&w=64&q=75)
Coco, whose real name is Constance Kemigisha, shared with Ruth Kalibbala Bwanika about her upbringing, the influence of her father—renowned comedian Amooti Omubalanguzi—and the ups and downs of her social media journey.
A Life Shaped by Comedy
Coco credits much of her exposure and success to her father, Amooti, one of Uganda's top comedians. Growing up in a household filled with laughter and comedy, Coco often found herself in the spotlight.
"Being a daughter of a renowned comedian has been an amazing experience. I have gained a lot of exposure and so many opportunities because of him," she said.
Her involvement in her father's work began early, as Amooti would often take her to film sets for his show, Side Mirror.
"Whenever there were roles for a child, I would get those," Coco explained.
Check out: Coco, Winnie wa Mummy get Jason Derulo endorsement
Young and famous
At school, her classmates were fascinated by her celebrity connections, often asking her to bring her father on visitation days. She also charged them money and food to sing for her father’s songs and recite her skits.
However, Coco acknowledges that her rise to social media fame didn’t happen overnight.
"I was on TikTok for a long time, and no one knew who I was until I made a video with him," she shared.
Her father's guidance has also helped her navigate the tricky world of media. "He taught me how to handle media. He told me that media can build you, but it can also destroy you."
Challenges in the World of TikTok
While TikTok has been a platform for growth, Coco admits it comes with its challenges. She described Uganda’s TikTok scene as being "almost entirely fuelled by wars," referring to the toxic fan-driven conflicts between influencers.
She says there is there is no real beef between the influencers themselves, but that many of the fights are instigated by followers.
At one point, the negativity took a toll on her mental health.
"I became depressed because of the attacks. I lost so much weight," she revealed. Today, she has learned to manage the situation by blocking negative users and focusing on positivity.
One recurring issue Coco faces is false rumours about her age, particularly claims that she is much older than she appears.
"People claim I am very old, saying I was a flower girl at the Kabaka’s wedding; others say I was MC Kats’ classmate," she said, explaining that these claims stem from her appearances in her father's skits. "Now, I am used to it," she added, having grown accustomed to the misconceptions.
Misconceptions and Online Harassment
Another challenge Coco faces is the misperception that she is involved in inappropriate activities, particularly because some big influencers on TikTok allegedly use the platform to sell their bodies.
"I am mistaken to be one of them," she said,
“Men call me incessantly saying they were told I am one of those girls. They offer millions of shillings, and it is always shocking because I start to wonder what I posted that makes people think I am a prostitute.”
Despite these setbacks, Coco has managed to protect herself from emotional harm, particularly in relationships. She believes her awareness of men’s intentions has kept her from being hurt.
The Rewards of Social Media
While the challenges are real, Coco remains positive about the opportunities TikTok has provided her.
She admits to making a lot of money from the platform, which has also brought her numerous business clients and endorsements.
As a make-up artist by profession, she attributes much of her success to the visibility TikTok has given her.