A social media post on Monday, November 24, 2025, by a user named 'Ndi Umunyarwanda' addressed renowned singer Teta Diana, urging her to get married. The message stated: “Teta, you've become old. I kindly ask you to get married.”
This comment followed the circulation of breathtaking photos from Teta’s performance at the 'Kigali Dutarame' concert, held in BK Arena on November 22, 2025. Known for her dazzling energy and musical prowess, Teta wowed her audience, reminding everyone why she remains an icon in the music industry.
Despite the unsolicited comment, Teta Diana, famous for her hit songs such as "Velo" and "Agashinge," refused to engage in the narrative that marriage should define her. In her signature bold style, she responded on X, saying, “Worry about yourself and your family.” This powerful reply quickly lit up the platform, becoming a hot topic among fans and supporters.
Teta’s statement serves as a significant stance against the persistent societal expectations placed on women regarding their personal lives, especially around marriage and having children.
Her response reignited broader discussions about the undue societal pressure women face—pressures tied to age, marital status, and personal decisions, which can often undermine their achievements and mental wellbeing.
Women Artists Battling Societal Judgments
African female artists, in particular, have often been at the receiving end of these pressures. It’s common for fans and media to shift their focus from these women's professional accomplishments to intrusive questions about marriage, family, and personal life. Artists like Teta Diana have frequently had to publicly address such comments to defend their independence and personal choice.
Tiwa Savage’s Stand on Gender Pressures
Tiwa Savage, a celebrated icon in African music, has faced similar scrutiny and has spoken openly about the unfair emphasis placed on her marital status.
She revealed how society equates a woman’s value to her marital achievements rather than her professional milestones. Speaking candidly, Tiwa shared, “The focus on a female artist often ignores her career achievements and instead revolves around her gender.”
After her divorce, Tiwa faced endless accusations of “delaying marriage” from fans and media, showcasing how women in the public eye are judged differently from men.
Yemi Alade’s Opinion on Marriage Pressure
Similarly, Yemi Alade, another powerhouse of African music, has consistently pushed back against the pressures tied to marriage. In 2023, she emphasized during an interview, “Being an artist is a profession, and it is not mandatory to always be questioned about not being married. Marriage is not a competition.”
Yemi shed light on the misconception that women’s lives are incomplete without marriage, calling for an end to the relentless societal expectations that push women to prioritize marriage over their professional growth.
Vanessa Mdee’s Mental Health Struggles
Vanessa Mdee, a household name in East African music, also opened up about the toll these pressures took on her well-being. Before stepping back from the music industry, Vanessa shared her struggles with constant questions about marriage and family life.
She revealed that the societal insistence on marriage started to impact her mental health, leading to difficult self-reflection about her career and her worth beyond societal standards. She candidly stated, “Society often views marriage as the ultimate solution to a woman’s life, and that perspective is deeply flawed.”
For Vanessa, like so many women, the narrative around marriage as a 'duty' caused her to question whether her worth as an artist was overshadowed by constant judgments about her choices.
Reclaiming Personal Freedom
These three empowering voices—Teta Diana, Tiwa Savage, and Vanessa Mdee—highlight a shared struggle against societal norms and gender-based expectations. All three have fiercely advocated for recognizing women’s personal and professional achievements, rather than limiting their identity to their marital status.
Teta Diana’s bold response serves as a reminder for society to focus on personal growth and stop imposing life choices on others.
Teta Diana wows fans at the 'Kigali Dutarame' concert in BK Arena, showcasing her unmatched talent.
Teta Diana used her platform on X to address outdated societal norms, redefining what it means to be a modern African woman in the spotlight.
As voices like Teta’s grow louder, they pave the way for a more inclusive society where women’s choices are respected, and their milestones—whether personal or professional—are celebrated equally.