Meet Kenya Cabine

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Cabine of Ursula Wiedmann Models & Talent in Midtown.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story. 
I’m originally from Atlanta Georgia. I grew up in a single-parent family after my parents divorced when I was 8 years old. Growing up as an only child I always knew I was going to be an entertainment, but I didn’t know exactly what I was going to do. I didn’t know if I was going to be a comedian, an actor, a singer, or an anchorman, but I knew that I was destined to be in the forefront, or media of some sort.

After graduating from Westlake High School, I was accepted to Savannah State University. Whenever someone met me they would say that I spoke well, had a strong voice and should try working at the campus radio station. I auditioned and got a job working at WHCJ for four years as an on air host. While working at the campus station WEAS E93, the #1 commercial radio station in Savannah, was looking for interns. I applied and got the job right before graduating. My day to day duties included washing the station vehicles, cleaning the studios, getting lunch for the personalities, setting up live broadcast, and organizing the music catalog. As an intern I watched and learned everything that I could about radio from sales, to promotions, to programming. Eventually I moved up within three months to become a producer and host of a mixshow, and ultimately an on air personality. My stint in commercial radio lasted for 20 years working in Savannah Georgia and Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. While in radio I was also an Entertainment Corresponded for Savannah’s NBC affiliate WSAV and hosted The Video Explosion on Myrtle Beach/ Florence Fox affiliate WFXB. 

Being that I was with ONE company for twenty years, I held just about every programming position. I did mornings, middays, afternoons, and overnights. I also got in upper management as a Music Director, Assistant Program Director, and Interim Program Director. I worked my ass off, but never complained and always stayed professional despite going through trials and tribulations behind the scenes in my life. In 2008 my mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s/ Dementia. My mom and I were very close and emotionally I was heartbroken when I received the news of her illness. Becoming her caretaker while balancing my career was difficult however, it’s true what they say…”God won’t put anything on you that you can’t handle’. Besides, this was my mom. It was my duty as her only child to take care of her. From a spiritual standpoint I knew that I was gonna come out of this situation as a stronger individual, and I did. 

My mom passed in May 2018, the day before Mother’s Day. After her death, I rushed back to work and went hard for my company working 10-12 hours a day. I was up for a promotion, but my company didn’t value and respect me as an employee so I decided to retire from radio; even after they offered me the promotion I wanted and more money. I walked away from a very comfortable situation however, I knew that I would be unhappy in that position being overworked, having no life outside of the station, and STILL not getting paid my worth! It cost to be the boss. Anyway, as much as I love Savannah, my coworkers, and the people there, it was time for me to go. I couldn’t grow as individual and was ready for change looooong ago. So I moved back home to pursue acting and voiceover work. 

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way? 
Well being with the same radio broadcasting company for 20 years wasn’t a walk in the park. I’ve faced a tremendous amount of adversity. I’ve dealt with jealousy and envy from coworkers and direct supervisors. This taught me how to stay professional in a hostile work environment and never step out of character even when I so badly wanted to. Then you have racism. The majority of #1 urban radio stations generate huge revenue for their markets locally and still get treated like shit. Corporate tends to show favoritism to pop, country and rock stations even when their ratings are lower than the urban stations. But all that aside, the biggest challenge for me was being able to take a leap of faith, start over and pursue a new field. I was extremely nervous and had a lot of emotions going through my mind when I resigned from radio, but then I realized spiritually this is what I was supposed to do. I believe that instincts are God telling us what we should and shouldn’t do. Once I made up my mind that I was leaving my job, I knew that I was gonna be fine and on to bigger and better things. It’s all about trusting the universe and God.

Please tell us about Kenya Cabine. 
As a voiceover talent I’ve voiced commercials for McDonalds, Publix, Metro PCS, Comcast, Dominos, and more. I love that I still get offers to cut spots now that I’m out of radio. I have a very distinctive voice and huge personality that makes me stand out. The goal is to crossover and voice cartoons, video games, audio books, and more. I’m also pursuing acting fulltime and enrolled in Thom Scott’s Actors Gym studying the craft and putting in the work. Blessed to say that I’ve caught the eye of a couple of casting directors in Atlanta and just booked my first national television commercial! I’ve also signed to Ursula Wiedmann Models. They will be representing me as an actor in film, movies, and commercials. Meanwhile, Premier Talent/ Avery Sisters Entertainment are my new voiceover agency. The sky’s the limit and the future looks very promising. This is the happiest that I’ve been in life EVER. I’m living my BLESSED life and it’s all because I took a leap of faith!   

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently? 
I wouldn’t do anything differently. Everything that I’ve gone through has made me who I am today, good or bad. That’s how life works.

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]

Image Credit:
Head shots by Anthony Paderewski

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