Nigerian artist Simi has recently confronted a wave of online criticism following the resurfacing of her old tweets, which have sparked heated discussions on social media. This backlash coincides with Simi’s outspoken opposition to rape culture, especially in light of ongoing allegations involving fellow artist Mirabel.
The tweets, written during her early twenties, have been scrutinised by netizens who have twisted her words to fit misleading narratives. In response, Simi clarified that these posts were innocent reflections of her life while she was building her music career and helping at her mother’s daycare, rather than anything inappropriate.
“I’ve never been depraved in my life,” Simi proclaimed in a statement on Twitter, defending her character against the barrage of criticism. She explained that her newfound fame has led to her past expressions being subjected to misinterpretation and that she never intended to conceal her true self.
In her statement, Simi revealed that her team has begun to delete some of her older tweets due to their sensitivity for her family. However, she was initially reluctant 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 emphasised.
Reflecting on her past, Simi recalled her experiences while working at her mother’s daycare in 2012. “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 stated, aiming to clarify her intentions.
Simi also acknowledged the potential for misinterpretation that comes with fame. “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, seeking to establish her authenticity.
Furthermore, Simi reaffirmed her 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, reiterating her dedication to this crucial issue.
Simi’s statement comes amidst growing scrutiny on social media, including comments from music producer Samklef, who recently called for an apology from her family, asserting his influence in her early career. As the online debate continues, Simi’s response seeks to clarify her past actions and reinforce her unyielding stance against sexual assault.
