“I Feel Jealous Of Tiwa Savage” – Maheeda On Envy, Religion And Growing Up Poor

       

Caroline Sam, popularly known as Maheeda, is a model, actress, singer and an orphan.  The 30 year-old entertainer recently posted her nude pictures on the net and that attracted derogatory reactions from the public.
In this interview with ENCOMIUM Weekly, Maheeda stated point blank that she has no apologies for posting such obscene pictures.  She was quick to add that she did it for a reason and the result has been favourable.

Read excerpts from the interview:
Have you always wanted to do music as a child or it came along the line?

I have always wanted to do music but the basic thing is stardom. I wanted to be somebody and as an orphan without a family I needed to make something out of my life.  So, that actually pushed me into music.
Maheeda

You were once a gospel artiste, what happened?

I think what happened was just spiritual maturity.  At a stage in your life, you have to take a break and grow up or else everything will just be wrong.  I needed to grow spiritually.  Christians call it born again.  I am standing in the gap not for Christians or for Muslims.
Maheeda

At the point you attained spiritual maturity, did it work?

It worked.  I just discovered a light because in every light there is a greater light.  Some Christians just stop halfway, that is why they remain poor but you have to make something out of it.  You need to study well if you really need something and God will show you how to make it.
Maheeda

You sound very religious?

Yeah, of course, I am religious because I still believe in God and nobody can take that away from me.  Jesus is the best thing that happened to my life.
Maheeda

Do you belong to any religious sect?

No.  This Sunday I go to Christ Embassy, next Sunday I go to House on the Rock or even Redeemed.  I am just anywhere Jesus is.  When it comes to my music, I am in the middle because I have fans that are Christians, Muslims, lesbians and gays.
Maheeda

As a born again, it appears you don’t have a problem exposing your body.  Why is that?

True, I don’t have a problem doing that but I think it is because of my job and I know most Christians won’t understand it.  But I just believe that this is what I have to do, to get attention, especially when it comes to my job and I just believe His grace is enough for me.  He loves me more than my ‘nakedness’. If you see God as a Father because He sees you as a daughter, I would not because of your nakedness want to ruin you or kill you.  That is how I see God.  He understands me.  He hates me but He loves me at the same time.
Maheeda

I understand you are married, are you still with your husband and does he support your career?

I am still very much in my marriage and my husband does not have any problem with what I am doing. He supports me.
Maheeda

From observations, it was discovered that there is a kind of rivalry between yourself and Afrocandy.  What is going on?

I really don’t know, maybe she feels threatened.  I used to feel threatened as well, it is normal. Sometimes I feel jealous of Muna, Tiwa Savage.  I feel like why are you having all those things which I don’t have.  It is just normal but it is the ability to control it that really matters.
Maheeda

Recently, on Instagram you posted a picture of you and your 13 year-old daughter.  Can you tell us a bit about her?

Her name is Divine Favour. I gave her that name because when I was pregnant, I was 17 and was almost like a virgin who did not really know how to wash herself.  I went to church and told God, I want you to do me a favour, I want to give birth normally and it worked exactly how I asked God to do it.  I gave her that name because I asked for favour and I got it.  I really want her out of my life drama because I want her to take decisions.  This was not what my mom did, she was a very quiet and reserved person and look at me, I’m like a mad woman but she did not choose it for me.  I made my decision and whatever comes with it, I would face it.  So, I want to teach my daughter how to make a choice, stand by it and see what comes out of it.  Whatever I do now, good or bad, I don’t want her to follow my footsteps. If good, fine but if bad she will not take it.  I am not afraid of risks.
Maheeda

Maheeda & her daughter

So tell us, where do you make your money?

(Laughs) I make my money from shows, invitations.  Some people invite me and I get paid just to sit down and drink, take pictures for birthday parties, weddings and many more.  Sometimes, I perform, sometimes I don’t. I also do modelling. In Holland, I did two modelling jobs, one cost about N2 million and the other was close to a million naira.
Maheeda

How would you describe your survival story?

I don’t know what to say but all I know is that growing up was very hard.  There were times I had to sleep on the streets, I am an orphan, I have been an house girl and I did a lot of menial jobs but I thank God for where I am today.
Maheeda

Credit: Encomium