Grammy-nominated singer Nivea shares leukemia diagnosis: 'I'm very grateful for life'
Published in Entertainment News
LOS ANGELES — R&B singer Nivea publicly revealed her recent leukemia diagnosis on an episode of the Atlanta-based performance and interview series "Cadillac Chronicles."
In a conversation with host Brian Freeman, the 44-year-old Grammy-nominated artist said she was diagnosed earlier this year and is "grateful to God" for her health as she undergoes treatment.
"I've been going through treatment, and everything is going great so far, and I expect it to continue. Amen, amen, amen," she said on Tuesday's episode.
"Cadillac Chronicles" features Freeman riding in his1974 Cadillac Eldorado with a musician, usually a hip-hop or R&B artist. In addition to discussing gratitude, Nivea also performed her hits from the car's passenger seat, including 2002's "Don't Mess With My Man," which earned her a 2003 Grammy nomination.
It seems the diagnosis hasn't slowed her down. The singer also revealed she's working on new music and going to school for audio engineering, which she said she's "always wanted to learn."
"I'm doing all the things I want to do," she said. "Loving on my children, and just being grateful and taking every opportunity that comes my way."
Nivea — born Nivea B. Hamilton — was married to singer-songwriter and record producer The-Dream from 2004 to 2008, and shares three children with him: daughter Navy Talia, born in 2005, and twin sons London and Christian, born the following year.
She also shares a son, Neal — who performs as Lil Novi — with rapper Lil Wayne.
Leukemia is a cancer of the blood that begins in the bone marrow, which varies based on the type of blood cell affected and the stage of the disease. The "Complicated" singer did not reveal which type she was diagnosed with, but said she maintains a "positive" outlook in all areas of life.
"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, and it just helped me put a lot of things in perspective," she said. "I live in gratitude religiously."
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