NIGERIAN AMERICAN actor Rotimi has opened up about why his wife, Tanzanian musician Vanessa Mdee, decided to quit her music career.
In an exclusive interview with African Folder, Rotimi
revealed that Mdee had been repeatedly approached with offers to practice
witchcraft to advance her career in the music industry.
According to Rotimi, Vanessa was presented with
numerous opportunities to elevate her music to the next level, but she chose to
decline these propositions.
The actor described practices such as juju, voodoo,
and black magic as hyper-real, acknowledging their perceived influence in the
entertainment world.
“When you're powerful, they can make it feel as if you don't go
with anything they say... And she didn’t sacrifice herself with witchcraft. She
has been approached to practice it to advance to the next level. It’s a real
thing. Witchcraft, voodoo, all of that is a real thing,” Rotimi explained.
He added that Mdee was presented with clear paths to
success in the entertainment industry, with people telling her:
"This is what we do. This is what you have to do
to get to the next level."
However, despite these offers, Mdee chose to remain
true to herself and refused to engage in such practices.
Rotimi also opened up about the mental toll the music
industry took on Mdee, mentioning how the pressures and struggles eventually
led her to a dark place.
“She got to a point where she was like I have to drink to get out
of my head. Liquor brought depression. At that point, she was like, 'This is
not me. I love music, but I hate the business. I can’t do it anymore.' That’s
how she let it go,” he shared.
The actor, who has been a strong pillar of support for his wife,
also touched on the spiritual aspect of their lives, expressing his belief in
God.
"Witchcraft, black magic, and voodoo are real. That’s why I
believe more in God,” Rotimi said.