Nigerian superstar Tiwa Savage has firmly denied the widely held belief among a section of the public that she deliberately released her 2021 sex tape to remain in the spotlight.
She has described such claims as both false and deeply damaging.
In a recent interview with U.S. radio station Hot 97, the award-winning artist opened up about the lasting trauma from the scandal, which began when a blackmailer attempted to extort her over the private video.
Savage refused to pay, and the clip quickly spread online.
“I was bashed for my sex video. A lot of people think I was just trying to get sympathy. Even people with platforms were quite horrible and blamed me,” Savage said, reflecting on the backlash she endured.
The singer, widely known as the “Queen of Afrobeats,” stressed that suggestions she intentionally leaked the footage were unfounded.
“I don’t know how they couldn’t see me as the victim in this. They said I did it to be relevant. If I were doing that, I would’ve been intentional about it. I would have used better lighting, lingerie, and my facial expressions would have been on point,” she said.
The Explosive 2021 Scandal
The controversy erupted in October 2021 when the video surfaced online after Savage revealed she had been targeted by a blackmailer. The clip, which showed the singer with her partner, went viral across social media platforms. Instead of sympathy, Savage faced harsh criticism and widespread victim-blaming.
Despite the ordeal, Savage has continued to dominate the music industry, releasing new projects and performing worldwide. Still, she admitted that the episode remains a source of personal pain.
The Afrobeats pioneer’s comments underscore the ongoing challenges female celebrities face when subjected to privacy violations, particularly in an era where viral scandals often overshadow artistic achievements.
