Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has opened up about her 2018 divorce from Tunji ‘TeeBillz’ Balogun, sharing insights into the difficulties she endured during and after their separation.
In a candid conversation on The Receipts Podcast, Tiwa revealed that her ex-husband played a significant role in the breakup, which occurred at a time when she was struggling with postpartum depression. The singer’s honesty about her experience has sparked conversations about mental health and resilience in the face of personal challenges.
The 44-year-old reflected on the harsh criticism she faced, with many Nigerians turning against her and attacking her character.
She recalled receiving advice from prominent figures to stay silent and protect her reputation, even as the emotional toll of the situation grew overwhelming.
Tiwa shared how TeeBillz publicly revealed their marital issues, leaving her to endure the weight of intense public backlash.
After attempting to share her side of the story, the singer said the criticism worsened. “People said, ‘How dare you go and talk?’ I was told I’d never win because I was a woman. It was heartbreaking.”
Tiwa Savage on the emotional struggle of my divorce
“When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart when I started and I could do no wrong in Nigerian’s eyes. I did everything by the book. I went to university and I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married then I had a baby so I did everything in the right order and everybody loved me and then everything happened.
“Then I started getting hate from blogs and I started getting hate from certain people. The way our situation happened, he announced it online. I didn’t break up with him but I was the one being attacked.
“At the time, my baby was just a few months old and I was dealing with postpartum and my body wasn’t the same and I was depressed. Everyone then went to him and only a few people came to see me.
“After I interviewed to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like ‘How dare you go and talk’ ‘You’re a woman and you’re supposed to build the house, it’s your fault’.
“I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story cuz I’d never win. Ever since then, I was like I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it and blamed me.”
“It was an eye-opener for me and it made me depressed for so long. It got me angry then I became the ‘African Bad Girl.”
“I thought to myself that after doing everything right I was still attacked. Then I started getting tattoos and wearing short skirts and bikini. I was just wild.”