I’m proud of my nude pictures – Maheeda

Background
My name is Caroline Sam but my stage name is Maheeda. I am an orphan. I really did not know my mother and I never met my father. My mother died and I was all alone. When I was 14, I decided to hit the streets and I started fending for myself. I did a lot of funny jobs. Worked as a bar attendant, waitress and was a prostitute just to survive. Along the line I got pregnant. I am just a very strong woman who is trying to make a difference. Maybe I started off not too good, I have realised that whatever happens in your past, you have to use it in a positive way that will benefit you and your family.

Me and music
I have always loved music and attention. I started about ten years ago. I don’t have any albums yet but I have quite a number of singles. All I can say is that the way I want to do my thing is not acceptable in Nigeria. It has been hard and it’s still hard for me to achieve. Currently, I am in Nigeria to spend Christmas and I am also seizing the opportunity to shoot a video for my single, ‘Naija bad girl’. Apart from music, I am also a model and acting is another passion of mine.

Nude pictures
It is deliberate. I know what I am doing. The pictures are not targeted at anything. It is all about attention and there is no mistake about it. This business of music is called show business and I am convinced I am on the right track. I owe no apologies. I just realised this way will be a faster hit than any other way. The pictures are working for me.

Criticisms
In this life, everybody gets criticised whether you do good or bad. I have read and heard so much about me that I am now used to it. Thanks to them, they have helped me develop a thick skin.

Relationship
I am married and my husband is Dutch. What I am doing is not alien to him or his family and he understands. I met him at a bar when he just came to Nigeria. We are happily married. Even before we got married, he understood my kind of person. He was aware of my vision. He has always been supportive. He just laughs whenever he comes across any of my pictures. It’s in Africa that we attach much importance to such things and consider it sacrilegious.

My daughter can’t do this
I am 31 and I had my daughter when I was 17. I do not think this is going to affect her in any way. If my mother did something like this; there is no way it would have affected me. My daughter is not even aware these nude pictures exist even though she has seen pictures of me in bikini. She is not even allowed access to the social media. Even if she gets to view them eventually, it’s not going to mean anything to her because she has the European mentality.
When my daughter is 18, then she can decide what she wants. Currently, she is under my care and I won’t let her do what I am doing. Nude pictures and music So far, it has worked and it’s still working. As you can see, there’s so much attention on me. All of a sudden, people want to listen to my old singles and are looking forward to my debut album.

Friendship
I have quite a few of them. Don Jazzy is my friend, Olamide and Phyno just to mention but a few. Gospel artistes? No, but I became a born-again Christian and decided that I wanted to continue with secular music. Whether people accept it or not, I am a born- again Christian and that is why I describe my music as honest music. I am not perfect but I’m just living my life in the best possible way….

Style
I like to feel comfortable. When I dress, I want to be me not caring what the next person thinks. I also like to go to the gym to keep fit. When you are fit, clothes look fabulous on you.