Wendy Shay reveals toll of online bullying on her music career

Ghanaian Afropop and Afrobeats artist Wendy Shay has opened up about the emotional toll that years of online bullying have taken on her personal and professional life.

In an interview, the award-winning artist described herself as “the most bullied musician in Ghana,” revealing that the backlash she received nearly forced her to quit music altogether.

Signed to RuffTown Records, Wendy Shay entered the Ghanaian music scene shortly after the death of fellow artist Ebony Reigns. Her emergence was met with intense scrutiny, as many fans accused her of trying to replicate Ebony’s style and sound. According to Shay, the comparisons triggered widespread trolling and public criticism, especially in the early stages of her career.

“At one point, my mom asked me to quit music and return to Germany because the trolling was overwhelming, and it affected everyone in my family. Some of my relatives were even kind of shy to associate with me at the time,” she said during the interview.

The singer described the attacks as not only verbal but also deeply personal.

“Imagine they take your face, edit it to make you look like an old woman, and start mocking and laughing at you. They even said I wasn’t talented enough. It was crazy. I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy,” the artist stressed.

Despite the challenges, Wendy Shay said she decided to persevere, attributing her continued success to a close circle of supporters who encouraged her to stay in the industry.

“It built me,” she noted, emphasizing that the experience, while painful, strengthened her resolve.

Since her debut, Wendy Shay has grown into one of the leading female voices in Ghana’s music industry. Her work has been recognized with several awards, including honors from the 3Music Awards and the Telecel Ghana Music Awards. Her latest single, ‘It’s Too Late,’ is currently enjoying significant airplay on both radio and television. The track has also topped various local and international music charts, further cementing her position in the industry.