Nivea offered an important update on her health after being diagnosed with blood cancer.
“I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, “ the “Don’t Mess With My Man” singer, 44, revealed on the Tuesday, July 22, episode of Cadillac Chronicles. “I am so grateful to God. I am going through treatment.”
During the interview, Nivea confirmed that she started treatment for the blood cancer several months ago.
According to the Mayo Clinic, leukemia is a “cancer of the body’s blood-forming tissues” that develops when bone marrow produces an overabundance of white blood cells. Common symptoms include bone and joint pain, frequent infections, unexpected weight loss, recurrent nosebleeds and increased bleeding or bruising, among other warning signs.
Despite her diagnosis, Niveac assured Cadillac Chronicles host Brian Freeman that she was maintaining a positive outlook due to her deep spirituality.
“Everything is going great so far and I expect it to continue,” she said. “Amen. Amen. Amen! I’m very grateful for life. It’s so cliche 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 added, “I live in gratitude religiously. I’m just grateful for everything.”
Nivea told Freeman that she was keeping busy and even pursuing a music technology degree despite her illness.
“I’m doing things I want to do,” she declared. “I’m definitely back into my music. I’m going to school for audio engineering.”
The singer went, “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 mom of four — she shares daughter Navy Talia Nash, 21, and twins Christian and London Nash, 20, with producer The-Dream. The former couple were married from 2004 to 2008.
Following her split from The-Dream, 48, Nivea reconciled with ex-boyfriend Lil Wayne and they welcomed a son, Neal Carter, in November 2009. (Lil Wayne, 43, and Nivea broke up in 2010 but later reunited to perform the 2018 duet “Dope New Gospel.”)
Nivea is perhaps best known for her 2003 breakthrough single “Don’t Mess with My Man,” which featured brothers Brian and Brandon Casey from R&B group Jagged Edge. The track received a Best R&B Performance Award nomination at the 2003 Grammys and ultimately reached number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart.
She later scored minor hits with “Laundromat” and “Okay” in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Her most recent album, Mirrors, was released in 2019.
