Breaking the mold
From bullied schoolgirl to bold creator, Kuwaiti artist Jenayen shares her journey of healing, motherhood and fearless self-expression
Breaking the mold
As a young girl, Kuwaiti artist Jenayen often felt like she didn't belong - singled out, misunderstood, and shaped by the sting of bullying that chipped away at her self-worth. She spent years trying to change who she was just to be accepted, hiding her insecurities behind what felt 'socially acceptable'. But deep inside, a performer was waiting to break free.
Everything began to shift in 2020. Realizing she had become her own biggest obstacle, Jenayen tore down the walls of self-doubt and began to see the beauty in her voice, her height and her uniqueness. Becoming a mother only fueled that transformation, pushing her to lead by example and live boldly - not just for herself, but for the little eyes watching her.
Today, she is a thriving content creator, entrepreneur and makeup artist who blends beauty, performance and authenticity into everything she does. In this exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Jenayen opens up about her journey of healing, creating and empowering others through her story.
Kuwait Times: Can you tell us about some of the struggles you faced growing up, especially dealing with bullying or feeling different?
Jenayen: I went through a lot of bullying as a child, and it deeply affected my self-esteem. It made me feel like I wasn't enough, and I started wanting to change everything about myself - how I looked, how I acted - just to feel accepted.
KT: What insecurities did you struggle with, and how did they shape your self-image?
Jenayen: I was very insecure about my voice and my height. I felt like I had to hide those parts of me. So, I adapted to what felt more 'normal', even if it wasn't truly me.
KT: You've said before that you were your own biggest obstacle. When did that begin to change?
Jenayen: In 2020, I had a breakthrough. I realized all my fears were illusions — I had put myself in a mental cage, and it was stopping me from seeing my own talents and beauty. From then on, I began to choose freedom and authenticity.
KT: How did motherhood play a role in that transformation?
Jenayen: My children were a huge motivation. I wanted to show them what it looks like to be strong, to pursue your dreams, and not be held back by fear. I wanted them to believe in their own potential because they've seen their mother believe in hers.
KT: Was there a specific moment when you decided to leave teaching and pursue your passion?
Jenayen: Teaching was never my true passion - it was something I did for security. But eventually, I couldn't keep living a life that didn't reflect who I was. So I left, even though it was scary, and I started building something that felt right.
KT: How do you combine your love for acting, makeup and performance in your content today?
Jenayen: I've always loved performing. Even though I'm not in the professional acting world yet, I decided to create my own productions - short videos where I can express myself through makeup, storytelling and character work.
KT: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when launching your salon?
Jenayen: Financial pressure, for sure. The first year or two of starting any business is the hardest, and mine was no exception. There were emotional setbacks too, but I stayed focused on my long-term vision.
KT: You juggle motherhood, business and content creation. How do you manage it all?
Jenayen: It's tough. Each of those roles could be full-time on its own. But I prioritize my kids - I make sure I spend time with them, and I plan carefully so my work doesn't take over. It's not always easy, but I think I've found a good rhythm.
KT: What role has social media played in building your confidence?
Jenayen: It's had a massive impact. Going live on TikTok helped me become more comfortable in my own skin. I learned how to deal with criticism, stay grounded and be myself — unapologetically. Social media helped me find my voice.
KT: How long does it usually take to produce one of your makeup videos?
Jenayen: It varies. Sometimes it takes me two months just to think of the concept. Other times, it comes in two days. But filming and makeup can take 9 to 11 hours, sometimes even several days. It's a lot of work, but it's my passion.
KT: Beyond makeup, what other talents or interests do you bring into your work?
Jenayen: Performance and storytelling are a big part of what I do. I don't just apply makeup - I create characters, narratives and scenes. It's my way of combining creativity with personal expression.
KT: What advice would you give to young girls in Kuwait who feel like they don't fit the mold or are afraid to follow their dreams?
Jenayen: Fear is an illusion. If you take time to look inside and understand what you're truly capable of, you'll be surprised. Don't let self-doubt or society define you. Follow your dreams with confidence — and don't look back.
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From bullied schoolgirl to bold creator, Kuwaiti artist Jenayen shares her journey of healing, motherhood and fearless self-expression Breaking the mold As a young girl, Kuwaiti artist Jenayen often felt like she didn't belong - singled out, misunderstood, and shaped by the sting of bullying that chipped away at her self-worth. She spent years trying to change who she was just to be accepted, hiding her insecurities behind what felt 'socially acceptable'. But deep inside, a performer was waiting to break free. Everything began to shift in 2020. Realizing she had become her own biggest obstacle, Jenayen tore down the walls of self-doubt and began to see the beauty in her voice, her height and her uniqueness. Becoming a mother only fueled that transformation, pushing her to lead by example and live boldly - not just for herself, but for the little eyes watching her. Today, she is a thriving content creator, entrepreneur and makeup artist who blends beauty, performance and authenticity into everything she does. In this exclusive interview with Kuwait Times, Jenayen opens up about her journey of healing, creating and empowering others through her story. Kuwait Times: Can you tell us about some of the struggles you faced growing up, especially dealing with bullying or feeling different? Jenayen: I went through a lot of bullying as a child, and it deeply affected my self-esteem. It made me feel like I wasn't enough, and I started wanting to change everything about myself - how I looked, how I acted - just to feel accepted. KT: What insecurities did you struggle with, and how did they shape your self-image? Jenayen: I was very insecure about my voice and my height. I felt like I had to hide those parts of me. So, I adapted to what felt more 'normal', even if it wasn't truly me. KT: You've said before that you were your own biggest obstacle. When did that begin to change? Jenayen: In 2020, I had a breakthrough. I realized all my fears were illusions — I had put myself in a mental cage, and it was stopping me from seeing my own talents and beauty. From then on, I began to choose freedom and authenticity. KT: How did motherhood play a role in that transformation? Jenayen: My children were a huge motivation. I wanted to show them what it looks like to be strong, to pursue your dreams, and not be held back by fear. I wanted them to believe in their own potential because they've seen their mother believe in hers. KT: Was there a specific moment when you decided to leave teaching and pursue your passion? Jenayen: Teaching was never my true passion - it was something I did for security. But eventually, I couldn't keep living a life that didn't reflect who I was. So I left, even though it was scary, and I started building something that felt right. KT: How do you combine your love for acting, makeup and performance in your content today? Jenayen: I've always loved performing. Even though I'm not in the professional acting world yet, I decided to create my own productions - short videos where I can express myself through makeup, storytelling and character work. KT: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced when launching your salon? Jenayen: Financial pressure, for sure. The first year or two of starting any business is the hardest, and mine was no exception. There were emotional setbacks too, but I stayed focused on my long-term vision. KT: You juggle motherhood, business and content creation. How do you manage it all? Jenayen: It's tough. Each of those roles could be full-time on its own. But I prioritize my kids - I make sure I spend time with them, and I plan carefully so my work doesn't take over. It's not always easy, but I think I've found a good rhythm. KT: What role has social media played in building your confidence? Jenayen: It's had a massive impact. Going live on TikTok helped me become more comfortable in my own skin. I learned how to deal with criticism, stay grounded and be myself — unapologetically. Social media helped me find my voice. KT: How long does it usually take to produce one of your makeup videos? Jenayen: It varies. Sometimes it takes me two months just to think of the concept. Other times, it comes in two days. But filming and makeup can take 9 to 11 hours, sometimes even several days. It's a lot of work, but it's my passion. KT: Beyond makeup, what other talents or interests do you bring into your work? Jenayen: Performance and storytelling are a big part of what I do. I don't just apply makeup - I create characters, narratives and scenes. It's my way of combining creativity with personal expression. KT: What advice would you give to young girls in Kuwait who feel like they don't fit the mold or are afraid to follow their dreams? Jenayen: Fear is an illusion. If you take time to look inside and understand what you're truly capable of, you'll be surprised. Don't let self-doubt or society define you. Follow your dreams with confidence — and don't look back.
