Renowned Nigerian fashion designer Veekee James has addressed the allegation that she “snatched” her husband, Femi Atere, the CEO of Mr Tidy NG, from her best friend.
The couple tied the knot in February 2024 in a lavish ceremony attended by close friends, family, and several celebrities.
Since their wedding, the marriage has attracted public attention, often overshadowed by the persistent claims that Mr Atere was snatched from a friend.
Speaking on “The Nancy Isime Show” posted on Instagram on Sunday, where she appeared alongside her husband, the designer admitted that the allegation took a toll on her.
Reflecting on its impact on both her and her marriage, the 30-year-old explained: “There was one that really hit me, and that was the period where we had to ask God to help us come out of it. Immediately, we came out of that one; that was the end, to be honest.
“It was a story about how I stole him (my husband) from a friend, and we’re sleeping with each other. You know, this is happening. So many of them were all lies and it almost put me in depression. That was like the first time in my life, I got to understand what people who say that they are depressed feel. I remember entering my room, and I didn’t come out for like two days.”
Prayers
Veekee James added that, during that period, she turned to God for strength to see her through the situation.
She recalled how she wept and prayed fervently.
“I told God, you know the story, if you know that these are all lies that they’re saying about us, help us get through this without ruining my brand. I remember praying and waiting on God for days. And the way he brought me out was like a miracle. Then I kept seeing story after story, and for some reason, it was just so easy for me to laugh about it. Most times, my brother would say, ‘Don’t look at them, don’t read the comments.’
“I’m like, no, I have to read the comments and go through it. Every time they say I am trending, I will go there to see what is making me trend. The places where I have to check and see if I’m doing too much here? Do I need to learn? I ask God to help me and guide me. It’s amazing. To be honest, I don’t plan to make a fun video with my kids where we’re dancing and we’re having fun, and then I’m hiding them”, she said.
Veekee James said she intends to raise children who will serve as role models in society.
She also spoke about how she met her husband, “I plan to have kids that will go out there, go around the world, and show their talents to the world. I don’t have kids that I’m going to hide.
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“When I met Femi, I knew that he was the one, but I wanted God to confirm that he was the one. And when he did, my ears were blocked. And they are blocked today and forever.”
Behind the scenes
However, Mr Atere described himself as a private person who found his identity reflected in others.
“I’m a BTS person, behind the scenes. You might see my wife all out, because that’s who she is, that’s the type of person she is. So I am just the reserved part, and I’m always behind her, 100 per cent. So whatever anybody says online, doesn’t really bother me”, he said.
This newspaper earlier reported that the couple credited divine grace for their ability to navigate negativity and maintained that criticism is an inevitable aspect of public life.