Nigerian music icon Tiwa Savage has spoken out against the pervasive nature of exploitation in the country’s music industry, revealing personal experiences of being pressured to offer sexual favors in exchange for career opportunities.
Speaking at a panel discussion organized by Entertainment Week Africa, Savage detailed instances where her professional opportunities were contingent upon compromising her values.
Losing Deals for Refusal
Savage shared shocking experiences of the expectations placed on female artists by influential male executives.
“I had been told that if I didn’t go and see ‘this chairman’ personally, I would not be put on a show,” she revealed.
The pressure extended beyond local appearances, costing her major endorsements:
“I lost an endorsement because I refused to go to Dubai with a man who is one of the owners of the company.”
The star confessed that these experiences led to the painful realization that her talent was being overlooked in favor of her physical appearance, despite her efforts to use her body merely for artistic branding.
“That was when I realised that they don’t value my talent but my body, which I was only flaunting as part of branding. It ended up hurting me because that is all they were seeing.”
Tiwa Savage’s brave revelation highlights a dark, ongoing reality within the industry, underscoring the urgent need for systemic change and better protection for female artists who are frequently vulnerable to harassment and exploitation.
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Source: Africa Publicity
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