Nigerian Afro-pop star Yemi Alade has opened up about a confusing and painful chapter in her life, one that left her battling depression for years.
In a revealing chat with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the Johnny crooner admitted that she once struggled to accept her real age, which sent her into a deep emotional crisis.
According to the singer, the discovery came as a shock that completely unsettled her mind.
She stated: “There was a time someone asked me my age, and for three years I kept saying I was 22. Then I realised I was actually 25. I took out my phone, did the maths, and when I found out the truth, I was depressed for a few days. My mind couldn’t take the reality. It was mental. For three years, I didn’t know my real age.”
The music star described the period as one of intense self-doubt and mental confusion. She admitted that her cheerful public image masked a reality she was struggling to face privately.
She added: “It was mental. I didn’t even know who I was at that time.”
Legit.ng earlier reported that Yemi Alade has made significant progress in her weight loss and self-defence program.
The 36-year-old started the program in 2022 and was on the verge of giving up due to the strenuous programs given to her by the instructors. The songwriter was poised to burn out excess fat following comments from fans and those close to her.
According to GistReel, the multiple MTV African award winner in a throwback video vowed never to return to the gym as she barely survived the session.
Meanwhile, the three-time AFRIMA award winner hinted that she is working on a big project.
In a post on Instagram, the two-time MTV Africa Music Award winner informed her fans that she is not in danger but danger herself.
Alade's first appearance in sports was during the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations, when she was featured alongside Magic System and Mohamed Ramadan on a soundtrack, "Akwaba," used as the official theme song, per Punch.
Watch the interview here:
“I kept saying I was 22 for three years, and when I realized I was 25, I was depressed for a few days,” Yemi Alade shares with me on what it felt like to suddenly realize how much time had passed.
— Chude Jideonwo (@Chude) October 23, 2025
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To watch, go to https://t.co/OC56JIkeon pic.twitter.com/HjVMDKoz55
