In the ever-evolving media industry, where countless young talents dream of making it big, only a few possess the resilience and determination to rise above the odds. One such name is Alex Thii Guy, an actor and TV host whose journey from the streets of Dandora, one of Nairobi’s toughest ghettos, to an award-winning career is nothing short of extraordinary.
Despite the challenges of growing up in an environment where opportunities in film and media seemed out of reach, Alex defied the odds, proving that passion and perseverance can turn dreams into reality. Well, today, he is the face of Rising Stars, a Younib TV show dedicated to bringing the spotlight to upcoming talent in Kenya’s film and music industry. His story is more than just one of success—it’s a beacon of hope for young creatives fighting to make their mark in the Kenyan industry
In this exclusive interview, Alex opens up about his struggles, triumphs, and his mission to inspire the next generation of media personalities.
The Journey to Stardom.
1. THE PERSONAL BACKGROUND.
Younib tv: What is your official and stage name?
Alex Thii Guy:
Younib TV: Tell us a little about your childhood and how it shaped your passion for acting and media?
Alex Thii Guy: Uuuhm, naeza sema nikiwa mdogo nilikua napenda sana kuona animation cartoon, mbaya sana. So ever ungenipata kwa cartons halafu nlkwa napenda kuchora mbaya!
Younib TV: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced while growing up in a humble background?
Alex Thii Guy: Mimi ni msee wa Dandora, so D ( Dandora), ni ghetto na unaelewa tu vnye life ya ghetto inakuanga, not so much amenities on the offing.
Younib TV: Who inspired or motivated you to pursue acting and the media industry?
Alex Thii Guy: Mimi ule msee naeza sema amenimotivate ni Ramsey Nouah, ju mimi nikiwa mdogo nilikua napenda sana kuwatch movie za kinigeria. so kila saa nilikuwa nawatch afrosinema hao wasee walkwa wananibamba,mbaya sana yaaniii saaaaanaaa tu sana! So nilikuwa natamani nikigrow up nikue kama hao majamaa ju they used to do a very good work.
2. CAREER JOURNEY.
Younib TV: How did your journey into acting and the media industry begin?
Alex Thii Guy: Ilianza kitambo nikiwa mtoto, nikiambiwa na my mum that confidence yangu ilikuwa a notch higher compared to the other kids. Mimi nilikuwa mtu angesimama mbele ya watu niongee na niwachekeshe bila kustuka na that time mimi ni kamtu kadogo. Because there was a time tukienda (PMC) Pontifical Missionary Childhood. l had my first acting experience, so it was during the birth of Jesus na nakumbuka mimi nilikua naact kama sheep. so you can imagine kazi yangu ilikuwa Yesu akizaliwa nalia “meeee” and at times “baaaaa” l was interchanging, and l remember watu walicheka sana ady mwalimu akaniambia “eeiy kijana na uko na talent!” and l was like niko na talent?mmmh okay!
Younib TV: What was the first role or project you worked on, and how did it impact your career?
Alex Thii Guy: The first project enye niliwork on ikaenda kwa Tv, ilikuwa show inaitwa “TARANDA” it used to air on “Kameme Tv” 
hiyo siwezi sahau every Wednesday 7:30pm. That was my first Tv show enye nilifanya and at that time i was still in highschool. so you can imagine wewe ni celeb na bado uko shule.But uuhm, it was amazing being on tv even though kulikuwa na pressure, you are on TV na bado wewe ni student.
Younib TV: Can you share a moment in your career that you consider a major breakthrough?
Alex Thii Guy: When it comes to breakthroughs, nimekuwa na mingi because nilienda pia hiyo audition ya TV show na nikapita, hiyo naeza sema ni breakthrough but pia naeza sema working on big projects zenye zimekuwa streamed on netflix na showmax imekua breakthrough , but it has been my greatest desire to get into a billboard and in 2024 that happened courtesy of cooperative bank and am telling you that was a major breakthrough for me
Another one is about adverts, i did my first adverts about citizen siwezi sahau because hiyo ndiyo ilifungua milango ya adverts, the advert was about viusasa and l was the main character, it was a breakthrough since the advert put me on the spotlight and a lot of people got to know me, it was such an amazing and experience.
Younib TV: What awards have you won, and what do they mean to you?
Alex Thii Guy: When i won my first award sikuwai fikiria nitawai ipata kwa life yangu. This is the TV Presenter of the year Award. Oh my this is something ady singewai kaa chini nifikirie nitakua nominated on leave alone to win it.
Hii award kuongea ukweli ilinipea nguvu ajab because it came at a time when i was facing a lot of challenges doing my show (#RISINGSTARS) But l think God had a reason as to why l was facing challenges during that period when l was doing my show kumbe there was something bigger coming. Little did l know God was preparing me for something big. And this award ilinifanya nikue natia bidii mbaya na nijue chenye nafanya kuna watu wengi wanaona huko njee.
Then the other award l scoped in 2024, is the Male Actor Of The Year, ooh let me tell you l have been dreaming of this award for so long and ilikam through and l can say it was not easy. All my awards have not been easy juu unaona ady hiyo ya TV Presenter tulikua tunashindana na watu wametoka hizi stations kubwa sana in the country but grace ya God na favor zikawa zinanimulika mimi tu. so i have been lucky enough kupata two awards TV Presenter of the year Award na Male Actor Of The Year.
3. HOSTING RISING STARS.
Younib TV: How did you land the role of hosting Rising Stars, and what does the show mean to you?
Alex Thii Guy: To be honest FR. Patrick has been my role model way back and this is that one person naweza sema amekuwa kama my mentor throughout and l remember the moment we started Younib TV it reached a place where we needed TV shows and programs, so FR. told me kijana uko na talent why don’t you try to host a show? and l was like yea, tunaweza leta show tunahost watu…..but then we didn’t have a name and then FR. came up with the name rising stars and l was like yea that’s a nice name. so, that’s how FR. Patrick alinipea that opportunity ya kujua l have a talent and deal with wasanii and am telling you it was amazing very amazing.
The show really means alot to me, and the fact that naeza kusaidia wasanii na that platform ya kushowcase their talent huwa inanifanya nafeel fty juu pia mimi ni msanii and i know what it means kwa msanii kupewa that platform kwa media it really means alot especially to the upcoming artists and to be honest huwa inafeel amazing wakati nasaidia watu, atleast to be part of someone’s success story it feels great aint gonna lie.
Younib TV: How do you ensure that the show continues to inspire upcoming talent in the media industry?
Alex Thii Guy: Unlike in other shows where they majorly focus on big artist who have made it in the industry mimi in (RISING STAR) Huwa si choose i take them all as they come ukue wewe ni msanii na ngoma moja l will still give you a platform to showcase what you have to the world. haijaalishi kwamba wewe ni boychild au girlchild, ile ya maana nikuwa unatalent na unataka kwenda far, and not only grown youths l also deal with young artist wenye wako at a very young age ady kama hawajafikisha 18yrs, i will still give them a platform so that kila mtu a feel anabelong kwa show, iwe mtot, an upcoming artist or an already established artist.
4. THE MEDIA INDUSTRY .
Younib TV: What do you think is the biggest challenge facing youths entering the media industry today?
Alex Thii Guy: l think naweza sema ni pressure ya kuwa star kesho, unapata mtu anadhani juu ameingia kwa industry ni automatic atajulikana, anatoa ngoma leo na anataka by kesho kila mtu anaijua na anaiimba, i think thats one of the biggest lies and mistake enye wasanii hujiambia na kufanya, and on the actors perspective unapata mtu anajiambia anataka kuomoka na ukweli ni aty if you are lead with money hii industry hutatoboa.
Younib TV: What advice would you give to young people who aspire to succeed in acting or media?
Alex Thii Guy: Pray! my friend pray, and pray and don’t forget to push yourself and this is the meaning of push ( Pray Until Something Happen ). Another thing is to trust in God and trust in the process. Lastly, go for auditions juu mimi ady na penye nimefika upto now l still go for auditions. Even the big stars we know such as Ramsey Nouah still go for auditions because hizi auditions are important since zinakusaidia kukusharpen pia kimawazo na kiakili.
juu leo unaweza ambiwa no, kesho no na the next day upate umeambiwa yes. so you have to put yourself out there for everyone to see you go to those auditions wakikukataa come the next day with more strength than yesterday.
5. VISION AND LEGACY.
Younib TV: What do you hope to achieve in your career in the next five years?
Alex Thii Guy: The truth is I cant wait to see what God has in store for me, that’s all l can say but am really hoping for big things wacha nisikue tu specific.
Younib TV: How do you want to be remembered in the media and entertainment industry?
Alex Thii Guy: l want to be remembered by the souls i would have touched or impacted positively.
Younib TV: What legacy do you hope to leave for the next generation of actors and media professionals?
Alex Thii GUY: l want to have a legacy of someone who helped others reach to their greatness.
6. FUN CORNER.
Younib TV: What do you most enjoy when acting and hosting?
Alex Thii Guy: Hehe! lets start with acting, and the fact that l seize being Alex and be someone else, its just fun and exhilarating. when it comes to hosting its something that just flows within since its something l like doing and some l get mentally drained when l don’t do the show. l just feel some satisfaction within me.
Younib TV: Who are your role models in the film or media industry, and why?
Alex Thii Guy: My first role model is Fr. Patrick, from way back that l can say without even blinking or thinking twice. But in the media industry it is Abel Mutua l like the fact that he is so humble despite the tremendous success and the big strides he made in the industry. l really look up to him sana.
Younib TV: What’s one fun fact about you that most people don’t know?
Alex Thii Guy: l know how to play football, like given a chance l can amaze a lot of people on the pitch.
Younib TV: Lastly, what are your parting shots and what advice would u give to the youths out there who are looking forward to make it like you or even more?
Alex Thii GUY: Pray, have discipline, believe in yourself this is because if you don’t believe in yourself who will believe in you? Another thing is how me your friends l tell you who you are. Mind you if you walk with seven millionaires there is a big chance and possibility of you being the 8th millionaire in the crew and if you walk with 3 thieves it is more likely you will be the fourth thief. So know your circle!
Let your circle be surrounded by people of quality, this is because sometimes you may think people are warming their hands to clap for you but in the real sense they are setting up their hands to slap. Be with people mwenye uko sure akimpigia simu saa nane ya usiku atakam through na aweze kukusaidia, bottom line know your friends.
Lastly, find yourself a group to walk with you and nurture you through the journey personally, i go to Younib Organization. its a good group enye imenisaidia sana, imenimentor sana. So having the group has really worked out wonders for me.
Younib TV: Thank you, for your time.
Alex Thii Guy: you are welcome.
