Award-winning singer Tiwa Savage has opened up about her transformation journey in the music industry, revealing that she used to be a tomboy before her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji Balogun popularly known as Tee Billz, revamped her entire image.
In an interview, Tiwa detailed how Tee Billz played a key role in shaping her appearance to suit the demands of the Nigerian music market, urging her to lose weight, work out and embrace a glamorous look.
She said, “The sexiness in my 2024 single ‘Wanted’ music video felt groundbreaking at that time.
“Because I just got married and there’s a lot of press saying, ‘She’s not going to be desirable anymore. She’s finished. Her time is gone. There are new people on the scene.’ So, I was just like, let me do something crazy.
“That was me being rebellious. I was like, Oh! You guys think I’m not sexy anymore? To be honest, that wasn’t the aim, to just try to be sexy. Because naturally, I’m not. Naturally, I’m a tomboy.
“But again, TJ [Tunji Balogun] saw that there was a gap in the market and he was just like, you’ve to lose weight, you’ve to go to the gym, you’ve to start waxing your eyebrows. You’ve to start wearing wigs. He literally changed my whole appearance. I was not like that in L.A. when he met me.”
Tiwa, who once worked as a songwriter in Los Angeles before launching her singing career, said she was more comfortable in casual outfits.
“I used to be a songwriter in the studio wearing baggy jeans and t-shirt. And he literally changed that. I don’t think that he thought there was going to be a backlash. He was just like, let’s give them the African Rihanna or Beyoncé. I was like, okay, let’s go ahead. And we came back to Nigeria, but my fashion sense attracted criticism. Then, I ran back to L.A.”
She recounted the discrimination she faced over her appearance when she returned to Nigeria.
“I was really bad. I would go to shows and I would be waiting backstage and they wouldn’t call me because maybe the governor’s wife had said I can’t come up or they’d say, make sure you don’t wear any of those your skimpy dresses. I’m not making this up.
“There was a time, ‘Love Me’ was banned on TV. I was discouraged. I remembered Bizzle called me and told me ladies were loving me, so I came back to Nigeria. I’ve told the story where I went to all the labels and they all said no, Storm Records, Mo’Hits, Banky W’s EME, everyone.”
Tiwa Savage and Tee Billz got married in 2013 in a star-studded ceremony but parted ways in 2016 following allegations of infidelity and financial recklessness. Despite their separation, Savage has continued to dominate the African music scene with multiple hits and international recognition.
