In a deeply personal revelation, award-winning Nigerian singer and actress Tiwa Savage has disclosed the profound challenges she faced after becoming a mother, stating that the experience almost derailed her thriving career and initially hindered her emotional connection with her son.
The Initial Struggle: Disappointment and Disconnection
Speaking candidly on the popular FlowWithKorty podcast, the Afrobeats icon shared a side of her life rarely seen by the public. Savage confessed that she had always dreamed of having a daughter and was devastated upon learning she was expecting a boy. The news brought her to tears in the doctor's office, a moment of profound disappointment that cast a long shadow over the early years of her son's life.
Tiwa Savage welcomed her son, Jamil Balogun, in July 2015 with her former husband and manager, Tunji 'TeeBillz' Balogun. She admitted that this initial gender preference made bonding with Jamil incredibly difficult for the first year or two. "Honestly, I did not bond with him for the first year or two," she revealed, highlighting the raw and often unspoken emotional complexities some mothers face.
Career Setbacks and Physical Changes
The challenges of new motherhood were compounded by significant professional and physical hurdles. Savage explained that her body did not recover quickly after childbirth, which severely impacted her self-confidence. "I looked horrible," she stated frankly about her postpartum experience.
This period coincided with a major career disappointment. At the time, she was dropped from a high-profile Pepsi campaign, a deal that was given to another artist. This professional setback, happening amidst her personal struggles, led her to subconsciously blame her newborn son. The singer felt her career had been damaged at a critical juncture, deepening the emotional distance she felt.
A Bond Transformed: From Struggle to Best Friendship
Now, at 45, Tiwa Savage's narrative has undergone a complete and heartwarming transformation. She describes her now 10-year-old son, Jamil, as her best friend, emphasizing that their close relationship is genuine and not performed for public perception. "But now, that is my best friend. Me and him are like best friends. It is not even for the camera or social media," she affirmed.
The singer expressed immense gratitude for the unbreakable bond they share today, a relationship forged through the difficulties of their early start. She is now intentional about her parenting approach, focusing on raising Jamil to be a respectful and kind individual, particularly towards women, drawing lessons from her own past life experiences.
Fan Reactions and Broader Impact
The candid interview resonated deeply with fans and followers online. Many praised Savage's humility and honesty, noting that it helped humanize the celebrity often seen only through the lens of glamour and fame. Comments flooded in applauding her parenting, with observers noting Jamil's intelligence and good manners as proof of her dedicated motherhood.
One fan, @opeyemialausa8685, commented that such interviews allow the public to understand "the real person behind the glam," while others expressed emotional reactions to her vulnerability. The discussion has sparked broader conversations about the pressures of motherhood, career, and the unrealistic expectations placed on women in the public eye.
This revelation follows another recent instance where Tiwa Savage clapped back at a social media critic who questioned her choice to ride in a pickup truck during a parade, showcasing the same defiant spirit and confidence she has rebuilt since those challenging early years of motherhood.
