Popular Nigerian singer Yemi Alade has revealed how she overcame a short-lived cigarette addiction during her teenage years, explaining that she quit after realizing it was harming her health and affecting her voice.
In a candid conversation with Chude Jideonwo, the Johnny crooner shared that she developed the habit while in university but decided to stop when she noticed how dependent she was becoming.
Alade admitted that, despite keeping her smoking habit private, she often felt conflicted about it and eventually realized it was not a lifestyle she wanted to maintain.
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“Some people say I don’t smoke, I don’t do this, I don’t do that. When I was in the university, I tried smoking. It didn’t work out. But before it didn’t work out, it worked out a bit too much,” she confessed. “I started needing to smoke before I went to bed. I was getting addicted to that lifestyle. But in public, I would hide the cigarette.” She said.
The award-winning singer explained that the secrecy surrounding her smoking habit made her uncomfortable and forced her to question her choices. She decided that any habit she could not comfortably own up to in public was not worth keeping.
“So, I was like, what’s this life? The discomfort that I can’t go to bed without smoking and then when I go out, I have to hide the cigarette? As a teenager in the university trying to figure out life, I made a decision that if I have to hide to do something, then I won’t do it,” she said.
Yemi Alade further revealed that smoking began to take a toll on her health, especially her vocal cords, which are crucial to her career as a singer.
According to her, the realization that smoking was damaging her voice gave her the final push to quit.
“They are not for me. And they harmed me; they affected my voice anyway. So I stopped. Smoking for me did not last up to a year,” she added.
Her honesty about the brief but impactful phase in her life has resonated with fans, many of whom praised her for being open about her struggles and for choosing a healthier path.
Yemi Alade’s story serves as a cautionary tale to young people experimenting with habits that could have long-term consequences.
Her decision to prioritise self-awareness and health reflects her maturity and discipline, qualities that have also helped sustain her successful career in the music industry.
Over the years, the singer has continued to advocate for self-love, discipline, and authenticity, themes that often reflect in her music and public life.
Her openness about her past struggles offers inspiration to fans who may be battling similar issues, proving that change is possible with determination and self-awareness.
