Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee: A love story with faith and purpose

Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee: A love story with faith and purpose

When Nigerian-American actor and singer Rotimi and Tanzanian pop star Vanessa Mdee met for the first time in 2019, a love story began that neither of them expected.

An unexpected meeting

That first meeting six years ago could have come straight from a romantic comedy. Both had just performed at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans and found themselves at the same Spotify afterparty - neither of them really excited to be there. But fate had other plans.

“She was sitting on a pool table,” laughs Rotimi. “The lights were shining and shining and I thought to myself, 'Wow, who is that?'"

A friend of Rotimi's made the connection, which led to several hours of intense conversations. Within days they became inseparable. A long-distance relationship began - Vanessa in Tanzania, Rotimi in Atlanta, Georgia, USA - and she came to visit not long afterwards. “I never left again,” smiles Vanessa.

The challenges of the pandemic

Now with several years together, two children and a wedding behind them, the power couple opened up about love, legacy and living a conscious life of faith in a joint interview with CNN host Larry Madowo.

While the Covid-19 pandemic forced many people around the world into inaction, it became a sacred time for Rotimi and Vanessa. “I thank God because he created a space in which we could get to know each other deeply and intimately,” reflects Vanessa.

On Rotimi's advice, she booked a flight to the US for a short vacation, which turned into a longer stay due to travel restrictions. “If I had arrived a day later, we would not have been able to see each other during the nine months that the borders were closed,” she explains.

The lockdown forced them both to take a much-needed break.

The path to inner healing

“I came into the spotlight at 18, worked until my 30s and never took a break,” adds Vanessa. The time also came in handy for Rotimi, who had just released his hit “In My Bed”. “If the world had been open, I would have gone on tour and my mind wouldn't have been occupied with anything else,” he says.

This time off allowed something more important than fame to grow, the couple said. It led to a journey into faith, family and a deeper purpose in life. “God wanted me to rest and heal many things,” Rotimi added, saying, “He blessed me with the opportunity to meet this woman.”

From fame to faith

Once one of East Africa's biggest music stars, Vanessa caused a stir in 2020 when she left the industry at the peak of her career. But this decision wasn’t impulsive – it was deeply spiritual. "The music industry robbed me of my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health in many ways. I turned to many bad vices," she says.

"To a certain point, the music industry became extremely toxic for me. I'm not saying that's the case for everyone; it's my story."

Today she co-directs “ For The Better ", the couple's nonprofit wellness app and community where they minister to women worldwide through Bible studies, prayer circles and now a women's conference. "I want everything I do to be meaningful, purposeful and effective," she adds.

A “Royal Marriage”

Rotimi, whose full name is Olurotimi Akinosho, has embraced a life away from the spotlight, although he continues to work on his career, including as Pastor Charles in the Showtime series "The Chi" and through new music releases. “The job is to be a vessel,” says the 36-year-old. "God works in mysterious ways; it's not a one-size-fits-all approach - it's more of a reverse approach."

Their love is both bold and deep-rooted. Married since 2021, they describe their relationship as a “royal marriage” based on their shared faith. “We’re not perfect,” says Vanessa. “But we know who is at the center of everything: God.”

Family life as a priority

Together they raise two children and navigate a cultural household in which Yoruba, Swahili and American traditions harmonize. “The children know that they are 50% Tanzanian and 50% Nigerian and they can be proud of that,” says Rotimi. “It’s about giving our children roots and wings.”

“Building a strong foundation for our children requires a lot of time, commitment and presence – like playing with the children, nurturing their talents and creating a solid foundation in Christ,” adds Vanessa. From loving music and wellness treatments to Bible studies, it's clear that Rotimi and Vanessa are on a mission that corresponds to a deeper calling. But when asked whether a ministerial role was in their future, they were unsure. “It would be unwise to say no now, but it is too early to say yes,” says Rotimi. “I just know that everything we do is for His glory,” Vanessa adds.