Why I walked away from friends — Ayra Starr’s mum

Nene Aderigbigbe, mother of Nigerian singer Ayra Starr, has revealed why she permanently severed relationships with three close friends, citing breaches of trust, inappropriate behaviour, and emotional exhaustion.

In a New Year reflection shared on TikTok, Aderigbigbe revisited past decisions and questioned whether she had overreacted before explaining the circumstances that led to the fallouts.

According to her, the first friendship ended after what she described as a serious breach of confidence. She said a private conversation she shared with the friend was later relayed to the friend’s husband without her consent, an action she found unacceptable.

“So I was reflecting on life, you know, it is a new year, and you want to reflect and see what you can correct,” she said. “I remembered that a few years ago, I cut off from a few of my friends. I don’t know if I overreacted, and do you know why I did it?”

She explained that she immediately cut communication after discovering the disclosure, adding that she had not spoken to the friend since.

Aderigbigbe said the second friendship ended due to what she described as inappropriate and uncomfortable contact from the friend’s husband, stressing that she did not welcome such interactions.

“The second person, I am your friend, why will your husband be telling me where he is travelling to?” she asked, noting that she felt disrespected and uneasy by the messages.

The third friendship, she said, was terminated because it became emotionally draining. Aderigbigbe recounted that the friend, despite being married for over 20 years, constantly called to complain about her husband.

“You have been married for 20 years and you are still calling me to complain about your marriage. What do you want me to do?” she said, adding that the repeated complaints took a toll on her mental well-being.

She disclosed that none of the three former friends were ever told the reasons she cut ties with them.

“So that is why I cut those friends off, and till today, they do not even know why,” she added.