LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Award-winning Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has shared a deeply personal account of motherhood, revealing that the birth of her son initially came with tears, disappointment, and career anxiety rather than joy.
In a candid interview with YouTuber Korty EO, the Afrobeats star disclosed that she struggled emotionally after discovering she had given birth to a boy, having always envisioned herself as a mother to a daughter. The unexpected reality, she admitted, made bonding difficult during the early years of her son’s life.
Recalling that vulnerable period, Savage explained how the physical and emotional toll of childbirth affected her confidence and professional life. She revealed that a major brand dropped her from a campaign due to changes in her appearance, leaving her feeling defeated and resentful at the time.
“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.
Continuing, she added, “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. But now, he is my best friend.”
With hindsight, the singer said motherhood reshaped her life in the most meaningful way, transforming her son into her closest companion and emotional anchor. She noted that the difficult beginning ultimately strengthened their bond.
Beyond her experience as a mother, Savage spoke about how her past relationships have influenced how she is raising her son. She revealed that she intentionally teaches him kindness and respect toward women, shaped by her own painful romantic experiences.
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“I always tell him, you 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,” she added.
The 45-year-old artist also touched on her love life, admitting that she has been largely unlucky in relationships. She shared that the only relationship she looks back on fondly ended in tragedy.
“There is hardly any relationship I would look back at and see anything positive. They are all d*cks! Actually, there is one, but he passed away. May his soul rest in peace. He was incredible,” she said.
Tiwa Savage welcomed her son, Jamil Balogun, in July 2015 with her former husband Tunji Balogun. Now 10 years old, Jamil stands at the center of a story that reflects his mother’s growth, healing, and the complex realities behind celebrity motherhood.
