After walking through unimaginable loss, rapper and businesswoman Nadia Nakai opens up about grief, faith and rediscovering joy — one day at a time.
For Nadia Nakai, choosing to live again was not an overnight decision. It was a gradual, grace-filled process — one that required surrender, honesty and courage. After losing her partner, rapper Kiernan “AKA” Forbes, the world saw her heartbreak play out in real time. But what many didn’t see was her quiet battle to keep going, to find God again, and to give herself permission to heal.
“Music makes me happy,” she once said, and even in her darkest moments, that truth still lingered. But this season has been about more than just music. It’s been about rediscovering who she is when the lights fade — the woman behind the fame, the faith and the fierce exterior.
Speaking to the star, real name Nadia Nakai Kandava, she’s warm, honest, and can send you into giggles — proof that healing, though messy, is also beautiful. There’s a gentleness in her voice when she speaks about how far she’s come.
“With Kiernan’s passing, that was the first funeral I’d ever been to,” she shares softly. “I was confused, I was in a horrible place. But now, I’m in such a better space. I’m back.”
That “back” isn’t about bouncing to the old self — it’s about embracing a new version of her: grounded, reflective and deeply spiritual.
“I’ve realised that when you share your pain, people resonate with you. I was so surprised by how many kind, empathetic people are still on social media — real people who care, who’ve been through things and understand.”
The renewal of her reality TV show, Beyond Bragga, has been another healing milestone. What began as a window into her world has evolved into a story of resilience and rebirth.
“Every kind of affirmation that you’re doing a good job is amazing,” she says with gratitude. “The show isn’t just about me — it’s about my ecosystem, my journey, and inspiring other women to know that it takes a lot of work, a lot of people, and a lot of heart to keep going.”
Seeing the show return for another season reminded her that authenticity connects — and that even through pain, her story continues to inspire. In grief, Nadia found connection: a sense of community she never expected from the digital world. Her followers became mirrors, reflecting her vulnerability back with compassion and strength. It made her realise that even in pain, she was never truly alone.
Still, beneath the confidence and success, Nadia admits she sometimes wrestles with imposter syndrome. “I don’t know why I have it,” she says thoughtfully. “Maybe it’s the devil wanting to make sure I don’t tap into my greatness (she giggles). I’ve achieved so much, but maybe it’s my humanity that makes me feel like I don’t deserve the things I get. Or maybe it’s the fear of the unknown — I’m still learning as I go.”
Her laughter softens the confession, but the truth of it lingers — the quiet insecurity that often shadows ambition. It’s something so many women can relate to: the balance between knowing your worth and doubting it at the same time.
And yet, what stands out most about Nadia is not uncertainty, but perseverance. “I’ve gotten to where I am today not by accident,” she says. “I’ve always pushed through, no matter what life throws at me. Even when I didn’t want to, even when everything seemed against me — somehow, I’ve been able to get up. I believe that’s God. He’s always been in my corner.”
Her voice steadies as she says it, a woman sure of her faith and her fight.
When we drift into lighter moments, she giggles while reflecting on advice she’d give her 18-year-old self. “To be honest, I’d say, ‘Have a baby, babe!’” she laughs. “At 18, we were so afraid of the stigma, but if I had a kid then, we would’ve grown up together. Now, it feels further away because I’m so busy. But I love kids — I’d love to have one someday.”
That mix of humour and honesty is what makes Nadia magnetic. She’s as comfortable laughing at herself as she is confronting her pain. She’s no longer performing strength; she’s embodying it.
“You know that saying — choose people who choose you? Those are the people who poured into me,” she says. “They called, they listened, they let me cry. That’s how I started pouring into myself again — through love that wasn’t loud, just consistent.”
Looking ahead, Nadia is focused on legacy. “Right now, I’m the product,” she says. “But I want to build something that lasts. That’s why I’m pushing my makeup brand. I want to open a store, create jobs, give opportunities to my family. I want to make money even in my sleep. I need to know that what I built turned into something real.”
And in many ways, she already has. She’s built resilience, grace and faith that runs deeper than before. Nadia Nakai is no longer just surviving — she’s living again, with purpose, peace and power.