IF THERE IS ONE THING AMMA DO, IT IS TO HUSTLE ON THE SIDE- ZION KENTE

Zion Kente is one of the most exciting new talents in the country and after winning Best Actress East Africa at the RIMAs for her role in Dial M for Maya, the multi-talented actress sat down for a conversation on her career thus far.

When did you get into acting?

Professionally, I started towards the end of 2021 but I generally started acting when I was a kid. My first memory of acting was when I was around 3 or 4 years old.

How did you know it was your calling?

It is the one thing that has been consistent in my life. Music and acting have been the most consistent things in my life. For someone who changes their mind a lot as a creative on different mediums that interest us, those have been consistent. So I think at some point I realized that this must be it. Something within this avenue must be it.

What was the first acting project you worked on and your experience?

My first professional project was Kyaddala, a Ugandan series in season 2. I played a character called Aaliyah which was a supporting role. She was a complicated character but she was great. That was my first project and the experience was very exciting. I did not much about the film industry in Uganda, the mechanics, and everything. It was beyond my expectations of what  I imagined and I just couldn’t have been happier to have started from that avenue.

What are some of the challenges you’ve faced being an actress?

As great as it is, being a creative is difficult. Money, resources, and even projects are far between. Even with the scarcity of projects, there are funding issues and stuff like that. But I think we are getting there and people are starting to take us more seriously.

What are some of your side hustles since projects are so rare?

There is always a side hustle. If there is one thing amma do, it is to hustle on the side. At this point I don’t know what is my main hustle and what is my side hustle, it is just like, “GET THE BAG.” Whichever bag is bigger at that moment. But I am always an actor first.

What message do you have for aspiring actresses?

Shoot your shot. Just always shoot your shot cause you never know. Just yesterday I came from an audition, so you never know. You just have to keep shooting your shot. It is never too early nor too late.

Zion is currently working at NRG Radio on the NRG Circle every Monday to Thursday from 7:00pm-10:00pm.