Popular Afrobeats singer Tiwa Savage has shed some light on one of the biggest struggles faced by women in the entertainment industry. She recently opened up about female singers being pressurized to exchange sex for opportunities.
Speaking at a panel session during Entertainment Week Africa, Tiwa disclosed that she endured many cases where male executives tried to take advantage of her before granting her access to shows, gigs and deals.
According to her, some influential male figures went as far as insisting that she must visit them privately before she could be added to certain lineups.
Tiwa stated that she once lost a major endorsement deal because she refused to travel to Dubai with the company’s co-owner.
“I had been told that if I don’t go and see ‘this chairman’ personally, I would not be put on a show.
I lost an endorsement because I refused to go to Dubai with a man who is one of the owners of the company,” she said.
The “Somebody’s Son” crooner further noted that the encounter made her realize that many of these executives only valued her body, not her actual talent.
Tiwa concluded by clarifying that she only focused on flaunting her body as part of her branding as an artist.
“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,” she added.
