World
Elsa Majimbo: Is Winning Over A Global Audience
Elsa Majimbo: A Kenyan social media celebrity, is one of the brightest stars to emerge from 2020.
You’ve probably seen Majimbo being interviewed by Anderson Cooper or heard her voice on TikTok or Instagram Reels if you haven’t seen her ubiquitous Instagram videos.
Which generally feature tight closeups of Majimbo wearing her Matrix-style tiny sunglasses and always accentuate her contagious laugh. (Many content creators’ social media posts have become accompanied by Majimbo’s now-signature quotes.)
Elsa Majimbo is 19-year-old celebrity
Majimbo’s humorous videos have brought joy to millions around the world in a year marked by anxiety and uncertainty — and they continue to do so.
The 19-year-old celebrity is proving that when it comes to fame, there are no boundaries or borders, with 1.3 million Instagram followers (and an engaged online community that is only growing), and partnership deals with the likes of Fenty and MAC.
Majimbo’s international success is also proof that surprising fans on a regular basis pays off. The beauty, like Beth Harmon’s stealth chess player in Netflix’s The Queen’s Gambit, is that no one sees her coming.
Elsa Majimbo just released “Snack Queen,” an ASMR-style song produced by Cautious Clay, to coincide with Thanksgiving in the United States. It’s also a social media ode to Majimbo’s distinctive eating habit – after all, has there ever been an ASMR trap song about snacks? That’s right, there is now.
So, who is the Internet’s favourite comedian, according to his Instagram bio, who is a “15-time chess champion and professional bragger”? (Warning: only one of these claims is correct.)
Majimbo, who was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya, was studying journalism when the pandemic struck in March (she had approximately 7K followers back then).
During lockdown at home, the adolescent with natural comedic flair and timing started making short Instagram video clips from her bedroom. Boredom can develop into lovely beginnings, as fate would have it.
The videos went viral, especially on TikTok and Instagram’s recent feature, Reels, where individuals used Elsa Majimbo’s characteristic voice and laugh, as well as her witty taglines, to upload themselves.
Majimbo’s popularity skyrocketed, as did her penchant for potato chips and binge-watching Netflix shows.
Elsa Majimbo has declared 2020 to be the year of Netflix and thrills
Majimbo’s satirical style of comedy (which is underlined by her lo-fi video technique) has struck a chord with a global audience in desperate need of laughter and hope in otherwise bleak times. Majimbo has become a breakout sensation with a positive impact by diving into her voice and relatable content.
“At first, I made my videos to make myself happy. I’d make these and thought to myself, “I’m so funny!” Majimbo says, “I used to watch the vids and just chuckle!” “It doesn’t matter to me whether or not other people find them amusing. It turns out that the videos have provided joy to others, and I’m grateful for that.”
The most popular is Majimbo’s lockdown-themed Instagram video, which includes the now-famous “I want you to come over, but it’s a pandemic” line.
Majimbo satirically taped herself seeking for her humility in a huge handbag (a dig to her “professional bragger” title) after being nominated for the E! People’s Choice Awards in the African Social Star category – she ended up winning the prize.
Majimbo is also an accomplished chess player, having won the title of 15-time chess champion. Despite the fact that it is written explicitly in her Instagram biography, no one believes she is serious.
When you take a closer look at Majimbo’s quick and smart method, it’s evident that she runs her firm as deftly as a chess player.
Elsa Majimbo actions are deliberate
Calculated, and well-planned, just like a chess master’s. When it comes to planning her next move, she is always a step ahead.
“Never count anyone out,” is a key theme in The Queen’s Gambit, and this is especially true for Majimbo, who is proving that success can be accomplished despite sexism, colorism, and inadequate resources in her native Kenya.
Brands were clamouring to partner with Majimbo when her star began to rise early this summer. The truth is, Majimbo prefers to play the long game and rely on her senses, just as in chess.
Majimbo shares, “I definitely tend to always go with my gut and follow my intuition.” If my instinct tells me to do something and I reply, “Oh no, let me just try it,” it always goes wrong.
My gut is like a guardian angel, always guiding me in the right direction. Chess is an intuitive game since you never know what your opponent will do next, so you must make your own decisions based on instinct. “I always go with my gut.”
This is why Majimbo has the “audacity” (a word she uses humorously in her videos) to turn down certain brand deals by thinking about and focusing on the long game.
She is unabashedly investing on herself and strategically protecting her intellectual property and brand equity. (An important business lesson for today’s creatives.)
“It’s all about the long game when you’re playing chess.” And if your opponent is as astute as you are, you must be astute in all you do.
Even if the brand or corporation approaching you makes it appear as though it’s something you need or want, that’s when the end game begins, according to Majimbo.
Elsa Majimbo has been selective when it comes to the merch agreements, alliances, and ambassadorship options provided to her, having already worked with brands like Fenty and MAC.
It’s another indication that she’s putting her money where her mouth is and focusing on long-term brand equity rather than instant gains.
“It’s a lot of money, but I know there will be better possibilities down the road, so I’d rather wait than take what’s available now.” As a result, I’m considering the long term. It does, however, necessitate patience and hard work, as well as consistency and self-confidence.”
Consistency, a crucial tool for great chess players, is another weapon in Elsa Majimbo’s arsenal. When she posts videos on Instagram, she does a lot of A/B testing and measuring different segments of her content based on engagement. To put it another way, nothing happens at random.
“I believe that being constant helps my mind run and all of my ideas flow.” It keeps me occupied and happy. When you’re consistent and you finally achieve your goal, you understand that nothing is built overnight and you learn to build your empire one brick at a time.”
While Instagram’s algorithm can be difficult for content creators, Majimbo claims that the “Explore” page helped her videos and content gain traction by exposing them frequently “the Explore page really ‘got me,'” she says.
“Right now, I’m concentrating on all of my platforms.” Seeing to it that they all prosper. I’m constantly polishing my work, and I’ve been doing so till now, and I’ve just tried to develop a team around me that I can trust — I got rid of all the negative individuals, and I got rid of all the people that just arrived with extremely awful feelings.”
Her journalistic abilities were recently put to use as the host of her newly launched IGTV series, Bedtime With Elsa (her first guests include musician Jorja Smith and comedian and talk-show host Lilly Singh). In the New Year, she will also launch a podcast.
Majimbo may make fun of her work ethic in her Instagram videos (with her ubiquitous remark “Everyday slaving, everyday effort”), but she is the last one standing.
“I think it’s the fact that others told me I couldn’t do it that motivates me so much.” They say I can’t do certain things because I’m dark-skinned or African, and I’m like, yeah, we’ll see about that — and I just go after everything headlong.”
Isn’t that the slogan she lives by? “Opportunity favours the courageous, and chance favours the prepared thinker.” Because I have this opportunity, many people would say it’s luck, but I believe the line between luck and opportunity is quite thin.
I’m sure there are a lot of people that say things like, “Oh, you know, I’m famous now, I’m untouchable.” You must always know where your head is at all times, and I believe you must also conduct yourself with some humility.
Being in this situation should humble you; strangers go out of their way to help you, and you should be grateful.”
Another link to The Queen’s Gambit is the importance of encircling herself with the proper people. Behind the scenes, Majimbo’s manager, Mo Kheir, assists in the planning of the manoeuvres.
Kheir, a former architect who now works as a brand developer, is also the host of the podcast Turning Point and the author of Alien Of Extraordinary Ability.
Spoiler alert: while Beth Harmon in the Netflix series was a natural wonder, her support system and people in her close circle had a huge role in her success.
Majimbo talks about being a “professional bragger” who binges on bad food, but in reality, she’s modest and swears by eating nutritious foods – hydration is important to her!
“I like junk food, but I don’t consume it as much as I make it out to be!” I also advise folks to avoid working. Guys, I’m telling you, don’t work; work isn’t designed for you; just relax! I also work a lot. I put in a lot of effort for what I want, what I’ve
Accomplished, and the life I want to live. As a result, I always feel like I’m deceiving people — but we laugh about it. They laugh as much as I do. As a result, everyone benefits.”
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