Nivea has shared a significant update regarding her health following a blood cancer diagnosis.
On the Tuesday, July 22 episode of Cadillac Chronicles, the 44-year-old singer of “Don’t Mess With My Man” disclosed, “I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year. I am so grateful to God. I am going through treatment.”
In the interview, Nivea confirmed that she began treatment for the blood cancer several months ago.
The Mayo Clinic describes leukemia as a “cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues” caused by an overproduction of white blood cells in the bone marrow. Symptoms often include bone and joint pain, frequent infections, unexplained weight loss, recurrent nosebleeds, and increased bleeding or bruising.
Despite her diagnosis, Nivea assured Cadillac Chronicles host Brian Freeman that she remains optimistic thanks to her strong spirituality.
“Everything is going great so far and I expect it to continue,” she expressed. “Amen. Amen. Amen! I’m very grateful for life. It’s so cliché to say, ‘You don’t know the time nor the hour,’ but it’s true. It just helped me put a lot of things into perspective.”
The musician continued, “I live in gratitude religiously. I’m just grateful for everything.”
Nivea shared with Freeman that she keeps herself busy and is pursuing a degree in music technology despite her illness.
“I’m doing things I want to do,” she said. “I’m definitely back into my music. I’m going to school for audio engineering.”
Nivea attends the 17th Annual Soul Train Music Awards on March 1, 2003. Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images
The singer added, “I’ve always wanted to learn how to engineer, how to mix and engineer, in particular. In general, I’m just doing all the things, honey! I’m loving all my children and just being grateful. I’m taking every opportunity that comes my way!”
Nivea is a mother of four, sharing daughter Navy Talia Nash, 21, and twins Christian and London Nash, 20, with producer The-Dream. The couple was married from 2004 to 2008.
After her separation from The-Dream, Nivea reconciled with her ex-boyfriend, Lil Wayne, and they had a son, Neal Carter, in November 2009. (Lil Wayne, 43, and Nivea separated in 2010 but later reunited to perform the 2018 duet “Dope New Gospel.”)
Rapper Bhad Bhabie received an update in her ongoing cancer battle. “Bad news from my doctor yesterday,” Bhad Bhabie, 22, wrote via X on Saturday, February 28. “God has the last say so, not my cancer.” Bhad Bhabie, who did not elaborate further or offer additional updates, announced her diagnosis in November 2024. “I’m sorry […]
Nivea is widely recognized for her 2003 hit single “Don’t Mess with My Man,” featuring Brian and Brandon Casey from the R&B group Jagged Edge. The track was nominated for a Best R&B Performance Award at the 2003 Grammys and peaked at number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
She also achieved success with “Laundromat” and “Okay” in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Her latest album, Mirrors, was released in 2019.
