
I am really looking out for Genevieve Nnaji. She is an icon in the industry and
because this is the first edition of the Awards, I feel this year should be the
year for the icons. Let’s reward these people who have gone a long time without
really been celebrated and then next year we can look at the upcoming ones.
She’s come such a long way.
Credit: Bella Naija
