Kim Jayde Opens Up After Losing Two Awards

South African media personality Kim Jayde Robinson has revealed that she cried after losing two Content Creator Awards, saying the disappointment brought back painful memories of people who had made her question her talent and worth.

Emotional Moment After Awards

The television presenter and entrepreneur was nominated for the Trendsetter Award and the Telkom Best Online Series Award for her production, Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde. However, she left the ceremony without either trophy.

In a vulnerable social media message, Robinson described sitting in a car with her best friend after the event, overwhelmed by embarrassment and disappointment despite the years of work she had invested in her career.

She explained that losing both awards made her feel as though the people who had previously told her she was not good enough, deserving or talented were being proven right.

“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,” she said.

Robinson added that the experience brought back difficult memories and temporarily overshadowed her achievements.

Friend Helps Her Regain Perspective

Despite her disappointment, Robinson said her best friend helped her reconsider the significance of the moment. He encouraged her to read the speech she had prepared for the occasion, reminding her that her journey was worth celebrating regardless of whether she won.

The conversation helped her reflect on how far she had come and the effort required to build her production independently.

Her experience highlighted the emotional pressure that can accompany public recognition, particularly for creators who have invested years of personal effort and resources into their work.

From R10,000 to International Production

Robinson also reflected on the growth of Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde, which she launched six years ago with a budget of just R10,000.

The series began with a three-day shoot in her sneaker closet, bringing together friends and creatives who believed in her vision. Among those featured in its early days were Zaid Osman, DBN Gogo, Blxckie, Lucasraps and the late Costa Titch.

Since then, the production has expanded significantly, with its latest season filmed across New York, Los Angeles, Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town.

According to Robinson, the most recent season took six months to produce and had a final budget exceeding R900,000.

She said she personally produced, directed, cast, scripted and hosted the series, financing the project herself without brands, sponsors or investors.

“It is possible. Hard as hell, but possible,” she said, describing the experience of building the production independently.

International Recognition and African Storytelling

Beyond its growth in production, Kickin’ It with Kim Jayde has received international recognition. Robinson highlighted the series’ official selection at the Diversity in Cannes Film Festival and its licensing to Bravo Africa on DStv.

She said the licensing arrangement has allowed the show to reach audiences across 52 African countries in multiple languages, extending its reach beyond its original audience.

The achievements formed an important part of her reflection following the awards ceremony, reminding her that the value of her work could not be measured by a single night or the number of trophies she received.

Gratitude to Supporters

Despite missing out on both awards, Robinson congratulated the other nominees and winners and thanked the Content Creator Awards for recognising the country’s content creation industry.

She described the awards as an important platform for celebrating creators and their contributions to the entertainment landscape.

For Robinson, the experience ultimately reinforced her appreciation for the opportunity to pursue her ambitions and share African stories with wider audiences.

“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,” she said.

She ended her message by expressing gratitude to her supporters and reaffirming her belief in the global potential of African storytelling.

“Africa to the world.”