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

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

When the Nigerian-American actor and singer Rotimi and the Tanzanian pop star Vanessa Mdee met for the first time in 2019, a love story began that they both had not expected.

an unexpected meeting

This first meeting six years ago could come directly from a romantic comedy. Both had just performed at the Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans and found themselves at the same after party from Spotify - neither of them was really enthusiastic about being there. But fate had other plans.

"She was sitting on a billiard table," laughs Rotimi. "The lights shone and beamed, and I thought: 'Wow, who is?'"

A friend of Rotimi made the connection, which had a intensive conversations for several hours. They became inseparable within a few days. A long -distance relationship - Vanessa in Tanzania, Roimi in Atlanta, Georgia, USA - began and she didn't visit long after. "I've never left again," smiles Vanessa.

The challenges of pandemic

Now that they have been together for several years, two children and a wedding, the power couple opened in a joint interview with CNN presenter Larry Madowo about love, legacy and a conscious life in faith.

While the Covid 19 pandemic forced many people worldwide, it became a holy time for Roimi and Vanessa. "I thank God, because he created a room in which we were able to get to know each other deeply and intimate," reflects Vanessa.

On the advice of Roimi, she booked a flight to the USA for a short vacation that became a longer stay due to travel restrictions. "If I had arrived a day later, we could not have seen each other during the nine months in which the borders were closed," she explains.

The lockdown forced them both to an urgently needed break.

The way to inner healing

"I stepped into the limelight at the age of 18, worked until my 30s and had never taken a break," added Vanessa. The time came Rotimi, who had just released his hit "In My Bed". "If the world had been open, I would have gone on tour and my head would have dealt with nothing else," he says.

This break made something more important than fame, the couple said. She led to a trip to faith, family and a deeper purpose of life. "God wanted me to come to rest and heal a lot of things," added Rotimi, saying: "He blessed me with the opportunity to get to know this woman."

from fame to faith

Vanessa, once one of the greatest music stars in East Africa, caused excitement in 2020 when she left the industry at the peak of her career. But this decision was not impulsive - it was deeply spiritual. "The music industry robbed me of my mental, spiritual, emotional and physical health in many ways.

"The music industry became extremely toxic for me to a certain point. I don't say that it is like this; it is my story."

Today she co-conducts " for the Better ", the non-profit wellness app and community of the couple, in which they look after women worldwide through Bible studies, prayer groups and now a women's conference. "I want everything I do, meaningful, targeted and effective," she adds.

a "royal marriage"

ROTIMI, whose full name is Olurotimi Akinosho, has accepted a life far from the ramp light, even though he continues to work on his career, among other things as Pastor Charles in the showtime series "The Chi" and through new music publications. "The task is to be a vessel," says the 36-year-old. "God works in a mysterious way; it is not a uniform approach - it is more of a reverse way."

Your love is both brave and deeply rooted. Married since 2021, they describe their relationship as a "royal marriage" based on their common faith. "We are not perfect," says Vanessa. "But we know who is in the center: God."

family life as a priority

"To create a strong basis for our children, a lot of time, commitment and presence is required - such as playing with the children, promoting their talents and creating a solid foundation in Christ," adds Vanessa. From loving music and wellness applications to Bible studies, it is clear that Rotimi and Vanessa are on a mission that corresponds to a deeper reputation. But when they were asked whether a ministerial activity would be 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 only know that everything we do is for his honor," adds Vanessa.