Tiwa Savage Opens Up About Divorce, Postpartum Struggles, and Reinvention
Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has finally broken her silence on the emotional toll of her 2018 divorce from ex-husband Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz.
Speaking on The Receipts Podcast, the award-winning singer opened up about the pain, depression, and public backlash she endured following the highly publicised breakup—revealing that the split was not her decision.
Blindsided and Broken
According to Tiwa, TeeBillz announced their separation on social media while she was still grappling with postpartum depression after the birth of their son.
“He announced it online. I didn’t break up with him, but I was the one being attacked,” she shared.
Tiwa recalled how the public narrative turned against her, portraying her as the villain while she was battling mental health challenges and navigating the pressures of motherhood.
“My baby was just a few months old. My body wasn’t the same. I was depressed, but everyone went to support him instead.”
Breaking Free and Redefining Identity
Despite speaking out to clear her name, Tiwa revealed that the backlash only intensified.
“People said, ‘How dare you talk? You’re a woman—you should build the house.’ It was very heartbreaking how the public blamed me.”
The judgment and criticism pushed Tiwa to reinvent herself, leading to her transformation into the bold and fearless persona we know today as the ‘African Bad Girl.’
“I became depressed and angry for so long. Then I decided to reclaim my power. I got tattoos, wore bikinis, and short skirts.”
Strength and Reinvention
Today, Tiwa Savage stands as one of Africa’s biggest stars, using her story to inspire resilience and empowerment among women. Her transformation highlights the struggles women face in the spotlight and the power of owning one’s truth.
Fans continue to applaud her courage in sharing her story and redefining herself against all odds.