Janet Otieno: Depression Made Me Nearly Quit Music
12 March 2024
Kenyan Gospel artist Janet Otieno. Photo/Instagram
By Kinyua Mwangi
Award-winning Kenyan gospel artist Janet Otieno has disclosed that her music career nearly ended prematurely due to depression after being diagnosed with Vitiligo.
Vitiligo is a condition that causes patches of skin to lose pigment, turning white. It's not contagious and can affect anyone, regardless of age or skin tone.
While the cause is unknown, doctors say that it is an autoimmune-related disease which has no definitive cure but can be effectively managed.
Speaking on Radio 47's 'Maskani 47' show, the ‘Napokea Kwako’ singer opened up on her lowest moment in her music career.
She discovered that she had this condition moments before a concert in which she was performing. Otieno saw an unfamiliar spot on her face while prepping backstage.
No amount of makeup would make it go away and it hit her hard that she was suffering from Vitiligo. Shocked at the discovery, Otieno summed up courage and performed beyond expectations but that was the beginning of another stressful phase in her career.
"I had to perform and kill the show, but the next day, things got worse. Things got worse in the morning, and I cannot forget that day,” she disclosed.
She acknowledged that she sank into depression after learning she had vitiligo. The emotional toll increased when the condition quickly spread to her hands, chest, and face in just two weeks.
The celebrated gospel artist took a leave from music and social media thereafter.
"It was the beginning of a lot of stress. I was even depressed because, in just two weeks, it had spread all over my body."
She sought treatment abroad and it took five years to fully manage the condition and she didn’t do much of music during this period.
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