Media personality Kim Jayde Robinson has opened up about the painful moment she lost out on two Content Creator Awards, revealing how the disappointment brought back memories of people who had made her feel she was not good enough.
The television presenter and entrepreneur was nominated for the Trendsetter Award and the Telkom Best Online Series Award for her show, Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde.
Although she walked away without a trophy, Jayde took to social media to share an emotional account of what happened after the ceremony, explaining how her best friend helped her see beyond the disappointment.
In a vulnerable message, she revealed that she had cried in his car after losing both awards, feeling embarrassed despite the years of hard work she had poured into building her dream.
“I was nominated for two Content Creator Awards, and I lost both. Afterwards, I was sitting in the car with my best friend, whom I’m so grateful was my plus-one, crying out of embarrassment and almost shame. It felt like all the people in my life who had always told me I wasn’t good enough, deserving or talented enough were staring back at me in that moment,” she said.
Robinson said her friend encouraged her to read the speech she had prepared for the occasion, reminding her that her journey deserved to be celebrated regardless of the outcome.
From a R10,000 dream to an international production
She also reflected on the remarkable growth of Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde, which she created six years ago with a budget of just R10,000.
What began as a three-day shoot in her sneaker closet, featuring friends and creatives who believed in her vision, has since grown into an ambitious production filmed across several cities and international locations.
Among those who featured in the early days were Zaid Osman, DBN Gogo, Blxckie, Lucasraps and the late Costa Titch.
“The latest season was produced over six months, with filming in New York, Los Angeles, Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town. The final production budget was more than R900,000. I produced, directed, cast, scripted and hosted the entire series, and, most importantly, financed it myself, without brands, sponsors or investors. It is possible. Hard as hell, but possible,” she said.
Jayde also highlighted the international recognition her work has received, including an official selection at the Diversity in Cannes Film Festival and the licensing of her original series to Bravo Africa on DStv, reaching audiences across 52 countries on the continent in multiple languages.
Despite the disappointment of missing out on the awards, she said her achievements reminded her that her dream was bigger than any trophy.
The media personality also thanked her followers and supporters for standing by her throughout her journey, congratulating the nominees and winners while acknowledging the importance of the awards in celebrating SA's content creation industry.
“It’s actually not about an award or a title. It’s about the fact that I literally get to wake up every single day and live my dream. I truly want to congratulate all the nominees and winners, and thank the Content Creator Awards for recognising us. This is our Super Bowl, our Grammys, our Oscars,” she said.
She ended her message by expressing gratitude to her community and reaffirming her belief in the power of African storytelling.
“Africa to the world.”
IOL