Former Machachari actress Stella whose real name is Natasha Ngegie has opened up about a difficult part of her childhood that came before she became a familiar face on Kenyan television.
The actress revealed that she was beaten and humiliated at school because of her acting commitments,forcing her family to consider changing her school and at one point,even homeschooling.
Stella said the problems started in 2009,when she was still a young actress trying to balance school with filming.She attended two schools during that period, but teachers struggled to understand why she was regularly away on weekends.
Her acting work required her to attend filming sessions,while her schools expected students to take part in weekend activities.The clash made it difficult for Stella to keep up with the normal school routine.
According to her recollection,the situation became increasingly uncomfortable.She was sometimes questioned in front of other students and punished for missing school because of acting assignments.
The former child star recalled one particularly painful incident in which she was beaten badly before being sent away from school.Her mother later went to the institution to question the punishment and the treatment her daughter had received.
The family eventually decided that Stella needed a school that could better understand her circumstances as a young actress.She was transferred to another institution as her entertainment career continued to develop.
The move came at an important time because Machachari was gaining popularity.By 2010 the programme had become a major hit,turning Stella and other young cast members into familiar faces among Kenyan viewers.
Her mother later began receiving calls from Stella’s former school,which had previously struggled with her acting schedule.
The experience also left the family considering homeschooling because of the difficulties Stella faced while trying to pursue both education and entertainment.
Despite the painful treatment she experienced, Stella continued with her education and acting career.Her journey highlights the difficulties young performers can face when professional commitments do not fit easily into traditional school schedules.
Years later,her experience offers a different look at the journey behind her rise to fame on Machachari showing that her childhood success came after a period of considerable struggle at school.