Piece by: Maureen Waruinge

28 November 2022

• She signed a hefty contract for her role as a voice coach

• Her friend Achieng Abura called her informing her that the team behind TPF would call her.

Former Tusker Project Fame reality show judge Hellen Mtawali has opened up about how she landed the much-coveted role and what she was paid for it.

In an interview with Kenya diaspora, Hellen told that while working as a music teacher, more so gospel music she got the opportunity to join the Tusker Project Fame team.

Helen saw an advert about project fame South Africa coming to Kenya and musician Eric Wainaina encouraged her to give it a try by auditioning.

"The audition was next to Daystar, so I walked and did the interview"

She got a call the following day and was told she had been shortlisted.

Her friend Achieng Abura called her informing her that the team behind TPF would call her to give an offer.

"This time they want you to teach be sure to quote a price I said no problem"

She got a call later about her quote for vocal lessons. But it was so low that Achieng called back and gave her a clue about how much to quote.

"There are some people who are going to call you and when they call please give this amount. You can tell them Sh1.5 million,".

Hellen was so shocked by the amount as she never thought voice coaching could pay that well.

The quote was to teach 14 people for a month.

"In Daystar I have never quoted that much I asked Achieng are you crazy"

Achieng Abura responded;

"Yes but Akoth what is wrong with you? Akoth just quotes the amount and then wait "

But Hellen still hesitated telling Abura that she was being too ambitious.

"Mkikuyu alinifundisha wakati ikifika mambie bei yako ni gani, niambieni bei yenu anlafu tuweze kuskizana Na huyo mkikuyu lalinisaidia "

But finally, Hellen agreed and a contract was signed to begin the task ahead. Immediately adverts for TPF began and people raised a small problem with her.

A slight problem that arose from her deal was that she worked for a Christian organization and so accepting to be paid by EABL was tricky.

But her mum told her to ignore critics because music is her passion

"Nilikuwa na ka mkutano mwenyewe nikajiuliza eh I teach music and music is music anyway. I'm going to teach vocals. All I do is tell you how to create great vocals, you write the song. Aie poesa ni nini, na mimi ni nani and that is how i said yes I do"