In a fervent response to the recent online backlash, Nigerian singer Simi has addressed the resurfacing of old tweets that have ignited widespread criticism on social media. The controversy comes at a time when Simi is already under scrutiny for her vocal stance against rape culture, particularly in light of ongoing allegations involving fellow artist Mirabel.
The tweets in question, dating back to her early twenties, were brought to public attention, leading to heated discussions across various platforms. Simi clarified that these posts, penned during her formative years as she juggled her budding music career and assisting at her mother’s daycare, were innocent reflections of her everyday life, rather than anything inappropriate.
In a statement shared on Twitter, Simi asserted that her words had been misinterpreted and manipulated to suit false narratives. “I’ve never been depraved in my life,” she declared, firmly defending her character amidst the onslaught of criticism. She elaborated that her rise to fame has subjected her past expressions to misinterpretation, explaining that she never intended to obscure her personality or the authenticity of her youthful self-expression.
Simi disclosed that her team has begun removing certain tweets due to their sensitive nature for her family, although she initially hesitated to do so. “I haven’t been on Twitter today, but someone brought a few of my old tweets to my attention, and I can’t not address it. Fourteen years ago, I was 23, so I was definitely not a child. I’m not here to make excuses because I don’t have anything to make excuses for. What I can’t let anyone do is twist my story to fit false narratives,” she stated, emphasising her intention to set the record straight.
Reflecting on her past, Simi recalled her life in 2012, discussing her experiences while working at her mother’s daycare. “I tweeted everything that happened in my life, as we all did at the time. Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss, and cuddle them. I tweeted about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she insisted.
Simi acknowledged that had she been famous at the time, she might have understood the potential for her words to be misinterpreted. “You can retweet all the tweets in the world about me loudly crushing on people I admired, or being a cheeky young woman. I wasn’t trying to hide it because I don’t have anything to hide,” she affirmed.
The singer also reiterated her longstanding commitment to advocating against sexual violence. “I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault even before you knew I existed. It’s not a costume I’m wearing; it’s who I am. I’ve never claimed to be perfect. I’ve never claimed to know everything. I said stop raping women. I stand by it,” she concluded, reinforcing her dedication to this vital cause.
Simi’s statement comes in the wake of heightened scrutiny on social media, including remarks from music producer Samklef, who recently called for an apology from her family, asserting his role in her early career development. As the debate surrounding her continues, Simi’s response aims to clarify her past actions and reaffirm her commitment to fighting against sexual assault.
