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Ugandan songstress Winnie Nwagi has shared an empowering message for female artists, urging them to embrace their age and not succumb to the ageist tendencies that are prevalent in the media and society.
Nwagi expressed frustration with how female musicians, particularly those who are older, are often subjected to criticism for growing older in the industry.
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Ageing is a Blessing, Not a Curse
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The 35-year-old strongly believes that ageing should be celebrated and not feared.
“What is wrong with ageing? It is a blessing, and if you do not want to age, you should die,” she remarked.
The Matala singer also addressed those who criticise her for being “old” in the industry.
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According to her, growing old is a natural part of life, and it should be cherished rather than condemned.
She also pointed out that it is the media’s and society’s ageist tendencies that make older female artists feel ashamed of their age, which should not be the case.
The Pressure to Hide Age
Many female artists, she said, have been pressured to hide their age or avoid celebrating milestones like birthdays after they reach a certain age, particularly after turning 30.
“I feel bad when I see musicians who are too scared to speak about their age. Many of them when they get to 30, they stop celebrating birthdays,” she said.
“But you forget that even those in their 20s will soon be 30,” she added, encouraging everyone to embrace their age, regardless of the number.
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Health and Wellness: The Key to Aging Gracefully
Rather than focusing on age, Nwagi encouraged her fellow musicians and women in general to focus on maintaining their health and wellness.
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“Just be healthy, work out, and be fit, especially the women who are married,” she advised.
For Nwagi, taking care of oneself physically and mentally is key to aging well and gracefully, and she believes that the music industry should focus on embracing this holistic approach to ageing rather than shaming older artists.