Award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has made a deeply emotional revelation about motherhood, fame, and survival in the spotlight, admitting that she once felt giving birth almost destroyed her career.
Speaking during a recent interview with YouTuber Korty EO, the Afrobeats icon revealed that she was not excited when she welcomed her son and even cried when she found out the baby was a boy, not the girl she had always hoped for.
Tiwa explained that the disappointment made it difficult for her to bond with her son in his early years.
“Honestly, I didn’t bond with my son for the first year or two. I always wanted a girl. They told me it was a boy, and I started crying,” she said.
The singer went on to describe how childbirth affected her body, confidence, and career at the time. According to her, the physical changes that came with pregnancy cost her a major brand deal.
“So, when he came he was always crying and my body didn’t snap back. I looked horrible. I was supposed to do a campaign with Pepsi at the time and they turned me away. And I just thought this boy has destroyed me,” Savage revealed.
Looking back now, the music star says her perspective has completely changed, as her son has become her closest companion.
“But now, he is my best friend,” she added.
Twa also shared how her personal struggles in past relationships have shaped how she is raising her son, stressing the importance of kindness and respect toward women.
“I always tell him, your mum suffered oo, make sure you treat any girl like a queen. It is very important for me to raise him as a good man. He is going to make mistakes, he is not perfect. But at the core of him, I want him to be kind.”
The singer also touched on age-shaming in the industry, confidently embracing her years.
“I love saying I’m 45 years old. Anyone trying to shade me by mentioning my age? Nah.”
Tiwa Savage welcomed her son, Jamil Balogun, in July 2015 with her former husband Tunji Balogun (TeeBillz). Jamil turned 10 years old in July 2025.
Her story has since sparked conversations online about postpartum struggles, pressure on female celebrities, and the silent battles many women face behind success.