Despite my hardwork, I was reduced to somebody’s ex-wife – Toni Payne

Ex-wife of popular Nigerian music act, 9ice, Toni Payne, has revealed how her hard work was reduced to the drama of being somebody’s ex-wife and how this informed her decision to stay away from ‘people and drama.’

Payne, who was a publicist and known for promoting the career of her ex-husband and a few other artistes, regrets that she abandoned her career following the effect of the messy divorce and bad publicity their short-lived marriage experienced.

Recall that the marriage between the duo had packed up after allegations from 9ice that his wife had a sexual relationship with his colleague, Ruggedman.

9ice had, however, come forward to apologize that Payne did not cheat on him.

Despite her regrets, the mother of one vowed never to work as a publicist “in the Nigerian entertainment industry.”

She made this disclosure on her official Twitter account @tonipayne, stating that she had tried to stay away from people and ‘their drama’ and how despite her hard work, she was reduced to somebody’s ‘ex’-wife.

In a series of tweets, she noted: “I think I want to dabble with being a publicist again, but I will only work with those who want exposure in the USA. Kind of miss that hustle.”

She noted that she was one of the best music publicists that worked in the industry in recent times, however, “Too bad, Naija did not appreciate what I was trying to do.

“No encouragement, just drama after drama. Discouraging! Glad I got out of that setting, now I’m realizing my potentials elsewhere. #USAPublicist.

“#Elsewhere: What made me different was I chose to ONLY work with unknown talent.

“I hustled hard for everyone I decided to work with, then they tried to reduce my hard work to someone’s ex-wife,” she comically noted.

“I don’t blame people that choose to stay away; the bad belle is 3 much.

“Never again though! Just sad that I see some talented artists I’d love to work with but to avoid Nigerian drama, I unlook. I’m in my own world, play by my own rules, fast as a gazelle, graceful like the peacock, tenacious like the rhino, I am moving swiftly along,” Payne added.