How Tiwa Savage’s Divorce Changed Her Public Image and Career
Multi-award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage is candidly discussing the profound impact her divorce had on her personal and professional life, revealing that the public’s response turned her from Nigeria’s sweetheart into a villain, with many placing the blame on her. Tiwa shares that she’s avoided addressing the topic for years due to the intense and hurtful reaction she received when the news broke.
The “Who Is Your Guy” hitmaker ended her five-year marriage to her husband, entertainer and talent manager Tunji Balogun, known as Tee Billz. The couple, who share a son, were together from 2013 until their marriage ended in 2018. Speaking during a revealing interview on the Receipts podcast, Tiwa opened up about how the highly publicized divorce, combined with the negative media coverage that followed, led her to lose the beloved status she once enjoyed in Nigeria.
“When I came out and had my breakthrough, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart,” Tiwa recalled. “When I started, I could do no wrong in Nigerians’ eyes.” She continued, “I did everything by the book—went to university, wasn’t a baby mama, got married, had a baby… I followed the right path, and everyone loved me, but then everything changed.” Tiwa explained how quickly the public turned against her after her ex-husband, Tee Billz, publicly announced their divorce. She explained that this sudden shift in perception was overwhelming, as she was left to deal with the fallout, including constant phone calls from people offering unsolicited advice on how to handle the situation.
“I remember famous people calling me, telling me not to speak out because I would never win,” Tiwa said. “After that, I decided I wouldn’t talk about it, but it was heartbreaking to see how the public reacted.” Despite the advice to remain silent, Tiwa chose to share her side of the story. In retrospect, she feels this decision only made things worse. “After I did an interview to tell my side, things got worse,” she explained. “People were like, ‘How dare you speak out? You’re a woman; you should be building the house! It’s your fault.'” She was particularly struck by the double standard, as she was blamed for the breakup when it was actually her ex-husband who made the announcement.
“He announced it online. I didn’t end the marriage, but I was the one being attacked,” she shared. Tiwa also recalled the emotional turmoil she faced during this period, as her son was just a few months old and she was grappling with postpartum depression. “My body wasn’t the same, and I was really depressed. Everyone went to him, and only a few came to check on me,” she said, her voice tinged with emotion.
Tiwa also pointed out how the media exacerbated the situation, with certain online publications using malicious headlines that only fueled the public’s judgment. “Then I started getting hate from blogs and certain people as well. That’s how the situation spiraled,” she concluded, reflecting on the difficult and painful journey she’s faced since her marriage ended. Despite it all, Tiwa continues to focus on her music and career, appreciating the growth and support from her fans along the way.