From Kingston University to I’m a Celebrity: Eddie Kadi shares lessons in confidence, identity and success on return to alma mater

Acclaimed broadcaster, comedian and Kingston University graduate Eddie Kadi reflected on the importance of authenticity and encouraged current students to be curious and embrace mistakes during a special staff event at Town House.

The British‑Congolese performer has built an international career spanning comedy, television and radio, since graduating in 2004 with a degree in media technology from the University. Most recently, he appeared on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, bringing his profile to a new national audience. 

In a conversation with the University’s Executive Director for Students Louisa Green, Kadi explored how confidence, self‑belief and a clear sense of identity can shape individual success. At the event, he reflected on how higher education fulfilled not only his own ambitions, but also a long‑held dream for his parents.

Reflecting on his time on I’m a Celebrity, he shared how there’s no room to perform or pretend in the jungle. “The cameras are on all the time and you’re left with no option but to be yourself,” Kadi said. “What I learned very quickly is that the best version of you is the real one. Once I trusted who I was and believed I belonged there, it completely changed how I saw myself and my career.” 

Kingston University graduate to global performer

Known for his bold, high‑energy style, Kadi first broke through after winning the BECA Award for Best Comedy Newcomer in 2006 and went on to make history as the first Black British solo comedian to sell out London’s IndigO2 and then headline the O2 Arena.

Beyond stand‑up, he has become a familiar broadcaster and presenter, hosting the MOBO Awards, fronting Afro Nation festival main stages, and appearing on Strictly Come Dancing and his own documentary My Super Rich Holiday. He also presents BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Official Afrobeats Chart Show and continues to tour nationally.

Growing up in Fulham after moving to the UK from the Democratic Republic of Congo at the age of nine, education was a non‑negotiable in his household. “My parents constantly reminded us of how fortunate we were to be in the UK and the opportunities that came with that,” he said. “Education was everything. It was always made clear that university wasn’t optional. For me, it represented both responsibility and possibility – a chance to fulfil my parents’ dreams, but also to discover my own path.”

Finding belonging and confidence 

After starting university life as a commuting student, a move into student accommodation at Clayhill changed everything. “When I moved into halls, that’s when my university experience really began,” Kadi said. “There was a sense of independence and possibility that I hadn’t felt before. It was the everyday moments, being in the common rooms, talking late into the night and building friendships, that helped me understand what university was really about – those friendships have stayed with me for life.”

A pivotal influence during Kadi’s time at the University was his involvement in the African and Caribbean Society, where he served as a spokesperson and helped organise cultural events with the support of the Students’ Union. He shared how it had created space for honest conversations about identity and belonging, and reinforced how activities beyond academic study could be just as formative as lectures.

It was through the society that Kadi first stepped onto the stage, hosting a student showcase at the University’s Kingston Hill campus in 2003 — a moment that proved transformational when students from other universities approached him about performing elsewhere, marking the first time he realised comedy could be more than a hobby.

Lessons in authenticity and self‑belief

Reflecting on his later success, Kadi said that understanding his personal brand and identity came gradually. After graduating, he balanced paid work with performance opportunities, learning through trial, rejection and setbacks. He explained that embracing his heritage and lived experience – being Congolese, British and navigating both cultures – made his comedy authentic and relatable to audiences.

For today’s students, Kadi had a clear message about confidence, curiosity and giving yourself permission to grow. “Make the mistakes, be curious and don’t be afraid of the unknown,” he said. “That’s how you discover who you are. Confidence doesn’t come from getting everything right. It comes from trying things, learning what gives you joy and trusting that, even when it feels uncertain, you are enough and it will be okay.”

• Find out more about studying at Kingston University.