Minnie Kariuki is a former TV host and actress. She has been in the entertainment industry for over a decade and has been featured in some of Kenya’s popular TV series. In February 2023, she made headlines when she was cast in the Showmax show Real Housewives of Nairobi.
Here is her story as told by WoK.
Background and Education
The former Tabasamu actress was born on 1st June 1990 and raised in Kariobangi area of Nairobi. Her father worked in the construction industry.
After attending Nairobi Primary School, she went to a private school in Athi River called Danana. She later went to the University of Nairobi.
Acting Career
Before fully immersing herself in the world of acting, she used to host a youth agricultural show on Kenya Broadcasting Corporation.
Minnie played the role Wivina in the Citizen TV show Tabasamu
She was later on cast as Maria in the show Single Kiasi where she portrayed a slay queen who enjoyed the high life and dating sponsors.
Speaking on Maisha Magic ‘‘Maisha Mapenzi’, the actress drew lines between the role she plays on TV and who she really is.
“My craft is that I am an actor and that is what I do for a living. You can only inspire people, your fans and even the younger upcoming artists through your success,” she said.
She went on to add,
“My role on the show Single Kiasi and who I am as a person are very different. I have had to deal with some very painful and deep experiences in my past life to be able to play the roles that I have featured on. “
Taking the role of a slay queen and perfectly on the role took her three weeks of preparation,
“It took about three weeks to get ready for it mentally. Every time I saw the call sheet while on set, I’d ask the director to push back those scenes because I needed to find the right energy to be in character for that.”
“If the viewers think that I’m perfect for this role and there’s any opportunity to capture it on the screen, then I’m not afraid of taking it up. I will push the boundaries for myself, and I know I go hard on such roles, so why not?”
Marriage
She married Charles Muigai, famously known as Lugz Kenya, who is Jaguar’s former manager. They had their traditional wedding on 11, December 2021. The two met while she was working at KBC but reconnected later. They are blessed with two children.
Beef with Michelle Ntalami
It is reported that the actress and Marini naturals founder started having issues after the latter attended an event hosted by Susan Kaittany.
The rest of the cast of Real HouseWives of Nairobi were in attendance and Ntalami started a conversation. However, Minnie said did not know her.
Later, Michelle said Minnie had started bullying her once the show was launched with malicious words being used against her on the show, radio, TV and social media.
Michelle later filed a suit against her, M-Net, Young Rich Television Ltd, and D&R Studio Limited for alleged defamation and use of her voice and image.
