Rwandan singer Vestine Ishimwe poured her heart out on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, sharing emotional and revealing words: “This life I’m living now is not the one I chose. I’m in a bad place, and I didn’t deserve this… No man will ever lie to me and ruin my life again.”
Her statement reflects the pain of someone navigating heartbreak while embracing the determination to start anew. Vestine is stopping at nothing to rebuild her self-worth and life after betrayal.
In her reflection, Vestine stated that she has chosen to exercise caution and will carefully analyze anyone entering her life before granting them a place in it.
While reflecting on the lessons surrounding family life, she remarked, “The next man I choose, I will first take time to understand him—know his character, his family, his values, and his life in general. No one will use or play games with me again.”
This powerful resolution seems rooted in the painful lessons she has faced over recent months, further highlighting her journey of empowerment.
Interestingly, these candid revelations have sparked considerable debate, as they come merely months after Vestine's much-celebrated July 5, 2025, wedding to Ouédraogo. The glamorous ceremony, held at the Intare Conference Arena, was filled with joy, flowers, and promises of marital bliss.
Unfortunately, as Vestine admitted, the first three months of marriage proved to be “a tough lesson in life.”
In an interview with MIE Empire, Vestine elaborated that marriage feels like “entering an unfamiliar country,” demanding openness, adaptation, and learning. Her honesty and metaphors have resonated on a deep level with her followers.
“I haven’t figured everything out yet because I haven’t spent a lot of time in this commitment. I wouldn’t tell people ‘it’s like this or that’ because that would be pretending to be an expert. Getting married is like going to an unfamiliar country, where you have to study and adapt—it was hard for me, I won’t lie,” she explained.
Vestine also took the time to impart wisdom to her younger sister, urging patience in making life-altering decisions, particularly about marriage.
She said, “I thought about the life I had with Dorcas, and because my mother always gave me advice, I could adapt without issue. My dear [Dorcas], don’t rush to marry while still too young; take your time. If you get married young, I’ll reprimand you and hit you with a stick. For me, it was God’s plan.”
Though humorous, her statements revealed the profound truth derived from her firsthand experiences in her marriage.
Vestine’s younger sister, Kamikazi Dorcas, also opened up about her struggle to accept her sibling’s marriage.
She shared, “When the wedding happened, I couldn’t process it; it wasn’t real to me. It happened on Saturday; I went to school on Monday, and on Wednesday, I had national exams. I couldn’t adjust. My mother noticed I wasn’t eating and would tell me, ‘Come to the table, or Vestine will think you’ve abandoned her.’”
She added, “I couldn’t call her at night because she became someone’s wife. We used to sleep in the same room and pray together. Suddenly, I felt alone as she was not there anymore. Even though I didn’t lose her entirely, the connection changed—I felt she wasn’t fully present.”
Dorcas explained that her inability to cope led to an emotional breakdown. “I became very depressed and even called my mother at 3 a.m., asking her to call Vestine because I needed to talk to her,” she recalled. With time, Dorcas sought support by staying at Vestine’s house, where she slowly started recovering.
Despite these struggles, Vestine and Dorcas are currently in Canada, engaging in music projects and meeting fans. Their next move involves returning to Rwanda, where fans anticipate hearing more about their endeavors.
While Vestine has chosen not to divulge too many details about her marital issues, her recent statements indicate she is navigating a challenging period of self-discovery and empowerment.
Although she has not revealed much in detail, her words show that she is going through a difficult moment in life—caught between accepting her situation and finding the strength to start anew.
She also hints that she may have decided to pursue the path of divorce, as she has already deleted their wedding photos and removed the name she had adopted from her husband.
Efforts by InyaRwanda to speak with Irene Murindahabi, the group’s manager, as well as with Ishimwe Vestine herself, were unsuccessful.
Vestine shared this message, which has stirred reactions across social media, just six days after her group, Vestine and Dorcas, announced their upcoming song “Usisite,” expected to be released soon after their arrival in Rwanda.
