“They said I look like a footballer, my body is too hard, my back is too flat” – Wiyaala

Singer and songwriter Wiyaala has opened up about how Ghanaians bodyshamed her in the early days of her music career.

Wiyaala shared her disappointment with Ghanaians who didn’t embrace her music at first.

She recalled hurtful comments about her physique, with people questioning her femininity and comparing her to a footballer.

“…is she not a footballer? They were talking about how I’m going to beat somebody, my body is too hard, my back is too flat and my body is too hard.”

Despite the rejection, Wiyaala used the negativity as fuel to push forward. She focused on the people who appreciated her music, both in Ghana and abroad.

Instead of compromising her style, Wiyaala followed her instincts and concentrated on her international fanbase.

In 2012, Wiyaala emerged victorious in the Vodafone Icons Reality Show. Her talent caught the attention of Rita Ray from BBC’s Global Beats in 2014, propelling her into the spotlight as one of Ghana’s foremost media figures.

She has graced performances for esteemed figures such as Kamala Harris, the Vice President of the USA, and showcased her talent at notable events including the Commonwealth Games 2018, The African Union in Addis Ababa, SummerStage 2022 in New York, and WOMAD UK, among others.