Jono Kenyon’s proud mother Paula always knew her little boy would grow up to be a star, but she never predicted she’d be joining him in the spotlight.
Pictured with her strapping son in this week’s magazine, Blenheim-based Paula tells of the Step Dave lead’s love of performing from a very young age.
Growing up in Brightlingsea, Essex, Jono would often transform the lounge into a stage to perform tricks and hilarious skits for anyone who’d watch him.
“When Jono was about eight or nine, he taught himself to juggle. He bought himself some devil sticks and used to juggle with fruit,” says Paula, 58. “In school assemblies he was always the one who was asked to speak in front of the crowd.”
Now an Auckland dweller, 25-year-old Jono – who left school early and was accepted into Wellington’s prestigious performing arts institute, Toi Whakaari in 2008 – says his mum has always been his best friend and greatest support.
“Mum never tried to stop me,” says Jono, “she’s always been so supportive of my career. Mum let me find my own way.”
While the acting gun has always has his loyal, loving mum to lean on, Jono experienced a fraught relationship with his father Edward. An alcoholic, he was estranged from Jono and Paula when he died in a house fire in 2013.
Of the tragedy, Jono says, “It’s one of those things when you go through a period of mourning and then you let it make you better, otherwise it’s a waste.
“You can mope around or you can change yourself, and think about what you will and won’t do in the future.”
For the full story with Jono and Paula, check out this week’s Woman’s Day.
