Shaddy Boo has hacked the art of “life-work balance”, or rather “motherhood-fame balance”, wouldn’t you say? The 32-year-old is among the most followed and popular celebrities with over 2 million followers on different social media platforms.
Her birth name is Shadia Mbabazi. One would say she was the beginning of social media fame. She has been active on Rwanda’s entertainment scene for over 10 years now and continues to be a hot topic for tabloids. She is also a mother of two daughters, a six-year-old and a four-year-old.
Shaddy Boo says she is a home’s mother and a very protective one. You will often find her cooking for her daughters and doing their hair in their home. That is when she is not traveling, partying, or in photo shoots.
In an interview with SENS, Shaddy Boo said she carefully monitors what her daughters watch and their screen time. She says she might be making a living on social media but she knows how deteriorating it can be for children.
“I don’t allow my daughters to use social media. They can only watch videos on YouTube and I use a parental guideline system to set and monitor what they watch.
I know they will need more freedom as they grow but now, they are just too young to use social media and what it exposes children to. Even more so for them because of my fame,” Shadia responds.
Shaddy Boo has been co-parenting her two daughters since 2016 when she divorced her husband Meddy Saleh, a producer and filmmaker. The divorce followed rumors that the Instagram-famous mother was in an undisclosed relationship with Tanzanian star Diamond Platinumz who had performed at the East African Party in Kigali the year before. Diamond even invited her to participate in the final challenge of his song “Jibebe.”
The scandal made her gain heightened fame both in Rwanda and in the region, and everything that comes with fame; rumors, lies, paparazzi photos, and much worse.
“There I took my daughter to the hospital with her father and a newspaper published that we were there for a DNA test. It can be unbearable sometimes.
Being famous was one of the biggest blessings of my life. I enjoy the attention, the adverts, and the lifestyle that comes with it. But it is nothing compared to the joy I get from being a mother. It is my life’s priority to make sure my daughters have a good life.”
She adds: “I try hard to separate my family life and the social media scandals and media rumors. I easily get annoyed when people bring my family into the mess.”
Shaddy Boo and her daughters live in Kigali but her celebrity status takes her around the world. A lifestyle she says she enjoys but has to often make sure it does not keep away from her daughters.
Shaddy Boo was born in Nyamirambo in the heart of Kigali. She is the firstborn in a family of four. Her introduction to fame was in 2012 when she was featured in King James’ music video “Buhoro Buhoro” which was directed but Meddy Saleh who would later father her children.
Shaddy Boo spoke to SENS during an evening party. Like many mother celebrities, she continues to enjoy the messy, beautiful tapestry of fame and motherhood.
1 Comment
Big up Shaddy, you are such a great mother despite the way your lifestyle stories are comprehended.
And for you Patience keep this up. I love reading your pieces.