- The revelation came during an interview with zero conditions podcast after the declined an offer for a cup of alcohol from one of the hosts
- Surprised, the host asked if she had stopped drinking, to which she said yes, explaining that it wasn’t difficult because she had only started drinking in 2021.
Teni disclosed that, although working in the music business for many years, she did not smoke or drink alcohol until 2021.
This surprise admission came during her recent interview on the popular Zero Conditions Podcast, when she denied one of the hosts’ offer for a drink.
The host, surprised, inquired whether she had stopped drinking, to which she replied that she had, stating that it wasn’t difficult because she had only begun drinking in 2021.
Teni was prompted to relate her origin story by the host, who looked shocked.
She said:
“I began drinking in 2021. I’m a naturally adventurous person. I’ve been in this industry for six years without drinking or smoking. I started drinking for fun, and the first time was in Lagos.
“At home, I thought, ‘You guys are always getting drunk, what does it feel like? Let me just try it.’ So, I drank Henny, but I didn’t get drunk. I was waiting for it to happen, but it didn’t, so I just went to sleep. Everybody was like, ‘Aaah, Teni.’”
Teni continued by explaining that she stayed away from alcohol even while attending the University of Georgia in the United States, where she was under continual pressure to do so.
“I didn’t drink while I was in school. Do you know what school I went to? The University of Georgia, it’s a football school, and there’s a lot of pressure to drink, but I didn’t. I only ever do what I want to do. In all the videos and skits where I hold a cup, it’s usually juice or water,” the singer added.
This information was made public following Teni’s July 2023 diagnosis of a potentially fatal throat illness that caused momentary voice loss. In September 2023, following surgery and a hospital stay, she made the decision to give up alcohol and stay away from anything that would jeopardize her singing voice once more.
