Entertainment powerhouse opens up about raising daughter alone, rejecting marriage pressure, and why she’d rather hustle than beg

At 43, entertainment industry guru Pierra Makena has spent nearly two decades building an empire on her own terms, and she doesn’t mince words when it comes to defending her unapologetic life choices.

The self-taught DJ and television actress, who has graced screens in popular shows like Tausi and Kisulisuli on KBC, Tahidi High, Kina and Disconnect over the past 15 years, recently made headlines with her latest venture into reality television.

Her upcoming appearance on The Mommy Club NBO has thrust her personal life back into the spotlight, but Makena remains characteristically unbothered by public scrutiny.

“I have a vision, and I stick to it,” Makena said in an exclusive interview. “If I believe in something, I go for it, no matter how tough it gets or what anyone thinks. If it serves me and it’s working for me, I’m all in. I’ve learned to be selfish with my beliefs – if someone else doesn’t get it, that’s their problem, not mine.”

This determination has defined her career trajectory since she broke into the male-dominated DJ scene in 2015 without formal training. Her journey began far from the entertainment world, however. Makena once dreamt of becoming a pediatrician, excelling in mathematics and biology during her academic years.

“I wanted to be a pediatrician – I even aced math and biology – but look where life took me,” she reflected. “Passion and talent can take you far when you follow them.”

Her transition to reality television marks another bold career move. After conquering film and television drama, Makena saw the genre as an untapped challenge rather than a departure from her artistic roots.

“Honestly, I’ve done it all in film and TV, but I’d never done a reality show,” she explained. “So, when the opportunity came up, I thought, ‘Why not?’ I love trying new things and this felt like the perfect challenge.”

The decision to appear on a show focused on motherhood carries particular weight for Makena, who has been raising her eight-year-old daughter Ricca as a single parent. The arrangement has drawn criticism from some quarters, but Makena remains steadfast in her approach to both parenting and career management.

“I’ve heard people say, ‘Oh, you’re exposing your child too young,’ but where were those opinions when we were struggling?” she said. “Now that my baby is thriving and earning for herself, suddenly everyone has something to say.”

Makena’s parenting philosophy combines fierce protectiveness with respect for her daughter’s individual interests and talents. She describes herself as perhaps overly cautious, admitting to being “that mom who panics when she climbs a table, rushing to stop her before she falls.” Yet she refuses to impose rigid academic expectations on Ricca.

“If she loves music, I’ll nurture that passion. I don’t push her into things she’s not interested in, like saying, ‘Study math!’ If she’s not good at it, that’s okay,” she said. “Not everyone needs to be a doctor or an engineer, especially in this digital era.”

Her approach to single motherhood extends beyond parenting decisions to encompass a broader philosophy of female independence. Makena has become increasingly vocal about her belief that women should not depend on men for financial security or validation.

“Believe in yourself, not in a man,” she stated bluntly. “You don’t need a man to do everything for you. Life doesn’t end if he’s not there. What if, God forbid, something happens to him? What will you do? You have to survive, no matter what.”

This philosophy has shaped her response to her own circumstances as a single mother. Rather than pursuing legal action for child support, Makena has chosen to focus on building her own income streams.

“As a single mom, it’s okay – you can do it. Stop relying on a man for everything. If he doesn’t want to provide, then do it yourself,” she said. “Personally, I can’t take a man to court to force him to provide. I’m not going to beg someone to take care of the child I carried and brought into this world.”

She continued, “If he won’t step up, that’s fine. There’s so much I can do on my own to provide for my child. I’d rather hustle than beg. You have got to be a survivor, no matter the situation.”

Makena’s stance on marriage reflects the same independent mindset that has guided her career and parenting decisions. Despite societal pressure to marry, particularly as she approaches her mid-forties, she remains firm in her conviction that marriage should be about finding the right partner rather than meeting external expectations.

“For me, marriage must be right. It’s not about society, my parents, or impressing the neighbors – I’ll never marry for pressure,” she explained. “If I wanted to get married at 19, I could have. But for me, it’s about finding the right person. I have had my share of relationships, and they haven’t been great, so I take commitment seriously.”

Her approach to relationships extends to her current contentment with single life. “I don’t want to tie myself to someone for life, only to end up in a mess I can’t escape. When the time is right, I’ll know. Until then, I’m happy. Honestly, I get everything a married person gets, so I’m totally unbothered about marriage.”

Despite her public persona as a confident entertainer, Makena reveals that she is naturally introverted, a trait that surprises many who encounter her professionally.

“People are always shocked when I tell them I’m an introvert, probably because they see me DJing and assume I’m all about the spotlight,” she said. “Honestly, if I wasn’t a public figure, I wouldn’t even have social media.”

She also addressed persistent speculation about her daughter’s paternity, stating clearly that “my baby’s father was not a married man when we were dating.”

Looking ahead, Makena plans to reduce her DJ commitments to spend more time with family, though she continues to maintain ambitious personal goals. Her bucket list includes taking Ricca to Disney, visiting the Sound of Music film set in Austria, and experiencing a “proper random blind date” while touring abroad.

Her success story serves as a testament to the power of self-determination in an industry and society that often seeks to define women by their relationships rather than their achievements.

The Mommy Club NBO streams on Showmax with new episodes every Friday, offering viewers a glimpse into the life of a woman who has built her empire one bold decision at a time.