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“I Didn’t Know My Real Age for Three Years” — Yemi Alade Opens Up About Her Silent Battle with Depression
Afro-pop powerhouse Yemi Alade has peeled back the layers of her public persona to reveal a deeply emotional chapter in her life, one marked by confusion, self-discovery, and silent struggle.
In a heartfelt conversation with media personality Chude Jideonwo, the Johnny crooner opened up about a period of her life when she unknowingly battled depression after discovering that she had been living with the wrong perception of her age for years.
According to Yemi, the realization struck like a lightning bolt.
“There was a time someone asked me my age, and for three years I kept saying I was 22,” she recalled. “Then I realised I was actually 25. I took out my phone, did the maths, and when I found out the truth, I was depressed for a few days. My mind couldn’t take the reality. It was mental. For three years, I didn’t know my real age.”
The singer described how something as seemingly trivial as her real age spiraled into a deep emotional struggle one that left her questioning her sense of self and identity.
“It was mental,” she said softly. “I didn’t even know who I was at that time.”
Behind the bright stage lights and her ever-cheerful public image, Yemi Alade revealed she was fighting an internal battle, juggling her rising fame with moments of intense self-doubt and confusion.
Her story offers a rare glimpse into the emotional pressures of celebrity life, where the need to stay strong and joyful often conceals private battles. Yemi’s honesty reminds fans that even those who inspire millions are not immune to moments of fragility and mental exhaustion.
Through this revelation, the award-winning artist has not only shared her pain but also reaffirmed her humanity, a powerful reminder that growth often begins with vulnerability.
“I kept saying I was 22 for three years, and when I realized I was 25, I was depressed for a few days,” Yemi Alade shares with me on what it felt like to suddenly realize how much time had passed.
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To watch, go to https://t.co/OC56JIkeon pic.twitter.com/HjVMDKoz55— Chude Jideonwo (@Chude) October 23, 2025