My celibacy fluctuates, Iyanya opens up on healing, dating, fame

Nigerian singer, Iyanya, has admitted that maintaining celibacy has not been consistent for him, opening up about the personal struggles he faces with relationships and emotional healing.

The 39-year-old made the remarks during a recent interview on the Afropolitan Podcast, published on the show’s YouTube page on Thursday.

“Man, you see, my celibacy fluctuates,” he said.

Iyanya explained that it comes in phases.

“It goes up and down. Sometimes you go, ah, celibate. Then you run into this girl again. It’s crazy. She gives you all the reasons why you shouldn’t be celibate, except to get married,” he sais.

He added that marriage is not his immediate focus.

“I don’t even think of that. But you meet this girl and everything about her says, ‘Why are you celibate, this guy?’ You do what you have to do, then you start missing the celibacy again,” he said.

The singer said honesty now guides how he relates with people.

“When I meet people now, I don’t say, ‘I’m crazy about you.’ I say, ‘Listen, I’m healing oo. Don’t expect so much from me. I’m not there yet,” he explained.

He admitted he handled relationships differently when he was younger, saying “Before, I’d just say what you want to hear. Now, I say, ‘I’m not in that space.’”

Iyanya stressed that he avoids leading people on emotionally, adding, “I’m not going to lie to you or play with your emotions. If you’re there, I’m not there. If you’re patient enough for me to get to a convenient space, then we can do it.”

Describing commitment as difficult, he said, “One of the hardest things is being committed. I’ve been committed severally as a famous guy, and it always hurts.”

According to him, fame adds pressure to relationships.

When you’re famous, you always have girls. They can’t wait to go to the blogs when you have problems, even people you love.”

Iyanya, who has spent 17 years in the industry, said he still has emotions.

“I’m 39 now. It’s not possible to be in this industry this long and just be having fun. Of course, I have emotions.”

Emphasising his humanity, he added, “I’m a human being. I’m just like you. The same problems you have, I have.”

He concluded by addressing the pressure of dating as a celebrity.

“You date somebody, you’ll have issues, and someone will always threaten to go to the blogs. How do you balance that?”

Culled from punch