I've Been to Hell and Back - Mai TT

knowledge Muneri
Actress, comedienne, and entrepreneur Felistas "Mai TT" Murata says she now has an indomitable spirit that can carry her through any storm. She believes the digital creative space is "not for the faint-hearted" but for those bold enough to withstand trolls and critics.

Mai TT has made notable strides in breaking into Nollywood through the film 'Lost in the Ashes.' "I went to jail and came back, and now I'm still strong, hanging around with the big fish," she said. "I always dream big, and my fans should brace themselves for more exciting times."

In the industry, she notes, "if you don’t have haters, you haven’t started." Mai TT has faced ridicule, which has made her stronger. "To this day, I'm here doing what I enjoy and cherish the most."

She starred in a heavyweight West African cast in 'Lost in the Ashes,' and Mai TT says her journey proves that local creatives can conquer international screens. "I'm here because of hard work, yet some doubting Thomases are still questioning how I managed to succeed in such a big movie when they were used to seeing me perform skits on social media."

Mai TT claims she laid the foundation for content creation in Zimbabwe, making it popular on social media using just her phone. "It gained me a lot of followers as well as haters, but I knew both my haters and fans would wait for my skits and announcements."

With Nollywood as a stepping stone, Mai TT believes more opportunities will come her way. "With such a large population of 235 million people, what more can you ask for if you make a breakthrough in that market?" she said. "I've met some of the household names in the Nigerian film industry, and more opportunities are coming in the near future.". https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaJBte43bbV50PSJqU20

As her star rises, Mai TT acknowledges the journey hasn't been without challenges. She's close to sealing a major deal with Africa Magic and other leading channels across the continent. "When your work is being requested by some of the continent's biggest channels, that's enough endorsement that you're doing something big for your nation and yourself."

Mai TT is already working on another production, with over 100 pages of the script to finalize. She advises rising stars to stay grounded and maintain focus. "They need to stay focused and forget everything about their poor backgrounds and lack of resources. They should avoid living a lie and simply remain committed to their craft, even if it means ignoring haters."

Beyond comedy and acting, Mai TT is a musician, events manager, MC, and a formidable force in Zimbabwe's entertainment industry.