Yemi Alade Reveals She Was Sexually Harassed by Music Executives as a Teenager

Nigerian superstar Yemi Alade recently revealed in a deeply candid interview that when she was still a teenager, she endured sexual harassment by music executives. She described how, early in her journey as a struggling young female artist, the biggest barrier she faced wasn’t lack of ability—but predatory behavior by people in power in the industry.

On a recent episode of the Swift Conversations podcast, Alade shared that record label executives, show promoters, and industry gatekeepers frequently crossed professional boundaries during meetings and studio sessions. Rather than valuing her talent, she said, “they wanted something else.”

She recalled moments where these executives would try to touch her inappropriately for instance, rubbing her thighs during what ostensibly were legitimate business discussions. As a teenager, the incidents would leave her frozen with shock.

Alade admitted that these repeated episodes made her question whether she should even continue in the music business. But despite the toxicity surrounding her, something within her refused to back down. She continued showing up to opportunities, even when some doors remained closed. Eventually, she realized that waiting for permission wasn’t enough: instead, she needed to break barriers. She said, in her own words, that she shifted from “walking through the doors” to “breaking down the walls.”

This isn’t the first time she has addressed such harassment. In earlier interviews, she also spoke about how some executives in the industry people she once looked up to made sexual demands. She stressed that when she sensed danger or discomfort, she would immediately distance herself rather than compromise her integrity.

Beyond her youth, Yemi Alade has pointed to another consequence of resisting such advances: she believes refusing to engage in sexual favors may have limited her career awards. In one interview, she said many opportunities — including recognition at award shows were withheld from her because she stood firm on her dignity. She has made it clear that while the pressure was real, she had no regrets about her choices.

Through it all, her resolve to remain true to herself, and her refusal to let predatory behavior define her career path, has become part of her strength. Her story is not just about survival, but about resilience — and asserting that success should not come at the cost of one’s self-respect.