Nigerian music star Yemi Alade has spoken candidly about the sexual harassment she experienced while starting out in the music industry.
In a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, the “Johnny” singer recounted how, as a teenager, she often encountered inappropriate advances from music executives during studio sessions and professional meetings. Despite her talent, she found herself in situations that left her shocked and uncertain about how to respond.
Alade explained that she entered the industry relying solely on her abilities, without financial backing, and faced the harsh reality that her skills alone were sometimes not enough to gain recognition. “There were doors I needed to walk through, and when I approached them, they didn’t want my talent—they wanted something else,” she said.
Reflecting on her early struggles, Alade revealed that harassment made her question whether to continue pursuing music. Yet, she persisted, showing up consistently and seizing opportunities when they arose.
The singer emphasized that her breakthrough came when she realized she needed to be proactive in creating her own path. “I had to stop simply walking through doors and start breaking down walls,” she said, a determination that eventually propelled her to success in the industry.