My ex turned me from tomboy to diva – says Tiwa Savage

Tiwa Savage shares how she evolved from a tomboy into a global sex symbol, redefining African pop culture through music, fashion, and fearless expression

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]iwa Savage transformation story is one of evolution, rebellion and self-definition in the vibrant arena of Afrobeats and African pop culture.

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The Nigerian singer, known globally for her powerful vocals and stage presence, has opened up about her early image struggles and how her former manager and ex-husband, Tunji Balogun, played a major role in reshaping her public persona.

Speaking in a recent episode of the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast with Joey Akan, Savage recalled a time when she was far from the sultry image many now associate with her.

Back then, during her songwriting days abroad, she preferred oversized clothing and had no inclination towards glam or glossy appearances. “Naturally, I’m not sexy. I’m a tomboy,” she confessed.

The turning point came when she relocated to Nigeria to pursue a solo career as an artiste. Teebillz, as Balogun is popularly known, saw untapped potential.

He encouraged her to lose weight, embrace wigs, shape her brows, and take her styling seriously. His vision was to position her as an African counterpart to global icons like Rihanna and Beyoncé. Savage, trusting the process, went along with it.

However, the bold move drew strong reactions. From television bans to backstage snubs and moral criticisms, she faced backlash that nearly forced her back into the shadows.

“There was a time Love Me was banned on TV,” she recalled, adding that being rejected by every major label in Nigeria at the time almost ended her dream. Yet, amid the resistance, she found encouragement in the loyalty of her growing female fan base.

The Wanted music video in 2024 marked a key moment in her career. Savage saw it as a form of rebellion and an attempt to reclaim her power in the face of critics who dismissed her as outdated. It was more than a statement of defiance.

It was a declaration that she had arrived — not just as a singer, but as a cultural force who would no longer apologise for her choices or her body.

The Tiwa Savage transformation story reflects broader conversations about image, agency, and gender in the entertainment industry.

It highlights the cost of reinvention and the courage it takes to redefine one’s self, especially in an industry often shaped by rigid expectations.

Now, Savage stands not just as a performer but as a symbol of resilience and reimagination, having navigated an industry that initially tried to reject her.

Also read: Tiwa Savage’s sparks dating rumours with Usher in London

Her journey from baggy jeans in American studios to daring fashion statements on Nigerian stages continues to inspire a new generation of artists.

Oreoluwa Ojelabi

Oreoluwa is an accountant and a brand writer with a flair for journalism.