I wanted girl-child, struggled to bond with my son – Tiwa Savage

Afrobeats superstar Tiwa Savage recently opened away about her emotional journey after the birth of her son, Jamil Balogun, in 2015. Speaking on the FlowWithKorty podcast, the 45-year-old singer admitted that she initially struggled to bond with him for nearly two years. This disconnect was rooted in her strong desire to have a girl, which led to immediate disappointment during her pregnancy.  

The singer detailed how her postpartum experience was further complicated by the physical and professional toll of motherhood. After her body failed to “snap back” quickly, she lost a major campaign deal with Pepsi due to her changed appearance. This professional setback led her to feel, at the time, that her newborn son had negatively impacted her career trajectory.

Tiwa Savage shared the raw emotions she felt during that period of her life. “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,” she revealed. She explained how his constant crying and her own physical changes created a difficult distance between them.

The loss of the Pepsi deal was a particularly low point for the artist as she navigated her new reality. “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,” Tiwa Savage said.

Now, the singer is deeply focused on Jamil’s character development, drawing from her own personal hardships and past relationship trauma. She frequently reminds him of the struggles she has faced to instill a sense of empathy and responsibility. Her goal is to ensure he grows into a man who values and honors the women in his life.

Regarding her parenting approach, she emphasizes the importance of kindness and chivalry. “I always tell him, your 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.

Beyond her role as a mother, the interview touched on her private life and the difficulties she has faced in romance. Tiwa Savage confessed that she has generally been unlucky in her relationships, with the exception of one late lover. Despite these challenges, her bond with Jamil has evolved into the most significant friendship in her life today