Controversial singer and self-acclaimed Naija bad girl, Maheeda is a social media phenomenon who needs no introduction. Born Caroline Sam, she is best known for her controversial pictures. In this interesting interview with CITY PEOPLE , the pretty lady Maheeda shares her motivation, admiration and all that keeps her going on the controversial path she has chosen.
The nude pictures of you often on social media, what are they all about?
Attention! Just drawing attention to myself.
Why?
Because I know people will love it.
Does it mean your music can’t get you the attention you want?
I tried, it didn’t work.
Really, my music didn’t sell. I didn’t make money.
So, you feel uploading your nude pictures online is the right thing to do?
I don’t know if it is the right thing to do but we all take risk. I just tried it, and it worked.
Has your music career experienced any uplift then?
Yes, definitely.
Did you consider the negative impact, that it will damage your personality?
Yes, I did. People are too scared to take risk, if you want to take risk it’s like going into an airplane and you are like it is going to crash? you just have to go, if you won’t go to anywhere. So I wasn’t really thinking or worried about the other party. I am just concerned about the positive result or feedbacks that I will get.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in the past?
There are lots, I just really want to survive, considering where I am coming from, being an orphan, I am not really educated. I stopped schooling in JSS2, So, I was wondering what can I do, sit in an office, go to Mr Biggs and work, I said to myself no, I think I have to do what I have to do. The only thing that is really working for me now is not even my voice can I sing like Tiwa Savage, but my body, so if this is a gift I have from God, then I will use it well.
At what age did you start having sex?
I started having sex when I was 16, and after then, I just went gaga. I hit the streets because, then it was just boyfriend, teenage school kind of things and after then I just realized I really need help, I couldn’t pay for my school fees anymore, my mum died and my guardians also were broke, they were really facing hard times, so I decided I am going to use my body.
You were once into prostitution?
Actually, first of all, I was an house help, then I tried working at the club, as a bar tender but luckily for me where I was selling drinks, I see all these club girls came around and I felt they weren’t as beautiful as I am and seated are the guys ordering me around, you know as a bar tender. So, I concluded I could do it to like the club girls, I left the bar tending job, trying to do what they do. It was still in my first year of trial that I met my man, who is my husband now, So, I didn’t even really last long in that clubs girls hustle. My husband’s approach then was like hey what is a beautiful girl like you doing at a club like this, so I started explaining my life and he said I am going to give you hope, till today, we are still together.
How much were you paid back then for your first sexual business encounter?
I can’t remember, no I can’t remember.
What basically gave you that impression you could do music?
During school days, when I was still in Nursery school, we do these cultural dance when we do end of the year party. I loved being the centre of attraction, then attention, I always want o have the Microphone and sing plus, I also liked giving special numbers in Church. Yeah, it all started during school days.
Do you still go to church?
Yes, of course, but I can’t remember the last time I went though.
What state are you from?
I am from Edo State, they said. They said my father is from Edo State.
Tell us the development that has happened to your musical career now?
Right now, I have a tour in Australia and before then, I was in Paris, and Rome. Though the internet, people contact my management that ok we want this lady. What I did in Rome was just guest appearance, sit by some big boys and hold champagne before you know it, I am paid $3,000. So that came about the influence of the pictures and what I did on the internet, I am making money but what I am doing in Australia is like a tour, I am just going to perform.