Nigerian singer Waje has opened up about why she kept her daughter away from the public eye during the early years of her career, explaining that the decision was rooted in a desire to shield her child from intense media scrutiny.
Speaking during a conversation on Shaffy Bello TV, the award-winning vocalist recalled how the rise of celebrity blogs and gossip magazines created a climate where personal details about public figures were constantly hunted and sensationalized. At the time, Waje had already become a young mother long before she achieved widespread fame in the Nigerian music industry.
According to the singer, the curiosity surrounding her personal life was overwhelming, with tabloids particularly obsessed with discovering the identity of her daughter’s father. To avoid exposing her child to the harsh spotlight, Waje deliberately kept her daughter, Emerald Iruobe, out of public view for several years.
The singer explained that she refrained from sharing photos or information about her daughter because she wanted to prevent gossip platforms from exploiting her child’s image or turning her into a topic of speculation.
“I never put out her picture initially. I didn’t want anybody to know what she looked like. You know that was when blogs started, and you would literally see ‘who is Waje’s daughter’s father’ on a magazine. You have to protect the people you love. Regardless of how much of a superstar you are, you have to protect your child,” she said.
Waje eventually decided to introduce her daughter to the public once she felt the timing was right and her child was mature enough to handle the attention. By doing so, she ensured that the reveal happened on her own terms rather than through unauthorized photos or gossip headlines.
The singer said controlling the narrative was important to her as a mother, emphasising that fame should never come at the expense of a child’s privacy and well-being.
Waje welcomed her daughter at the age of 18, years before her breakthrough in the Nigerian music scene in her late twenties. Over time, she has become one of the country’s most respected vocalists, known for her powerful voice and contributions to contemporary African music…….See More
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