Lagos, Nigeria – October 4, 2025 – In a bombshell confession that’s sent shockwaves through the Nigerian entertainment scene, singer Seyi Shay has publicly admitted to once being a member of the infamous Illuminati secret society, shedding light on the shadowy dealings she claims permeate the music world.
Deborah Oluwaseyi Joshua, better known as Seyi Shay, dropped the revelation during a candid episode of the OffAir Podcast hosted by Gbemi Adebayo and Toolz Oniru-Dublue. In a clip that’s racked up millions of views across social media platforms overnight, the 39-year-old hitmaker reflected on a pivotal “phase” in her career, declaring unequivocally: “That’s when I was in the Illuminati. That’s when I joined the Illuminati. That’s when it was official. Do you understand? I was an Illuminati member.”
Known for chart-toppers like “Yolo Yolo,” “Right Now,” and her soulful Afrobeats anthems, Seyi Shay didn’t mince words about the insider knowledge that binds the industry’s elite. “People know who they are… It’s not the fans, guys. It’s the people in the industry. It is not the fans. It is the people that work with me, work with her, work with this one, work with that one,” she elaborated, hinting at a web of unspoken alliances and “messed up stuff” that outsiders rarely glimpse. Her words paint a picture of a cutthroat environment where fame and fortune come at a hidden cost, fueling long-standing rumors that have dogged Nigerian stars from Wizkid to Davido.
The disclosure marks a rare moment of transparency in an industry rife with Illuminati speculation—conspiracy theories that often link global success to occult pacts. While many celebrities have dodged or debunked such claims, Seyi Shay’s unfiltered admission stands out, especially as she emphasized it was a past chapter she’s since left behind. “People that do messed up stuff always forget,” she added wryly, suggesting a deliberate amnesia among her peers.
Social media erupted in the wake of the clip’s release on October 3, with #SeyiShayIlluminati trending nationwide. Fans oscillated between disbelief and dark humor: “Hope you collected your soul back?” quipped one user on X, while another posted, “This explains why her voice sounds like it’s from another dimension.” Skeptics, however, dismissed it as industry hyperbole or a nod to Freemasonry lore, with one X commenter noting, “Nigerians are sadly the most gullible set of people. Seyi Shay didn’t say she joined the Illuminati. She was referring to what people believed.” News outlets from Daily Post Nigeria to The Guardian piled on, amplifying the frenzy as outlets dissected her words for clues to other implicated names—though Seyi Shay stopped short of naming accomplices.
This isn’t Seyi Shay’s first brush with controversy. The London-born artist, who burst onto the Naija scene in the early 2010s after stints in the UK R&B circuit, has navigated public feuds, including a 2019 Twitter spat with fellow singer Adekunle Gold. More recently, she’s balanced motherhood—welcoming son Daniel in 2022—with a music comeback, teasing new projects amid whispers of a spiritual awakening. Her Illuminati reveal arrives on the heels of a reflective phase, where she’s spoken openly about mental health and the pressures of stardom.
As the podcast episode’s full release looms, questions swirl: Was this a metaphorical critique of exploitative label deals and power imbalances, or a literal unmasking of esoteric ties? Seyi Shay, reached briefly by reporters, offered no further comment, simply smiling and saying, “The truth sets you free.” For now, her confession has cracked open a Pandora’s box, forcing Afrobeats fans to confront the “dark side” their idols rarely illuminate.
In an era where conspiracy theories thrive online, Seyi Shay’s bold step could redefine how we view success in Nigerian music—or just spark another viral meme cycle. Either way, one thing’s clear: the queen of soul isn’t shying away from the spotlight, secret society or not.