- Actress Shirleen Wangari, who played Shish on Tahidi High, disclosed her first acting pay cheque during a rapid-fire Mpasho interview
- The actress revealed she landed her first TV role at 18, with the show marking the beginning of her professional career
- Shish also opened up about her new role in an upcoming TV series called Chama, set to air on GOtv and DSTV
Former Tahidi High actress Shirleen Wangari, best known for playing the character Shish, has revealed she was earning KSh 3,000 per episode when she first broke into television.
The revelation came during a lively rapid-fire interview with Mpasho on TikTok, filmed in front of a branded step-and-repeat banner, where Shirley fielded a string of personal and career questions with good humour and refreshing candour.
Tahidi High's Shish's first steps in acting
Asked about her first job, Shish pointed straight to acting, recalling that she was around 18 years old when she joined Tahidi High.
"I think it was acting. Yeah, acting at Tahidi High. So I think I was 18 at the time," she said, adding that the pay at the time was modest at best. "Well, that was I remember it was 3,000 per episode."
The figure is striking given how beloved the show was, and it echoes a pattern that has emerged in recent years, with several cast members from the iconic series coming forward to speak about the financial struggles they faced despite their on-screen popularity.
The show remains one of the most recognised productions in Kenyan television history.
Shish also shared other personal details during the interview, revealing she grew up across multiple countries, including Uganda and South Africa, before eventually settling in Karen, Nairobi.
She attended Merry Hill Girls, a national school, and later studied macroeconomics at university.
Shish lands new role in TV show
Beyond the nostalgia, Shish had exciting news to share. She is among the cast of a new television series called Chama, which began airing the day of the interview.
She plays a character named Phoebe, whom she described as secretive and socially awkward.
"Phoebe is a walking secret, full of secrets. She's trying to make friends, and it's quite difficult," she explained.
The show is available on GOtv, DSTV, and Maisha Magic for viewers looking to catch her latest work.
Shish also kept things light throughout the session, revealing that her closest confidant is her brother, whom she calls and texts the most.
When asked when she last cried, she pointed to an emotional scene on the set of Chama about a month before the interview.
Watch the full rapid-fire interview here:
Source: TUKO.co.ke