In a raw and revealing episode of the Daddy X Mo Podcast, gospel legend Owen Mwatia popularly known as Daddy Owen and media personality DJ Mo peeled back the curtain on the personal toll of public scandals.

The two veterans shared candid accounts of how media storms tore through their mental health, strained marriages, and tested careers—offering a sobering glimpse into the shadows of life in the limelight.

DJ Mo’s Two-Day Ordeal

For DJ Mo, one scandal hit like a physical blow. He recalled sitting down for lunch with his wife when his phone erupted with notifications—screenshots, rumors, and allegations flooding in.

“You feel like your stomach is tied to your oesophagus,” he confessed, describing the crushing weight of the moment. The stress was so intense that he and his wife checked into a hotel instead of going home. Mentally drained, DJ Mo hadn’t showered for two days.

“I forgot how I was feeling… It’s like I was sweating but not sweating. I didn’t shower for two days.”

Daddy Owen and the ‘Illuminati’ School Scandal

While DJ Mo faced personal attacks, Daddy Owen confronted a more surreal nightmare. At a Nairobi high school, where he had been invited as a surprise guest performer, he expected cheers and excitement—but found only silence.

As he took the stage, one by one, students stood up and walked out.

Later, a teacher revealed the reason: a pastor had spent the weekend warning students that Owen’s songs, hair color, and dance moves were demonic. DVDs circulated, labeling him an Illuminati agent sent to recruit young minds.

How Daddy Owen Fought Back

Rather than crumble, Daddy Owen faced the storm head-on:

• Researching His Lyrics: He consulted linguistic experts to verify that words in his songs like “Tobina” and “Kapungala” had no hidden meanings.
• Building Emotional Armor and Thick Skin: Though he considered quitting music, the experience forged resilience, helping him develop the “thick skin” needed for life in the spotlight.
• Mastering Silence: Instead of battling rumors publicly, Owen often chose silence, knowing that words can give manipulators more ammunition.

“If you never understand my silence, you will never understand my words.”