For Nigerian Afrobeats star, Tiwa Savage, her 2021 sensational sex tape was leaked as part of a bet.
The musician, who made the revelation during an interview with The Breakfast Club, aired during the week, also disclosed that she has remained without sex for the past three years.
Describing the experience as one of the most painful of her life, Tiwa Savage admitted that the scandal affected her personal life, career and mental health. She, however, said she succeeded in channeling the pain into her songs. “When I talked about the sex tape … that’s how I was able to kind of like, try and get through it. But in hindsight, did I really deal with it? I don’t think so. I was hurt… I was a victim.”
Tiwa explained further: “He (my boyfriend) said he was trying to save it, and then he pressed send by accident… I later found out that it was a bet with his friends.
“They thought I did it for PR. A lot of people thought, ‘oh, she’s not relevant anymore, and she’s doing this.’ And I’m like, guys, trust me, if I wanted to do that, I would have had better lighting.”
According to her, she made attempts to pursue the case but failed due to the emotional toll. “We tried, actually. But yeah, we couldn’t. And me trying was just… it was just too traumatic for me to keep talking about it. I just wanted to move on from it.
“They brought my son into it and said I was unfit… my son’s gonna grow up and see this, and he’s gonna be disappointed in his mom. That hurt me more than the actual thing.
“There were a lot of times I was crying, especially the first record. That took me like four attempts to record. Even now when I listen to the album, I skip that. I haven’t been able to perform it. It was tough. My mom called me and said, ‘don’t listen to them… I’m just happy that you’re enjoying yourself.’ Hearing my mom say that helped.”
Speaking about life, love and sex, the singer said, “For therapy, yeah, a lot of people say to me you’re wasting your money. I’m like, what? I love my son; I love my team, my friends. I’ve been married before; I’m 45, I’m good.
“I don’t know if I don’t come attached. I’ve gone like maybe three years without… I have to be with someone for me to even think about it. I don’t have toys… maybe that’s what people should get me for Christmas.”