Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage has opened up about her transformation from a laid-back tomboy to one of Nigeria’s most celebrated female sex symbols in music.
In a recent appearance on the Afrobeats Intelligence podcast hosted by Joey Akan, the award-winning singer recounted how her public image was completely overhauled after she returned to Nigeria to pursue a solo career.
According to Tiwa Savage, while working abroad as a songwriter, she often dressed in oversized clothes as a tomboy, far removed from the glamorous image fans associate with her today. The shift, she revealed, began after her ex-husband and former manager, Tunji Teebillz Balogun, saw potential in rebranding her as a bold, sexy pop star.
“I used to be in the studio in L.A. wearing baggy jeans and a t-shirt,” she said. “TJ literally changed that. He saw there was a gap in the market and told me, ‘You’ve got to lose weight, go to the gym, start waxing your eyebrows, wearing wigs.’ He changed my whole appearance.”
Tiwa recounted how the bold, sultry look she showcased in the music video for her 2014 hit Wanted sparked controversy at the time, especially as it came shortly after her marriage, when critics were quick to dismiss her career prospects.
“There was a lot of press saying, ‘She’s married now, she won’t be desirable anymore, her time is up,’” Tiwa shared. “I decided to shock them and did something crazy with Wanted. But honestly, I wasn’t naturally that sexy person, I was a tomboy.”
Despite the criticism and backlash she faced, including moments when show organizers allegedly sidelined her due to her daring fashion choices and even banning her videos from TV, Tiwa remained determined. She revealed how, at one point, several top Nigerian labels including Storm Records, Mo’Hits, and Banky W’s EME turned down her record deal requests.
Lastly, Tiwa also credited those early challenges for fueling her resilience and ultimately shaping the career that has made her a trailblazer in the Afrobeats industry.
“That was terrible… Naturally, I’m a tomboy.”
Tiwa Savage revisits the backlash she got for Wanted video. pic.twitter.com/NEMF7cOtdX
— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) June 20, 2025
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