This archive report was first published on 23 August 2020.
On May 5, 2020, former Tusker Project Fame judge Ian Mbugua was a household name in Kenya, known for his blunt criticism of contestants on the popular TV reality show.
However, Mbugua's stint on the show was not without controversy. Many Kenyans perceived him as mean, particularly when he targeted his compatriots on the show.
Speaking in a past interview, Mbugua explained that the show's producers required conflict and drama to keep viewers entertained, which often led to him using harsh words to critique the contestants.
"It is reality. It is TV! I could use kinder words, but it would not be nice for television," Mbugua stated.
He further explained that his comments were meant to push the artists to work harder, as the music industry is tough and demanding.
However, not everyone on the show shared Mbugua's sentiments. Singer and entrepreneur Muthoni Drummer Queen, who was a contestant on the first season of TPF, has alluded to the show being scripted.
"Reality TV is fake. Shows like the Kardashians are engineered. When you enter the place (TPF Academy), they tell you its an academy but it wasn't, it was a marketing exercise," Muthoni stated in an interview on August 5, 2020.
