I Had to Leave America”: Chart-Topping Star Kelis Escapes U.S. Racism for a New Life in Kenya — But What She Found There Shocked Her
When Grammy-nominated singer Kelis, best known for her 2003 global hit Milkshake, packed up her life and left the United States, she wasn’t chasing fame, luxury, or another record deal. She was chasing peace. After years of navigating racism and judgment in America, the chart-topping artist made the bold decision to start anew — thousands of miles away in Kenya.
In a candid interview earlier this year, Kelis revealed that she felt increasingly disillusioned with life in the U.S. She described wanting to raise her children “in a place where they could just exist without constantly being seen through a racial lens.” For her, Kenya symbolized freedom — a chance to reconnect with the land, embrace nature, and live on her own terms.
The singer invested heavily in her dream, purchasing more than 300 acres of farmland near Lake Naivasha, where she began building what she called a “self-sustaining African paradise.” Her plan was to combine her passion for food, agriculture, and wellness into a thriving eco-retreat. “Kenya has everything,” she said. “It’s green, it’s fertile, it’s beautiful, and the energy is just different.”
But months into her relocation, Kelis began to share a more nuanced side of her African experience — one that wasn’t in the travel brochures or dreamy relocation videos. In a viral video that caught the attention of fans worldwide, the star opened up about the unexpected downsides of living in Kenya.
“The roads are rough,” she admitted. “You hit potholes that could take your car out. The speed bumps aren’t painted, and sometimes it’s so dark at night you don’t even see them.” Her frustration didn’t end there. She also highlighted the poor drainage and waste-management systems, calling them “trash… absolutely awful.”
Another shock came from the cost of living — particularly for imported goods. “If you want to live like an American here,” Kelis explained, “you’ll pay three times the price. Cars, clothes, food — everything imported is insanely expensive.” She described the local vehicle market as “ridiculous,” pointing out that a 20-year-old imported car could cost as much as a brand-new model in the States.
Still, Kelis hasn’t lost faith in her decision. Despite the hurdles, she remains deeply inspired by Kenya’s natural beauty and sense of community. “It’s not perfect,” she said, “but nowhere is. I still think Kenya is one of the best countries on the continent.”
Her story resonates with many in the African diaspora — especially those exploring a “return to the motherland.” It’s a reminder that while moving abroad can offer liberation from Western social pressures, it also demands adaptation, patience, and a willingness to see both the beauty and the flaws.
For Kelis, Kenya remains more than just a destination — it’s a personal revolution. Her journey from Hollywood stages to African soil captures the raw truth behind every dream of escape: peace comes with a price, and paradise isn’t always what it seems.
