Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has shared insights into her divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, discussing the challenges she endured during and after their 2018 separation.
Speaking on The Receipts Podcast, Tiwa revealed that her ex-husband’s actions contributed significantly to the split, which occurred during her battle with postpartum depression.
The singer recounted facing intense public scrutiny, with many Nigerians turning against her and criticizing her character. She shared how influential figures urged her to remain silent to protect her reputation, even as the ordeal took an emotional toll on her.
Tiwa described how TeeBillz publicized their marital problems online, which led to widespread backlash against her. She noted that her attempt to defend herself only exacerbated the criticism. “People said, ‘How dare you speak out?’ I was told I’d never win because I was a woman. It was heartbreaking.”
Reflecting on her early career, Tiwa said, “When I started, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart, and everyone loved me because I followed societal expectations. I went to university, got married, had a baby, and did everything in the ‘right’ order. But then everything fell apart.”
She recounted how the public narrative turned against her: “When he went public, I wasn’t the one who ended things, but I was the one attacked. My baby was only a few months old, and I was dealing with postpartum depression and struggling with my body image. People offered him sympathy, while only a few reached out to me.”
After giving an interview to share her perspective, Tiwa faced even harsher criticism. “People accused me of speaking out when, as a woman, I was supposed to keep the family together. I remember prominent people telling me I shouldn’t have said anything because I couldn’t win. It was devastating.”
The experience was transformative, leaving her angry and deeply affected. “It was an eye-opener that left me depressed for a long time. Eventually, I embraced being the ‘African Bad Girl.’ I thought, ‘After doing everything right and still being judged, why bother?’ I started getting tattoos, wearing short skirts, and bikinis. I just became wild.”
Through it all, Tiwa’s resilience has been a defining feature of her journey.
