Blessing Lungaho opens up about fame, misogyny and his transformation in Adam to Eve

Blessing Lungaho has become one of Kenya’s most compelling TV talents. A versatile actor who can effortlessly shift from heartthrob to villain to comic genius. Known for standout roles in Maria and Igiza, the three-time Kalasha nominee has spent years reinventing himself on screen.

Now, Lungaho pushes his craft further than ever in Showmax’s bold gender-swap dramedy Adam to Eve, where he plays three completely different characters — including a Nairobi playboy who wakes up trapped in a woman’s body after a mysterious curse.

From gaining 13 kilos to confronting deep-rooted gender biases, Lungaho’s transformation in Adam to Eve is one of his most daring challenges yet.

In this exclusive interview, the 37-year-old actor gets candid about fame, identity, misogyny, and stepping into stilettos for the role of a lifetime.

Blessing Lungaho (right) on the set of Adam to Eve

What was your first reaction when you learned you would be playing multiple roles in the show?

Blessing Lungaho: I auditioned alongside more than 400 people, so when they picked me, they didn’t sugarcoat anything. The producers told me flat-out this was going to be a difficult task.

When I read the script, my first real reaction was pure fear. I wasn’t just playing three different characters, but I was giving five unique performances. I genuinely didn’t know if I had that kind of range. I was insecure, terrified even. The first two days on set felt like I was drowning. Trust me, getting there was rough. I’ve never done anything like this before, and it pushed me in ways I didn’t know were possible.

How did you prepare to take up these demanding roles?

Blessing Lungaho: Honestly, I went full method. I binged Orphan Black—I needed the inspiration of Tatiana Maslany who played over 17 clones.

I even had to gain weight to convincingly play a pregnant woman in the show. I added about 13 kilos. No fancy diets, just me taking straight shots of olive oil. And once we were done shooting, I had to lose it all again.

What stereotype about Nairobi men do you think Adam portrays perfectly?

Blessing Lungaho: Detachment. The thing is, Adam isn’t a “bad boy.” He’s just living life the only way he knows how. In so many ways, he’s misunderstood.

You can only meet people at the level you have met yourself, and Adam has no sense of self, no internal anchor. So how can he give anyone else what he doesn’t have? He doesn’t love himself, so naturally, he has no love to offer anyone else.

Did the show change your perspective about women’s experiences?

Blessing Lungaho: Honestly, this performance didn’t just change how I see women; it changed how I see everything. I realized very quickly that the way I move through the world is completely different from how a woman experiences it. Even something as simple as saying, “I’m okay,” doesn’t mean the same thing.

Blessing Lungaho and Ellah Maina on the set of Adam to Eve

You studied accounting before acting. How has that shaped how you manage your career and brand today?

Blessing Lungaho: Performing has always been my thing; I have been on stage since I was five years old. Everything else, including accounting, was just… extra. I only studied accounting because I thought I needed a “real job.” I had no idea acting could ever become an actual career for me. Eventually, I dropped everything else to chase what I was truly meant to do.

How do you separate your real identity from the characters people associate you with?

Blessing Lungaho: True. Suddenly everyone has an opinion about who I am. But here’s the truth: I am not what I do. Once you learn to separate the two, everything becomes clearer. At the end of the day, I’m just my mother’s son. Blessing, the brand? That’s the version of me that shows up on screen. My real life is much quieter, much simpler.

What is your perspective on fame?

Blessing Lungaho: Fame is wild. Nobody prepares you for it, and half the time it feels downright weird. My mantra has always been simple: stay humble. I have seen people who were massive stars when I was growing up, and today, no one even recognizes them. That keeps me grounded. I know there will be a day when I’m no longer famous. And I really believe this too shall pass.

What message do you hope viewers take away from this story?

For me, Adam’s entire journey is about one thing. Finding himself. He learns through the hard way that everything starts with him. You can’t love anyone if you don’t love yourself. You can’t show up for someone else if you can’t even show up for you.

He realizes he doesn’t need validation or approval or someone to “complete” him. You don’t need to overcompensate or pretend to be more than you are. You’re okay exactly as you are.