Hatuachani! Rotimi puts breakup rumours with Vanessa Mdee to rest
By William Muthama, February 4, 2026American actor and singer Rotimi has shut down rumours suggesting he and Tanzanian songstress Vanessa Mdee are headed for a breakup, reaffirming that their marriage remains intact.
Speaking in an Instagram video on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, alongside his wife, the couple appeared relaxed, cosy and laughing together as Rotimi addressed the speculation.
The singer brushed off the claims, telling fans: “Ahh Watanzania, hatuachani kamwe… huyu ni mke wangu pekee, we are just chilling,” loosely translating to, “We are not separating… this is my only wife, we are just chilling.”
How the rumours emerged
Speculation about trouble in paradise began after fans noticed what they interpreted as reduced public interaction between the two on social media.
Some online users also questioned a romantic photo Vanessa shared, claiming it had previously appeared on Pinterest, sparking unfounded claims that the couple were no longer together.
As with many celebrity relationships, the silence that followed only fuelled gossip, with various blogs and social media pages suggesting a possible split without any confirmation from either party.
The speculations were further fuelled after Rotimi was spotted hanging out with a singer, Ronisia, at a Paris basketball game. Radio host Mkamburi Chigogo was among those who questioned the status of their relationship.
“Me and two others tunauliza aje, who is this woman?” she said.
“Vanessa Mdee yeye yuko nyumbani, she has now become a housewife,” the radio host added.
Love story and career
Rotimi and Vanessa Mdee began dating in 2019 after meeting in the United States, quickly emerging as one of the most admired cross-border celebrity couples between East Africa and the US. Their romance went public later that year, with both openly expressing their love on social media.
In December 2020, Rotimi proposed, and the couple took another step forward in building their life together. They welcomed their first child, son Seven Adeoluwa Akinosho, in September 2021, and later a daughter in 2023.
Mdee has won multiple awards, including Best Female Artist in East Africa at the All Africa Music Awards and several Kilimanjaro Music Awards, such as Female Artist of the Year and Best Female Entertainer.
In music, Rotimi has made significant strides as an R&B artist signed to 50 Cent’s G‑Unit Records, blending R&B with Afrobeat influences and building a dedicated fanbase. His music includes notable songs like In My Bed (featuring Wale), which has received international attention, and the popular track Love Riddim.