Iyanya Credits Guidance for Sustaining Positive Fame for 17 Years

|By Queen Banigo

Nigerian music star Iyanya has attributed his 17-year staying power in the entertainment industry to deliberate guidance and personal accountability, insisting that fame without structure is empty and fleeting.

Speaking on a recent episode of the Afropolitan Podcast, the singer said he consciously submits himself to guardianship to remain grounded despite the pressures that come with celebrity life. According to him, guidance has been the stabilising force behind his long-standing relevance and positive public image.

Iyanya dismissed unguarded fame as “fake,” stressing that every entertainer needs trusted voices to provide direction and restraint. He explained that early in his career, he learned not to take fame personally, noting that recognition can disappear as quickly as it comes.

“You need one, two, or three people in your life to help keep you grounded because everything is going to happen so fast, and none of it is real,” he said. “You can walk into a president’s office, he knows your name and sings your song, but if you’re no longer popping in a few years, they won’t remember you.”

The award-winning singer warned that celebrity access and validation are often temporary, urging younger artists not to build their identity solely around public applause. He advised famous individuals to consciously submit themselves to guidance and consistently seek counsel from trusted people in their lives.

Iyanya added that such support systems provide moral strength and clarity at every stage of life, helping celebrities navigate success, decline, and reinvention without losing their sense of self.