Nic Wang'ondu's star is on the rise. His stint on Big Brother Amplified certainly prepared him for the fan-fare that comes with being a recognisable TV face.

We picked his brain about a few things, including Big Brother StarGame and this is what he had to say...

Life is beautiful for you right now with all the traveling you do and people you meet on Mashariki Mix. Tell us about some of the highlights you’ve experienced while working on the show.

I have had the pleasure of meeting some of Africa's hottest celebrities such as Lira, Eric Wainaina, Lush, Stella Mwangi, Jeff Koinange and Liquid Deep among others. Mashariki Mix has given me the opportunity to do what I love most, and that’s traveling, going to outdoor gigs such as South Africa's Cape Town Jazz Festival and Kenya's very own Blankets and Wine.

I get to interact with people on a daily basis and have really forced myself to become more outgoing. Presenting a Pan African show is a dream come true and has created numerous opportunities for me.

Is there still a favourite spot in Kenya that you return to which makes you feel like you’re home?

I spend quite a bit of time traveling whilst shooting Mashariki Mix and Travel Diaries (A travel show I co-host with Kenyan TV Presenter Eve D'souza). So when I get some quiet time, I spend it in the confines of my home. I like to get a bunch of DVDs and just pass time watching some good movies. I have made it my little sanctuary.

As a previous Big Brother Housemate, what’s it like on the outside looking in?

It is quite interesting to see it after being a housemate because you know what these people are going through.

There is only a select few who know what it is to live in that house and the emotional roller coaster one experiences. It’s quite interesting to notice a few familiar personalities, some that are nice and some that are not so nice.



Four weeks into the new season of Big Brother Africa, how does it differ from what you went through when you got into the House?

There is not much of a difference. People's personalities start changing after the alcohol runs out. You see different sides to people.

For instance, those who are reserved individuals, slowly start to become more noticeable in discussions and tasks. You are very aware of everything you say. You have to remember that you can't just have a normal conversation, you have to be aware that what you say may offend someone or may conflict with their beliefs.

Prezzo is proving to be as controversial as initially predicted, how do Kenyan’s feel about their celeb?

Kenyan's know how Prezzo acts and his contoversy does not come as a shock to most people. Whether he is doing it for the camera or just being himself, only time will tell. People's true colors will eventually come out.

If you had to choose between Prezzo and the students, Alex and Malonza, who would get your vote? Do you have any advice for the young guys?

I would choose the twins. They are nice guys and seem to have a good rapport with the housemates. They would also need the money more than Prezzo. He is already known as one of Kenya's top artistes and will have a big boost in his career after Big Brother.

Do you reckon your stint in the Big Brother House would have lasted longer if you’d had a partner? Who would you have persuaded to be your Big Brother buddy?

Big Brother Amplified was slightly similar to Stargame. Millicent and I were technically partners. I knew she was there and she knew I was there. If you were in the heads house and were evicted, chances were that you came to the tails house which is similar to the Downville/Upville situation.

If I had to choose a partner, I would have probably taken my brother. We are both outgoing and good at bouncing stuff off each other. We would have made a good entertaining duo.

Did your Big Brother experience pave the way for what you’re doing today?

Big Brother certainly played a big role in getting me where I am today. It gave M-Net the opportunity to get to know me and it gave my colleagues and industry members in Kenya the chance to see me as an entertainer.

Getting back to normal life was pretty hard but I had the support of my friends and work mates. It has given me the opportunities to work on shows like Mali, East Africa's first TV soap. I have been to so many beautiful places in Kenya with Mashariki Mix which was a result of being on Big Brother.

What’s happening in your love life?

I have been quite busy with work and have really not had a lot of time to settle down into a relationship. I think it would be unfair to any lady right now to get into something serious with my hectic life. I am open to finding someone, should cupid decide.

What else is happening in your life that you’re looking forward to?

I can't really talk about it, but all I can say is that it will be quite an interesting side of Nic Wang'ondu not many people know about. Hopefully, I will get the opportunity to entertain Africa again.

If you want to see more of Nic, tune into Mashariki Mix on Tuesdays at 21:00 CAT on AfricaMagic Entertainment.