Mukobwajana Asiphie, affectionately known in the Rwandan film industry as Micky, is celebrated for her standout roles and contributions to cinema. Having acted and written her own productions, Micky’s talent shines as she competes for the Mashariki African Film Festival awards in its 11th edition.
Her journey, though, is far from ordinary—a behind-the-scenes story of resilience, determination, and creativity that transformed a hardworking woman into a luminous star on Rwanda’s silver screen.
The Discovery of a Hidden Talent
During an exclusive interview with InyaRwanda, Micky shared her surprising entry into the world of acting. Despite never aspiring to become an actress, a casual remark from a friend unveiled her confidence and ignited a new path.
"I never, not even once, thought about acting. In fact, I didn’t even like it," she recalled. "But one day, a friend complimented my boldness and suggested I try acting. That conversation was a turning point in my life."
At the time, Micky was more focused on earning a living, like many others. Acting was far from her thoughts, but her newfound realization of talent marked the beginning of something extraordinary.
Ordinary Jobs Before Cinema Glory
Before stepping onto the screen, Micky worked various jobs, including selling Me2U, locally referred to as ‘Mitiyu,’ for MTN Rwanda. "My early aspirations revolved around traditional dancing," she explained. "But by the third year of secondary school, my mother encouraged me to learn a quick trade. I chose tailoring as my first step toward independence."
When the COVID-19 pandemic impacted many livelihoods, Micky adapted by selling MTN airtime near Kanombe Military Base. Despite her efforts, challenges such as theft forced her to change paths.
Her next opportunity came in a bar called Makumba, where she worked nights as a waitress. "At Makumba, I told them I wanted to work despite my young age. They eventually accepted me. It was here that Shema, the person who introduced me to cinema, came into my life."
A Transformative Entry into Filmmaking
In November 2023, Micky received her big break. She met Killaman, a renowned film director whose work she admired, and he gave her the chance to act in her first film.
"I finally visited Killaman’s set," she said, recalling the memorable moment when she stepped into the cinematic world wearing a short dress and high heels. “On that very day, I acted in my first film."
Her debut role alongside Dr. Nsabi, a well-known actor in Rwandan film, was unforgettable. "When the crew saw me, they paused everything and said, ‘What a beautiful girl!’ My first role was with Dr. Nsabi, but I went on to feature in four more parts."
A Week That Changed Everything
Just a week after her first shoot, Killaman invited her back to perform in more episodes. That day, she officially became part of his production team—a life-changing moment. "From that point on, Killaman accepted me into his team," Micky shared. "That was the day my career truly took off."
While she faced setbacks when certain projects didn’t get released, Micky’s passion for cinema kept her moving forward.
Producing Five Films with Passion and Dedication
Today, Micky has achieved a significant milestone: producing five films of her own. Among her proudest creations are ‘Igihome,’ 'Imbaraga za Mama,' ‘My Daughter,’ and her anticipated new film, ‘Igeno.’
"The Rwandan film industry is growing, but there’s still a long way to go," she said, emphasizing the need for better collaboration between actors and producers. To address this, she took steps to learn filmmaking, from directing to shooting and production.
Micky also acknowledged the importance of managing boundaries and time as a public figure and a regular woman, expressing hope in her pursuit of international success.
Micky, now a celebrated name in Rwandan cinema, overcame many obstacles before getting her chance to shine on screen.
Mukobwajana, known as Micky, worked various jobs—selling phone cards and working in a bar—before becoming a star actress.
Micky credits Killaman as the key figure who catapulted her to the world of filmmaking.
Currently, Micky has produced five of her own films, illustrating that passion and hard work pave the way to success.
Click Here to Watch Our Interview with Micky in Cinema