Nigerian singer Simi has responded to criticism following the resurfacing of a controversial tweet she posted in 2012 about a four-year-old child, which recently reignited debate across social media platforms.
The controversy began after online users rediscovered an old tweet in which the singer jokingly described a young boy’s affectionate behavior toward her, writing that he often came close, acted like he wanted to kiss her, and rested his head on her lap, before adding, “P.S: He’s 4.” The post quickly circulated online, prompting backlash from some users who questioned the appropriateness of the joke, while others defended her, saying it was made more than a decade ago.
In response, Simi released a detailed statement to clarify the situation and defend her intentions. She explained that she was working at her mother’s daycare at the time and often shared everyday experiences online.
“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,” she said.
She emphasized that she was an adult at the time and rejected any attempt to misrepresent her actions. “14 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.”
Providing context, the singer said her tweets reflected innocent moments involving children in her care. “In 2012, I lived and helped out at my mom’s daycare while I was hustling my music… Kids are cute and lovable. I want to hug, kiss and cuddle them. I tweet about it. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion.”
She also addressed the decision to delete some of the old posts, saying it was done out of consideration for her family. “My team has been deleting some of my tweets because of how sensitive it is for my family. To be honest, I did not want to.”
Reaffirming her stance and personal values, she added, “I’ve never been depraved in my life… I wasn’t trying to hide it, because I don’t have anything to hide.”
The incident has sparked widespread discussion, highlighting how past social media posts can resurface and affect public figures years later. While some critics maintain their concerns, many supporters have accepted her explanation, viewing the tweet as an innocent joke taken out of context.