Online Reporter
Sipepisiwe Moyo, Zimpapers Arts and Entertainment Hub
SHE carried life inside her for nine months, dreaming of the day she would hold her baby. But in just a few minutes after birth, that dream was shattered.
Actress and musician Lee McHoney knows the kind of pain that changes everything — your heart, mind and art.
After losing her baby in a devastating miscarriage during the Covid-19 era, she is now turning her grief into music, making a comeback with songs of hope, healing and resilience.
The talented musician, in an exclusive interview with Sunday Life, opened up about her painful journey, revealing how the experience changed her.
“Before, I had a completely different outlook on life, but witnessing how fragile existence truly is has changed not only me, but also the way I perceive and express myself as an artiste.
“Having a miscarriage changed a lot about me. The strength to let go is something you only learn when you go through that kind of pain. It teaches you about detachment and how fragile life really is,” she said.
The tragedy happened during the Covid-19 era, making an already difficult situation even harder. She feels the medical staff let her down by not treating her case as urgent when she first arrived at the clinic.
“I believe the situation arose because the clinic was under-equipped, both in terms of resources and expertise. Given my previous C-section, I should have been under close supervision, but they insisted I could have a normal birth this time.
“I laboured all night, then my water broke, but it was stained with waste. By the time they decided to do a C-section, it was too late. She had already inhaled the waste into her lungs,” Lee shared.
The medical team tried to save the baby and planned to transfer her to another hospital for intensive care.
“They attempted suction and she was supposed to be admitted to the ICU. Unfortunately, she had to be transferred to another hospital for that care. Because it was during the Covid-19 era and I was unvaccinated, numerous protocols had to be completed before I could move with her.
“While those arrangements were still being made, she took her last breath just minutes after birth. I was devastated, it was something I never expected,” she said.
Despite the pain, Lee found strength in prayer and faith.
“I managed to gain my strength through prayer and a year later, God blessed me with a healthy baby boy.” She said music became her safe space during her healing journey.
“Music has played a major role in my healing, serving as an outlet for self-expression. I’ve recorded and written a lot of music, though much of it remains unreleased. It has allowed me to pour out my pain without fear of judgment.”
After over a year away from music, Lee, famed for her role as Mai Noku on the TV series Wadiwa Wepa Moyo, is ready to reclaim her place, balancing her roles as a musician, actress, and mother.
“I’m nervous because so much has changed, and competition is stiff. But I hope my fans will feel the depth of this song and understand my journey.”
Her upcoming collaboration with Afro-pop sensation Msiz’kay, set for release on October 20, reflects on resilience and life after loss. The song draws inspiration from the hardships people faced after Covid-19.
“The song is about the challenges and the shift that happened after the Covid-19 era. Many people, including me, started questioning their reality. Now that I’ve gained a new perspective on life, I want to share that with my fans.
Msiz’kay was the perfect person to work with because he could express the emotions I wanted in the song,” she said.
She hopes listeners will understand the deeper meaning in her music.
“I poured my heart into this. I’m not the same up-and-coming artiste they first knew. I’m now a grown woman with experiences that shaped me and I hope they appreciate that growth.”
Lee revealed plans to release more songs to make up for the time she was away.
“I’m working on two singles before year-end, one with Msiz’kay and another with Sparks45, a very talented artiste and producer from Bulawayo. I’m also planning an album early next year. And I’ll keep auditioning for acting roles because I love both worlds,” she said.
As an actress, she admitted that juggling both careers has been manageable with a strong support system.
“Music and acting actually go hand in hand. Music videos require acting skills, so it’s easy to blend the two. I’ve been lucky to have people who support my growth in both fields,” she said.
Her first acting role was as Mai Noku, which she said was an incredible experience.
“Playing Mai Noku wasn’t as hard as I thought because everyone was natural and welcoming. Working with legendary actors was a dream come true,” she said.
Her long-term dream is to grow beyond Zimbabwe.
“In five years, I want to have made a mark not just in Zimbabwe but across Africa, releasing quality music that people across the continent can celebrate,” she said.
Apart from music and acting, Lee is also a TV presenter. She hosts a dating show on 3Ktv, a talent she discovered recently and hopes to explore more.
