Sophia Momodu has spoken about the emotional and psychological toll she experienced after becoming pregnant outside marriage, saying the backlash left her struggling to use her voice despite her public profile.
Momodu made the disclosure on Monday in New York while speaking at an event held around the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
She said being the daughter of a pastor intensified the criticism she faced after becoming pregnant by Nigerian singer David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido.
According to Momodu, the public reaction became overwhelming, with people mocking her over her pregnancy and using her family background to judge her.
“I am a pastor’s daughter who got pregnant out of wedlock by a global superstar. And I was mocked. It was crazy,” she said.
She said the experience forced her to confront the impact of sustained criticism while trying to rebuild her sense of self.
For a period, Momodu said, she found it difficult to speak openly despite being a well-known public figure.
“For a long time, I didn’t have a voice despite being famous,” she said, adding that the constant negativity left her worried and emotionally drained.
Momodu also pointed to the social expectations surrounding the children of religious leaders, particularly women.
She said having a child outside marriage was treated almost as a taboo because of her identity as a pastor’s daughter.
However, she said she eventually began to reclaim her voice after repeatedly being told to remain silent because of the circumstances surrounding her pregnancy.
Momodu is the mother of Imade Adeleke, her daughter with Davido.
Her appearance at the UN General Assembly comes as she increasingly presents herself beyond her association with the singer. She has been identified as the founder of the Precious Jewels Foundation, an organisation focused on supporting vulnerable women and children.
