“Beyoncé wears bikinis, and they celebrate her but they backlash me” – Tiwa Savage
Tiwa Savage spoke candidly of how people are still judging what she wears, even more so now that she’s older. The renowned 44-year-old signer who is known for her unapologetically bold style and chart-toppers, discussed age shaming and double standards in her recent appearance on the Receipts podcast.
Tiwa went further to explain how international icons like Beyoncé, in their 40s, can be quite daring in their fashion. Still, as soon as she does those same things, she receives backlash here in Nigeria: “They age-shame me every single day,” said Savage, explaining the cultural dynamic around how age and style are received differently in Nigeria compared to the West. “Beyoncé wears bikinis, and they celebrate her. For me, they question, ‘How can you wear this at your age?’ But I wear it because I have the body for it,” she added.
This is certainly not the first time that Tiwa has received criticisms for the way she presents herself. Early in her career, she met with a lot of resistance, sometimes with promoters refusing her gigs because of dressing “too risqué.” She remembered people telling her she was “too n@ked,” but she was not wearing anything overly revealing. But, that did not stop Tiwa from embracing her unique style as another form of artistic expression.
The backlash also carries over into how it could be perceived by her son someday. Tiwa was quick to dismiss that kind of critique, insisting she was proud to serve as a strong and confident role model. “My son will see me as a powerful and beautiful woman,” she said confidently.
Tiwa Savage’s story tells of the greater struggle women in the limelight go through, especially within cultures when traditional expectations clash with modern-day expressions of one’s identity. But she continues with her advocacy of her bold choices to represent her art and personal empowerment, unbridled.
Through trials like this, she’s grown to be an international ambassador for Afrobeats and an irrepressible cultural icon celebrated for her genuineness.
Watch the video below:
