Pearl Thusi remembers how designer Swanky Jerry comforted her following AKA's shooting
"You held me up, held my hand, and carried me through."
As the world continues to mourn the passing of AKA, Pearl Thusi has taken to social media to recall the moment she learned about the rapper's death.
She wrote on Instagram that she found out the news when she was in Nigeria for work.
As someone who personally knew AKA, Pearl spoke about how the passing broke her, however, she was grateful for her Nigerian designer Swanky Jerry, who was a pillar of strength at the time.
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Sharing a photo of Jerry styling her, Pearl wrote: "It was halfway through this shoot that I found out Kiernan had passed away. You held me up, held my hand and carried me through the shoot and the show the following day.
"When I look at these videos and pictures I see so much happening in me and I can’t believe that in this silence there was so much chaos yet we created all this beauty."
Jerry replied about how heartbreaking it was for him to see Pearl in that state.
"Pearl you are one special and powerful human …. Seeing you break down in the middle of this broke me … it was heartbreaking and I can’t express how devastated I was …. But one person have to carry the other," he responded.
"I am happy I was there for you like you are always there for me … I love you endlessly."
In February, Pearl took to Instagram to talk about the relationship she enjoyed with AKA.
The rapper died on 10 February.
"Wow Kiernan… I’ve been trying to figure out which pic I’d use on my gram after the anniversary of Riky’s passing. To think this is the pic I’m using next… I could have never imagined this. I’m still trying to string sentences together to express how I feel. Is it better if I come home first? Is it better I just pretend this didn’t happen? I don’t know. Until then, it’s time to push. If you were in front of me, I would have said I’m just doing it for Kairo’s bag.
"Why was our love language dragging each other. I remember when I didn’t understand the difference between albums, EPs , single releases etc. I said to you I’ve bought all your albums, to which you said “there’s only one , but thanks baby girl!” Anyway- over a decade later- and I’ve bought all your albums for real this time," she wrote.
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Image courtesy of Instagram.