Nigerian music artiste Aituaje Iruobe, widely known as Waje, has candidly shared her personal battles with body image during her younger years, disclosing that she often resorted to wearing as many as three bras simultaneously to hide her upper body. The 45-year-old vocalist made these revelations during a recent appearance on the Her Next Chapter podcast, hosted by Tope Olowoniyan, where she delved into her journey toward self-acceptance and confidence.
Early Struggles with Body Image
According to Waje, her discomfort with her physical appearance began long before she entered motherhood, significantly influencing her fashion choices and public demeanor. She described feeling particularly self-conscious about her heavy upper body, which led her to adopt extreme measures to conceal it. "Even before I had my child, I have always been heavy at the top. I used to hide it. In my 20s, I used to wear like three bras. I used to be very uncomfortable about how heavy I was at the top," she explained during the podcast interview.
Impact on Confidence and Social Interactions
Waje emphasized that these insecurities extended beyond mere appearance, profoundly affecting her confidence levels and how she engaged with others during that period of her life. The singer recounted how the constant worry about her body shape made her retreat from social situations and hindered her ability to express herself freely. This phase, she noted, was marked by a deep-seated fear of judgment and criticism from peers and the public alike.
Turning Point Through Motherhood
The singer highlighted that her perspective began to shift dramatically after she became a mother, describing this experience as a pivotal moment in her relationship with her body. "Things really changed for me. Motherhood also played a big time in how I was seeing my body. I became more comfortable," Waje stated. She attributed this transformation to the newfound sense of purpose and strength that motherhood brought, allowing her to embrace her physical form with greater acceptance and pride.
Support System and Resilience Building
Waje also acknowledged the crucial role played by her close friends in helping her overcome these insecurities. She specifically mentioned rapper M.I and dancer Kaffy as key figures in her support network, whose encouragement empowered her to develop resilience against negative external comments. "The encouragement helped me to build thick skin and ignore negative comments from people," she remarked, underscoring the importance of positive reinforcement in her journey toward self-love.
Reflections on Past Challenges
In addition to discussing her body image struggles, Waje revisited other early life hardships, including becoming pregnant at the age of 16 and raising her child as a single mother after the father denied paternity. She recalled the emotional turmoil of hiding the pregnancy from her mother for several months and the subsequent rejection faced when her family approached the man's family. "My mom had gone to his family and said, okay, so your son and my daughter... and he was like, no, it's not him," she recounted.
Navigating Paternity and Parental Responsibilities
Waje further revealed that the father later attempted to re-enter their lives, expressing a desire to meet his daughter after years of absence. However, she maintained a cautious stance, citing concerns about potential instability and the impact on her child's well-being. "Many times when fathers or mothers are protecting their child, it's because you already know that this person is not stable. This person can come and destabilise the life of the child," she explained, emphasizing her priority of providing a secure and nurturing environment.
Commitment to Education and Future Prospects
Despite these challenges, Waje remained steadfast in her commitment to ensuring her daughter received the best possible education, viewing it as a cornerstone for a brighter future. "I had always said that my daughter would get the best education that I can afford," she affirmed, highlighting her dedication to breaking cycles of hardship through academic empowerment and personal resilience.
