Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has expressed frustration over the relentless criticism she faces regarding her fashion choices, particularly from Nigerians, which she attributes to societal expectations surrounding her age.
Speaking on a recent episode of the Receipts podcast, the 44-year-old singer and single mother opened up about the backlash she endures for wearing revealing outfits. She noted that the judgment she receives often comes with undertones of age-shaming, which contrasts starkly with how older female celebrities in other parts of the world are treated.
“They age-shame me every single day,” Savage said, candidly addressing the negativity. “They say, ‘A woman of your age, how can you be wearing a bikini?’ I can because I have a body.”
The singer’s remarks underscore the double standards that exist, particularly in African cultures, when it comes to how women are expected to present themselves as they grow older.
Tiwa also compared her experience to that of American singer Beyoncé, who, despite being in her 40s, is celebrated for her beauty and fitness. “Beyoncé is in her 40s and wears bikinis, but Americans don’t age-shame her. They would be like, ‘For her age, black don’t crack.’ It’s more celebrated when you look good in your older age,” Savage explained, highlighting the cultural disparities in how aging women are perceived. She expressed her desire for Nigerian society to adopt a more positive outlook on aging and beauty.
Addressing concerns about how her fashion choices might impact her son, Tiwa was unapologetic. “They [Africans] always throw these things like, ‘When her son grows up, he’s going to see this.’
My son is going to be like, ‘My mum is a powerful and beautiful woman.’” The singer’s response reflects her determination to set an example of confidence and self-assurance for her child, despite the criticism she receives.
Reflecting on her early career, Tiwa recalled how she was initially embraced by Nigerians as a role model. “When I came out, I was Nigeria’s sweetheart. I could do no wrong in their eyes. I did everything by the books—you know, I went to university, I wasn’t a baby mama. I got married, then I had a baby. I did everything in the right order, and everybody loved me,” she shared.
However, she noted that this love and admiration waned after her messy public divorce and the controversies that followed.
The fallout from her divorce marked a turning point in her relationship with the public. Tiwa recounted how her ex-husband publicly announced their split, leaving her to face the brunt of the backlash. “I started getting hate from blogs and certain people. He actually announced it online. I didn’t break up with him, but I was the one being attacked,” she said. “My baby was just a few months old, I was dealing with postpartum, and my body wasn’t the same. I was really depressed.”
Tiwa shared that things became even worse after she attempted to address the situation publicly. “After I did an interview to tell my side of the story, it got worse. People were like, ‘How dare you go and talk?’ ‘You’re a woman, and you’re supposed to build the house. It’s your fault,’” she recalled. The backlash from the interview further cemented her decision to remain silent on the matter moving forward.
She also revealed that prominent individuals had advised her against speaking out, warning her about potential damage to her public image. “I remember famous people calling me to ask how I could tell my side of the story because they said I’d never win. Ever since then, I’ve decided I won’t ever talk about the situation because it was very heartbreaking how the public took it,” she said, her voice tinged with regret.
Despite the challenges, Tiwa remains resilient, using her platform to advocate for change and to redefine the narrative around aging and womanhood. She believes that her experiences have made her stronger and more determined to challenge societal norms.
“I’ve come to understand that no matter what you do, people will always have something to say. You just have to live your truth and be unapologetically yourself,” she said.
For Tiwa, her journey is one of empowerment, resilience, and self-discovery. Through her music and her words, she continues to inspire millions of fans across the globe, even as she faces criticism. Her story is a testament to the power of perseverance in the face of societal judgment and personal trials.
