I thought Motherhood Would Derail My Career — Tiwa Savage

Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has made a deeply personal revelation, admitting that giving birth felt like it almost destroyed her career.

Speaking in a recent interview with popular content creator Korty EO, Tiwa described the emotional and professional challenges she faced after welcoming her son, Jamil Balogun, in July 2015 with her then-husband Tunji “TeeBillz” Balogun.

Tiwa Savage revealed that she wasn’t immediately excited about becoming a mother, in fact, she said she cried upon learning she was having a boy, having always hoped for a daughter. She also admitted she struggled to bond with her son during the early years, reflecting honestly on a period that many parents might find familiar: “I didn’t bond with my son for the first year or two,” she said, acknowledging the complex emotional journey that many women face after childbirth.

But it wasn’t just emotional, Tiwa described how the physical changes she experienced after giving birth visibly affected her opportunities. She recalled losing a major brand endorsement because her body did not “snap back” as expected, and business partners reportedly backed away. At the time, she felt like it signalled the end of her career.

“Honestly, I thought my career was over after childbirth,” she confessed, explaining how this loss of opportunity made her feel at odds with her professional identity.

Such comments underscore the intense scrutiny female artists often face regarding their looks and marketability, a pressure that extends beyond music into endorsement deals and media narratives.

Today, Tiwa says her perspective has shifted dramatically. Her son, whom she once struggled to bond with, is now her best friend. She also spoke about how motherhood has influenced her approach to raising her son, emphasizing respect and kindness, particularly toward women, lessons drawn from her own relationships and personal growth over the years.

Despite the early hurdles, Tiwa Savage remains one of Nigeria’s most successful artists, with a career spanning international tours, chart-topping releases, and a powerful cultural influence both at home and abroad.

Her openness about struggling with the emotional and professional realities of motherhood adds a nuanced voice to discussions about women in entertainment, particularly around the often difficult balance between personal life and a demanding public career.