Qing Madi, the popular Nigerian singer, whose real name is Chimamanda Chukwuma, has shared a candid insight into her contrasting public and private personas.
On the ‘Is This Seat Taken’ podcast, Qing Madi revealed that her confident on-stage persona is a far cry from her introverted and quieter self.
The 18-year-old singer confessed that performing makes her nervous, as it requires her to adopt a more confident alter ego.
She emphasised that this persona is different from her true self, who is more reserved and book-loving.
Chinasa asked, “Would you say that there are any differences between Amanda and Qing Madi?”
“I think so in terms of performance and confidence,” she began, “because the people that know me from my home know that I don’t like to talk at all. I have a mini library in my room right now so I’m just like, ‘books, books, books’ and I just bury myself and chill.
“Everything that has to do with coming out makes me nervous. But then, when it’s like, ‘You have to be Qing Madi now’ and I have to come on stage, my mum is like, ‘Who is that?’ I come on stage and I’m jumping, talking to the crowd and they’re responding, and I’m like, ‘Okay, this is a whole alter ego’. I think Qing Madi is a very confident person but that’s not who I am,” she stated.
Qing Madi also spoke about passion for classical ballet, which she sometimes incorporates into her music.
She shared fond memories of her ballet days, crediting the discipline with helping her build confidence and flexibility.
“I enjoyed it even more than music at some point. It’s one thing to suffer and it’s another thing for your friend to suffer with you. I loved it. I loved how I and my friends would cry from backaches; those memories of dancing in the church were beautiful. I loved ballet and I feel like it was a huge part of who I was. I love that it takes a lot of discipline. It’s not something just anybody can do, so it’s like a bragging right.
“Ballet helped with my confidence when performing on stage; it helped with my flexibility, obviously and it was my safe place. It still is,” she said.