Nigerian singer, Joy Eseoghene Odiete, popularly known as Jodie has given an insight into the state of her mind following her split from Nollywood actor and producer, David Nnaji.
Speaking publicly for the first time about the split, the Kuchi Kuchi singer told The Nation, that she battled depression for a long time.
“After crying my eyes out, I tried to numb the pain, so I got a job far away from home, so that I would commute to work very early in the morning and commute back late at night – plus the Lagos traffic – exhausted. It gave me some false comfort, so that I’d be too tired to think and continue the cycle the next day,” she revealed.
“I didn’t know I was depressed after a while. I even shaved my hair at some point – I thought it was a fashion statement (I really like hair) – that’s after I had gone blonde. Sometimes, I would put on very heavy make-up, just to add some ‘colour’ in my life. I was restless.”
Jodie explained that her emotional turmoil came to an end when she turned to God and started doing the things she loves, which includes getting back into the studio to record her EP, Songs of Truth.
“I was that way until, one day, still on the job – I had gone to Abuja for an assignment. I was walking back to the hotel I was lodged in, then I found myself praying this so-called prayer. It was full of bitterness and anger – asking God to punish those I believed had hurt me.
“Then, it was like someone spoke to me in my heart, saying, ‘but, is that what you really want?’ I paused. I then started walking slowly, I was now speaking out, softly, I said, ‘Actually, that’s not what I want, I just want them to see things through my perspective.’ After which, I continued the rest of the prayer, still walking, asking for peace of mind and help to forgive and move on.” I believe that is where healing began.
“I started afresh, like a child – I went back to my church choir. I continued with my hobbies – crafting and all. I even learnt a new skill (product formulation from Eudokas Beauty Institute) and opened a natural hair care brand called Kuchi Kuchi – of course, I grew my nappy hair back, and by the way, it is long again.
“I decided to sing some songs I’ve always wanted to sing, hence my new EP, ‘Songs of Truth’ I decided to live again and by the help of God and with gratitude in my heart, I am living again.”
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The singer who was one the favourite finalists in the premier edition of Idols, West Africa and David Nnaji tied the knot at a traditional event which held in Delta State in October 2015.
The marriage was short-lived, after the birth of their son with special needs called Chinau in April 2016. Speculations of a separation first became public notice in July, 2016.
By 2018 it was apparent that the two had separated after Nnaji announced he had welcomed a baby girl with another woman.
