Regarded as one of the most important Afrobeat artists of the 21st century, Davido has built himself into a widely recognized and respected name beyond the genre, but within the industry at large. The Nigerian singer, songwriter and record producer has been nominated for three Grammy awards and made history with his single “Fall,” the longest-charting Nigerian pop song in Billboard history.
With a reign so immense, it’s only right that Davido have a loving partner at home holding it down. However, when it comes to love stories, he and celebrity chef Chioma Rowland have seemingly been through it all, though it looks like they’ve finally got their happily ever after. Set to get married on June 25th, 2024, here’s a breakdown of their tumultuous journey thus far and an update on where they are today.
How Did Chioma Meet Davido?
Though Davido is one of the biggest names in the music industry today, at one point, he was just a Babcock University student with a dream. He spotted Chioma one day while on campus at their private Christian Nigerian university in 2013 and was smitten at first sight, recounting, “I remember the day I saw her. I can never forget it. I was in a Prado, and I looked behind and I saw this girl walking. Just there with her bag, it was Chioma. I told Lati omo I like that girl, go and call that girl for me. He called her but she did not answer me at the time. Later on, she came to Lagos and we linked up. And I was like, yeah, I got you.”
Chioma, a Nigerian citizen born in Owerri, Imo State, in the Igbo tribe, was studying Economics at the time. Currently, she runs a catering business and models on the side.
With small appearances on his Snapchat and rumors swirling of their romance, things didn’t become publicly official until 2018, when Davido hard launched his girlfriend in true superstar style: making her the female lead in the video of his hit song “Assurance,” which he penned for her. With a connection nothing short of romantic, by the end of 2019, the two were engaged and parents to their newborn baby boy, David Adedeji Ifeanyi Adeleke Jnr. Their story sounded like a classic happily ever after— until tragedy and scandal broke.
What Happened to Chioma and Davido?
In 2022, when Baby Ifeanyi was barely three years old, he tragically drowned in the family’s home pool while Chioma and Davido were away. The news brought mourning to the community at large, who rallied around the parents to offer their condolences and support.
Grieving the loss of their son, Davido took a long hiatus before returning to the spotlight, sharing that he and Chioma had married in a private ceremony. While it seemed like they were on the road to healing, things certainly intensified when rumors of infidelity began to swirl. Davido and Chioma’s relationship was once again tested when several different women came forward with pregnancy claims.
What Happened With Anita?
One of the women who accused Davido of getting her pregnant was American model Anita Brown, who claimed to be in an on-again-off-again relationship with the singer after meeting in Dubai in 2017. After insulting and speaking ill of Chioma, Brown publicly apologized to his wife, stating “I regret that I let my pain and feelings of betrayal allow me to turn myself against another woman. So, I apologize to Chioma.” She also claimed it was never disclosed that he was married and that after impregnating her, he obligated her to terminate the pregnancy.
These claims have never been publicly acknowledged, verified nor discredited by Davido, though he’s had a few more to combat. US-based model Bonita Maria shared intimate photos of the two, hinting that he was unfaithful to Chioma while she was pregnant with their twins, who were born in October of 2023. Despite all of the rumors threatening to tear their union apart, Chioma and Davido celebrated the birth of their boy and girl a year after their son’s tragic death.
Is Davido Married to Chioma Now?
After a long and bumpy road, Davido and Chioma are finally set to hold a traditional wedding in a major way. On June 23rd, 2024, Davido released official pre-wedding photos for the wedding ceremony with the hashtag #CHIVIDO2024, which will be held on June 25th. Since the announcement, the internet has been buzzing about the wedding. It’s been reported that his close friend and bodyguard Lati is set to be his best man on the special day, amidst a surely star-studded guest list.
As they take a bold stance in another chapter of their love, Davido and Chioma stand as a testament to weathering the storm. Surviving tragedy and infidelity, the family of four have risen above it all and ultimately still chose each other.