Nigerian music star Tiwa Savage has opened up about her emotional struggle after giving birth, revealing that she felt disappointed and overwhelmed when she learned she had a son instead of the daughter she had hoped for.
In an interview with YouTuber Korty EO, Savage shared that her strong desire for a girl affected how quickly she connected with her baby, admitting that it took nearly two years before she felt a close bond with him.
She also spoke about how childbirth impacted her appearance and career, recalling that she lost a brand deal and felt as though motherhood had derailed her professional life.
Looking back, however, the singer said she is thankful, as her son has grown to become her closest companion.
“Honestly, I didn’t bond with my son for the first year or two. I always wanted a girl. They told me it was a boy, and I started crying.
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“So, when he came he was always crying and my body didn’t snap back. I looked horrible. I was supposed to do a campaign with Pepsi at the time and they turned me away. And I just thought this boy has destroyed me. But now, he is my best friend,” Savage said.
She also revealed that she regularly advises her son on how to treat women, drawing from her own painful experiences in past relationships.
“I always tell him, you mum suffered oo, make sure you treat any girl like a queen. It is very important for me to raise him as a good man. He is going to make mistakes, he is not perfect. But at the core of him, I want him to be kind,” she added.
Tiwa Savage welcomed her son, Jamil Balogun, with her former husband Tunji Balogun in July 2015, and he turned 10 in July 2025.
