
Ajib Gathoni began her career as a dancer with a church crew in Mombasa. Today, she has gained popularity as a dancer, brand influencer, and content creator, particularly on TikTok.
She shot to fame in 2020 and transitioned into a paid dancer, but this success has also attracted criticism, a typical challenge for many public figures.
In a recent interview with the Cre8 podcast, Ajib discussed her approach to handling negative feedback. “If anyone can brush it off and has earned awards for that, it’s definitely me,” she said.
Ajib elaborated, “I wouldn’t give anyone the satisfaction of engaging with them because when you respond even a little, they think, ‘Oh, we can go back and forth.'”
She prefers to steer clear of conflict, stating, “I’m not really a confrontational person.” Her reasoning? “I’m afraid. I could confront, but I choose not to. It doesn’t make sense to me, so I just ignore it.”
She believes that, over time, individuals develop resilience, which is crucial in her profession.
“You really need it. Trust me, sometimes people target you based on your looks or other factors, but for me, it’s different. When someone criticizes something I’ve created, they’re criticizing my ideas. I try to overlook it, but I do take time to reflect.”
Ajib appreciates constructive criticism, as it aids her growth.
“If someone makes me doubt myself, I block them immediately. I don’t want that kind of energy around me.”
She has learned to remain calm in the face of cyberbullying, admitting that she used to react in a petty manner.
“I would endure a lot, and while it was somewhat entertaining, it was exhausting. It didn’t serve me any purpose. Now, I just respond in my mind.”
Ajib has since adopted a different perspective. “I prefer feedback on my content that includes solutions. People like that are worth engaging with in the comments, and I’ll conclude with a thank you. But if you come at me aggressively, that’s just plain mean.”