Nigerian music sensation Tiwatope Savage, widely known as Tiwa Savage, has shed light on the traumatic experience surrounding her 2021 leaked sex tape, revealing that its circulation was the result of a bet. During an candid interview on ‘The Breakfast Club’, Savage described the incident as one of the most agonizing moments of her life, detailing the profound impact it had on her personal life, burgeoning career, and mental well-being. She also disclosed her decision to remain celibate for the past three years as a coping mechanism and a step towards healing.

Savage initially attempted to navigate the scandal with a facade of humor and by channeling her intense pain into her music. However, she acknowledged in hindsight that these efforts only provided temporary relief, and the deep emotional scars from the ordeal persisted. “When I talked about the sex tape … that’s how I was able to kind of like, try and get through it. But in hindsight, did I really deal with it? I don’t think so. I was hurt… I was a victim,” she reflected, underscoring the enduring trauma.

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The Afrobeats star further explained the shocking discovery about how the tape came to be public. Her then-boyfriend initially claimed it was an accidental leak, stating he inadvertently pressed 'send' while trying to save it. However, Savage later uncovered the distressing truth: the tape had been shared as part of a wager with his friends. This revelation compounded her pain, as it exposed a betrayal that was far more deliberate than initially portrayed.

Adding to her distress, Savage faced widespread public speculation and judgment, with many wrongly assuming she orchestrated the leak for publicity. She vehemently refuted these claims, stating, “They thought I did it for PR. A lot of people thought, ‘Oh, she’s not relevant anymore, and she’s doing this.’ And I’m like, guys, trust me, if I wanted to do that, I would have had better lighting.” She admitted attempts to further discuss the issue publicly proved too traumatic, leading her to simply want to move on from the harrowing experience.

Among the various forms of backlash, Savage found the attacks linking the scandal to her son to be the most unbearable. Accusations of being an unfit mother deeply wounded her, surpassing the pain of the leak itself. The ordeal continues to cast a shadow over her professional life, making some of her own songs too painful to perform.

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Despite the immense trauma, Savage credited her family, particularly her mother, for providing crucial support during her darkest hours. Recalling a pivotal moment, she shared, “My mom called me and said, ‘Don’t listen to them. I’m just happy that you’re enjoying yourself.’ Hearing my mom say that helped.” She also highlighted the significant role of therapy in her ongoing healing journey and confirmed her three-year celibacy, emphasizing a newfound priority for meaningful connections over casual physical intimacy. With a touch of humor, she quipped about her current single status, “I don’t know if I don’t come attached. I’ve gone like maybe three years without. I have to be with someone for me to even think about it. I don’t have toys; maybe that’s what people should get me for Christmas.”