Simi Addresses Old Tweets Controversy
Popular Nigerian singer and songwriter Simisola Kosoko, professionally known as Simi, has responded to renewed scrutiny of her early social media posts. The attention followed her recent vocal opposition to sexual violence, which prompted social media users to resurface tweets she made between 2012 and 2013. In a statement released on Sunday, Simi clarified that these posts were misinterpreted and bore no relation to inappropriate behavior. She stressed that context matters, and the content reflected her life circumstances at the time rather than any misconduct.
The controversy reignited after Simi condemned rape during discussions surrounding the Mirabel TikToker case, a matter that gained rapid traction on social media. She stated that men should stop raping women and suggested extreme consequences for offenders, including castration. Her comments highlighted the prevalence of sexual assault among women, noting that nearly every woman she knows has faced such abuse. The singer’s forthright stance triggered online backlash, leading some users to dig through her historical tweets. Many of these posts referenced everyday observations from her time helping at her mother’s daycare, where she lived while building her music career.
Simi explained that the tweets were casual reflections on children’s behaviour and her personal experiences, not expressions of depravity. “Kids can be mischievous. If a child did something I found funny, I tweeted about it. Kids are cute and lovable. Nothing I tweeted was from perversion,” she wrote. She acknowledged that some of the posts had been deleted to protect her family from the sensitivity of the situation. Simi stressed that twisting her early posts to fit false narratives was unacceptable, reiterating that her public opposition to sexual violence has been consistent for years.
She further reinforced her position, highlighting that speaking out against rape and assault is not performative. “I have always spoken against rape and sexual assault, even before you knew I existed. It is who I am, not a costume I am wearing. I stand by my words,” Simi said. Her clarification has continued to generate discussion across social media, reflecting broader debates about celebrity digital footprints. Analysts note that historical social media activity can influence public perception, but context, intent, and personal growth remain critical in evaluating such material. For public figures, navigating the intersection of past expressions and present convictions presents both reputational risks and opportunities for advocacy.