Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has shared an emotional and candid account of her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, revealing the immense challenges she endured both during and after their separation in 2018. The celebrated singer opened up about the life-altering experience in a heartfelt interview on The Receipts Podcast, shedding light on the emotional toll it took on her.
Tiwa explained that her ex-husband, TeeBillz, was primarily responsible for the breakup, which unfolded at a time when she was already battling postpartum depression. The separation marked a difficult chapter in her life, leaving her to navigate the dual challenges of personal heartbreak and public scrutiny.
The 44-year-old artist vividly described the intense backlash she faced from critics, particularly within Nigeria. She noted how many people turned against her, launching attacks on her character and questioning her decisions. Tiwa revealed that despite her efforts to handle the situation with grace, prominent figures in her life advised her to remain silent for the sake of her reputation.
Recalling those painful moments, she spoke about how TeeBillz went public with their marital issues, leaving her to shoulder the brunt of public outrage. She said, “When he announced it online, everything changed. I didn’t break up with him, yet I was the one being attacked.”
Tiwa also reflected on her early career and how her reputation as “Nigeria’s sweetheart” made the backlash even harder to bear. “I started as someone who could do no wrong. I followed all the right steps—I went to university, I wasn’t a baby mama, I got married, and then I had a baby. I did everything by the book, and everyone loved me. But then everything fell apart.”
Tiwa Savage on the emotional struggle of her divorce
Tiwa revealed how the situation affected her mental health. She described dealing with postpartum depression while caring for her baby, who was just a few months old at the time. “I was depressed, my body wasn’t the same, and everyone was against me. Only a few people checked on me. Most went to support him.”
Despite her attempts to defend herself by sharing her side of the story in an interview, the criticism only intensified. “People were outraged. They said, ‘How dare you talk?’ and blamed me because I was a woman. I was told I would never win, no matter what I said. Famous people called me, saying I should have stayed silent. It was heartbreaking.”
Tiwa admitted that the experience was a turning point in her life. “It was an eye-opener. The hate, the depression—it made me angry. That’s when I decided to embrace a new identity: the ‘African Bad Girl.’”
She recounted how the intense scrutiny led her to redefine herself. “I thought, after doing everything right and still being attacked, what’s the point? I started getting tattoos, wearing short skirts, bikinis—I was just wild.”
Tiwa’s story highlights her resilience and determination to rise above the negativity, even as she continues to inspire fans worldwide with her music and authenticity.
