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Zimbabwean-born online star sparks interest from Kim Kardashian, Nicki Minaj

Cape Town - We caught up with Zimbabwean-born social media sensation, Dylan Kardashian (born Dylan Musanhu), about getting regrammed by Nicki Minaj and how Iggy Azalea got his Instagram taken down.  

The rising social media star has a combined social media following of well over 200 000 and not only are our local celebs taking notice, international stars are taking note too.    

GROWING UP

Originally from Zimbabwe, Dylan Kardashian moved to South Africa, where his family lived for two years. About his time in SA, he says: "It was a very interesting period. From learning new languages to fitting in with the people.

"My sister (Tricia) was literally my best friend, at home we would fool around and speak 'fake Zulu', until we finally got a grasp of it. I really enjoyed my time in South Africa."

Dylan moved to England five years ago: "My parents wanted a better life for me and my sister." His mother moved first, and the rest of the family joined once she was settled. 

The socialite used to visit South Africa every second year, during May and September, but has visited the last two years in a row to see his family and for work commitments with local entertainer, Khanyi Mbau.

Dylan Kardshian

CLAIM TO FAME

Dylan first rose to fame when international singer Nicki Minaj regrammed a photoshopped photo of himself and the Swalla singer (2013): "I had seen a photo of her doing a pose and I did the same, put the pictures together and posted it on my Instagram."

He continues: "Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think she would see the picture let alone repost it. The time she reposted it I was taking a nap and I woke up to my phone blowing up and I just couldn't believe it. I remember refreshing her page every other minute to make sure it wasn't a mistake."

HERE IS THE INSTAGRAM POST:

A post shared by Barbie® (@nickiminaj) on

Nicki Minaj has gone on to repost four of his artworks, as well as "like" 13 photos on his Instagram page. Other celebrities who have liked his Instagram artwork include Snooki, Khanyi Mbau, Kim Kardashian-West and Khloe Kardashian.

When asked about the infamous Iggy Azalea incident, he says: "I didn't 'insult' her. I just shared an opinion which she clearly wasn't fond of and she blocked me on Instagram. She later got my Instagram account removed and I had to start afresh. I still think she's cool though."

Iggy isn't the only celebrity Dylan has had beef with. "Black Twitter was having fun with the hashtag #PoorMichelle (Michelle Williams from Destiny's Child). I created a meme and I tagged her in the tweet. Michelle was not having it that day and she responded back. Firstly, I was buzzing that she replied but then I felt bad afterwards, because it wasn't nice."

Dylan Kardashian

But why choose the name Dylan Kardashian? "I love Kim [Kardashian] and Keeping up with the Kardashians. I think everybody has something to learn from them in terms of how they have built a family media empire, especially through social media."

"I didn't plan to keep the name but when Nicki Minaj reposted my picture, it showed my username and that's what everybody online knew me as, and I decided to keep it," he adds.

WORKING WITH KHANYI MBAU

The 21-year-old is also social media and brand manager to Khanyi Mbau. He worked very closely with the local entertainer to create her new app, Khanyi Mbau Digital. 

READ: We talk to Dylan Kardashian, the creator of Khanyi Mbau's app

"In November, 2014 Khanyi Mbau had just landed her talk show Katch it With Khanyi on e.tv. I was in my first year of Media Studies. I designed her a 'better' looking artwork for the show and DMed her and her boyfriend on Instagram. She responded and loved the design. This is when we started working together."

From there on Dylan created a webiste for Khanyi - his first ever- and started managing the Khanyi Mbau brand all the way from England.

About their relationship he says: "I truly believe our relationship was already written in the books. I only met her in person last year and we both got emotional. Our first event together was the 2016 Vodacom Durban July and it was amazing just seeing her at work. I couldn't believe she was a real person. Our relationship consists of long hours on FaceTime every day, writing proposals, working on the brand, and she helps me with my assignments."

Dylan Kardashian


THE GOLDEN GLOBES

Dylan attened the Golden Globes 'watch along party' in London last year, about the experience, he says: "I received a DM on Twitter from @EonlineUK, inviting me. I took my sister with and that was my first ever red carpet event. They were filming for the UK E! Channel and I had an interview on the red carpet."

"I was very nervous and had to have three takes. After the red carpet, I was filmed talking about my favourite red carpet fashion. I was treated like royalty and I loved it," he adds.

WHAT'S NEXT?

The rising social media star, who will graudate with a media production degree later this month, will be taking on a degree in film and television production next.   

Aside from his ongoing projects with Khanyi Mbau, Dylan is also working with an entertainment company hosting SA artists when they visit the UK, saying: "We brought Riky Rick in August and later this year we're hosting Zodwa Wabantu and DJ Bongz."

The UK based star has also rubbed shoulders with the likes of Nomzamo Mbatha and Babes Wodumo.

Dylan Kardashian

Dylan Kardashian

Dylan Kardsahian
 

(Photos: Supplied)

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