Nigerian singer Tiwa Savage has opened up about the impact of her divorce from Tunji Balogun, popularly known as TeeBillz. In an interview with The Receipts Podcast, Tiwa shared that TeeBillz announced their separation in 2018 on social media, but she didn’t initiate the divorce.
She revealed that TeeBillz’s public declaration came while she was still struggling with postpartum depression following the birth of their son. Tiwa expressed how painful it was to be blamed by the public for the breakup, especially during such a vulnerable time.
She explained, “The way things happened, he announced it online. I did not break up with him, but I was the one getting attacked.” Tiwa also described how her postpartum journey was difficult, both mentally and physically, which only added to her struggles.
After speaking out in an interview to share her side of the story, Tiwa faced more criticism. “People were saying, ‘How dare you go and talk? You’re a woman, you’re supposed to build the house. It’s your fault,’” she recalled. The public response was incredibly painful, leading her to withdraw from sharing her experiences and sinking into depression.
However, Tiwa acknowledged that this period ultimately shaped her into the confident artist she is today. “I became the ‘African Bad Girl,’” she said. The divorce and public scrutiny pushed her toward finding her identity, embracing self-expression, and focusing on her music career.
