ATLANTA —
When Rotimi spotted Vanessa Mdee at a party in New Orleans in 2019, he wasn’t looking for love. Neither was she. But that night, under the dim lights of a Spotify afterparty, something clicked.
“She was sitting on a pool table,” the Nigerian-American singer and actor recalled, laughing. “The lights were hitting just right, and I thought, ‘Who is this?’”
What followed was a long conversation, a surprise connection, and eventually, a deep love that would change the course of both their lives. Six years later, the couple is married, raising two children, and building a life grounded in faith.
In their first-ever joint interview, Rotimi and Tanzanian singer Vanessa Mdee sat down with CNN’s Larry Madowo to reflect on their journey—from global fame to personal transformation.
A Quiet Love in a Noisy Time
Their romance deepened during one of the world’s most uncertain moments: the Covid-19 pandemic. Vanessa had flown from Tanzania to Atlanta to visit Rotimi for a short holiday. But when international borders closed days later, that quick trip turned into months.
“If I’d been a day late, we wouldn’t have seen each other for almost a year,” she said. “That time together changed everything.”
Rotimi, known for his role on Power and hit songs like In My Bed, had just released new music. But with tours cancelled and life paused, he found time to reflect.
“God wanted me to sit still and heal,” he said. “And He blessed me with the chance to learn this woman—to really know her.”
Vanessa, who started her music career at 18, said the lockdown brought much-needed peace.
“I’d been going non-stop for over a decade,” she said. “This was the first time I slowed down. And in that silence, I began to understand what mattered most.”
Walking Away from the Stage
By 2020, Vanessa shocked fans when she stepped away from music. At the peak of her success, she chose a quieter path.
“The industry was taking a toll on me,” she said. “Mentally, spiritually, emotionally—I was exhausted. I needed to heal.”
Her decision wasn’t sudden. It was prayerful. Thoughtful. And it led her to a new calling.
Today, she co-runs For The Better, a Christian wellness app that offers prayer circles, Bible studies, and mentorship to women worldwide. It’s a space she describes as purpose-driven.
“I want everything I do now to be meaningful,” she said. “To uplift. To honour God.”
Rotimi continues to act and release music, but his focus has shifted too. He currently stars in The Chi and is working on new music. But he sees his work as more than entertainment.
“My job is to be a vessel,” he said. “God moves how He wants. I just have to be ready.”
A Marriage with a Mission
They married in 2021 and call their union a “kingdom marriage”—one centred on faith.
“We’re not perfect,” Vanessa said. “But God is at the centre of it all. That’s what keeps us grounded.”
The couple is raising two young children in a culturally rich home. Yoruba, Swahili, and American influences mix around their dinner table.
“They know they’re 50 percent Tanzanian and 50 percent Nigerian,” Rotimi said proudly. “We want to give them roots and wings.”
Both are committed to being present parents, even in the spotlight.
“It takes time and intention,” Vanessa said. “But we’re building a foundation of love, faith, and values that will last.”
Looking Ahead
Asked if ministry could be in their future, the couple paused.
“It would be foolish to say no,” Rotimi said with a smile. “But it’s too early to say yes.”
For now, they say, their mission is to serve through their gifts—be it music, acting, or mentoring others.
“I just know that whatever we do,” Vanessa added, “it’s going to be for His glory.”
