R&B singer Nivea has revealed she was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, opening up about her treatment and crediting her faith for carrying her through it.
The 44-year-old, born Nivea B. Hamilton and best known for her 2000s hits "Don't Mess With My Man" and "Laundromat," shared the news during a recent sit-down on the interview series Cadillac Chronicles. Asked what she was most thankful for right now, she didn't hesitate.
"I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year, and I am so grateful to God," Nivea said. "I've been going through treatment and everything is going great so far. And I expect it to continue. Amen. Amen. Amen. And I'm very grateful for life."
She added that the diagnosis reshaped her perspective on time itself. "It's so cliché to say, you know, you don't know the time nor the hour, and it's true," she said.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood and bone marrow, and while Nivea did not detail the specific type or stage, she said her treatment has been progressing well. Rather than dwelling on what the illness has taken, the singer said she's choosing to move through each day with deeper gratitude - for her health, her family, and her music.
That same spirit has shown up elsewhere on her platform. In a recent Instagram post, Nivea reflected, "Life should be celebrated! The flesh is temporary, but energy never dies," a message that echoes the gratitude and perspective she's carried into this new chapter.
Nivea got her start singing in an Atlanta church choir before crossing over into mainstream R&B, and her comments echoed that same rooted faith. Fans on social media have responded with an outpouring of prayers and encouragement since the interview aired.
For now, her message is one of hope: leaning on faith, focusing on recovery, and looking forward to returning to the studio.
