By Fasuyi Tolulope Samuel
Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has opened up about the emotional toll of her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, revealing the struggles she endured during and after their separation in 2018.
Speaking candidly on The Receipts Podcast, the 44-year-old singer described how the breakdown of her marriage was triggered by her ex-husband, TeeBillz, against the backdrop of her battle with postpartum depression.
Savage recounted the storm of public criticism that followed the highly publicized split, exacerbated when TeeBillz brought their issues to social media. Despite her efforts to share her perspective, Savage faced intense backlash, largely shaped by societal biases.
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“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart. I did everything by the book—went to university, got married, had a baby. Everyone loved me. But when everything happened, the hate started,” she explained.
Savage revealed that after TeeBillz aired their marital problems online, the public’s ire turned overwhelmingly toward her.
“Only a few people supported me,” she said. “At the time, my baby was a few months old, my body wasn’t the same, and I was dealing with depression. I remember famous people calling to say I’d never win as a woman and shouldn’t even share my side of the story. It was heartbreaking.”
The relentless scrutiny led her to a turning point. “It made me depressed for so long, but eventually, I got angry. Then I became the ‘African Bad Girl.’ I thought to myself, if I was attacked despite doing everything right, I might as well live for myself.”
This transformation saw Savage adopt a more rebellious image, symbolized by tattoos, short skirts, and a bold embrace of freedom. “I stopped caring what people thought. It was my way of taking control of the narrative,” she admitted.
The emotional openness displayed by the iconic artist sheds light on the double standards women face in the public eye and the courage it takes to redefine one’s identity amidst adversity.
