Vera Deserves a Spot on ‘Young, Famous & African’ – Zari

Zari Hassan believes Vera Sidika is the only Kenyan celebrity suited for the reality show Young, Famous & African.

During a Quick Fire segment with Mpasho’s Kalondu Musyimi, Zari responded to various questions, revealing some personal preferences. She admitted she doesn’t watch soccer, makes excellent pilau, and named Fantana as her least favorite cast member on the show. When asked which Kenyan should be featured on Young, Famous & African, she simply stated, “Vera.”

Zari, who previously worked as a secretary, visited Kenya in January 2025 for the Samsung Galaxy Unpacked Launch. In an exclusive interview with Mpasho, she described her experience filming Young, Famous & African Season 3 as both enjoyable and emotionally taxing.

Regarding her wedding, which aired on the show, Zari shared that it was exactly what she had envisioned—an intimate celebration with her loved ones, including her husband, children, sisters, father, and in-laws. However, she remained silent on how much Netflix paid for the rights, citing a non-disclosure agreement.

She expressed admiration for her favorite cast member, Kayleigh, while criticizing Fantana—who is dating her ex, Diamond—calling her “too dense” for ignoring relationship red flags.

In a conversation on her son’s YouTube channel, Zari revealed that she once worked as a housekeeper in the UK, doing laundry and cleaning homes to make ends meet. She also held late-night shifts in supermarkets, packing sandwiches and groceries.

“I’ve been working since I was 17. People assume I just live a glamorous life, but I’ve truly worked for it,” she said.

Despite her success, Zari has no regrets about her lavish spending, fame, or loss of privacy. However, she considers losing her ex-husband, Ivan Ssemwanga, and her mother as the most difficult moments of her life.