American songwriter Clarissa Arokodare, popularly known as Clarissa Zoe, has disclosed that she hired private investigators to verify the identity of her Nigerian lover.
The musician, who was born on the island of Dominica and raised in New York City, shared her reasons in a Vanguard Newspaper interview.
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She explained that they met on TikTok, but she still took steps to confirm his identity in Nigeria because she feared an internet romance scam.
However, Clarissa Zoe said she did not deliberately choose her husband.
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“I didn’t conventionally meet my husband. I met my husband through TikTok. I don’t think I picked my husband. At that point in my life, I was actually done with relationships.
“However, before meeting him, I had met a Nigerian man in New York, who exposed me to Yoruba culture, which I admired deeply. Initially, yes, but those fears quickly disappeared. That experience planted a seed.
“Before coming to Nigeria, I hired a private investigator based in Lagos to verify everything my husband had told me. The report confirmed that everything was checked out,” she explained.
Love story
The songwriter further stated that she had not planned to start a relationship, but things became natural and genuine when her one-week trip to Nigeria turned into a six-week stay after she finally met him.
Clarissa Zoe praised her husband’s sincerity, saying his love and care for family and children changed how she saw him.
After spending six weeks together, Clarissa Zoeoe said her husband proposed in November 2024, and they married in April 2025. She said their relationship is founded on healing, respect, and intentional love.
“Beyond that, my husband never pretended to be what he was not. He showed me exactly where he lived, even when he wasn’t proud of it. He told me plainly: ‘This is me. Take me as I am.’ He never asked me for money.
“In fact, when I tried to help during a difficult time, he refused, saying it was too early in the relationship for that. That level of integrity made me respect him even more.
“When I eventually met my husband, even though I wasn’t looking for a relationship, it was the way he valued family and cared for his children that drew me to him. Our relationship moved differently from what I was used to in America. It felt natural, sincere, and deeply connected from the beginning,” she said.
Career and family
Speaking about her music career, the singer said she has been writing songs aimed at reshaping negative perceptions about Nigeria. Clarissa Zoe also stated that she currently plans to continue bonding with her family in Nigeria, although she is open to them experiencing life in New York, United States.
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“I wrote a song titled ‘Rise Again’, inspired by my experience in Nigeria. The song is currently on the radio and all streaming platforms. It’s meant to inspire and change negative perceptions about Nigeria.
“For now, Nigeria is home. We are bonding, raising our children together, and enjoying life as a family. In the future, I hope my husband and children will have the opportunity to experience life in the United States and beyond. But for now, we are exactly where we need to be,” she concluded.
The singer has written songs, including ‘Rise Again’, but has spent 15 years working in healthcare and social services in the United States.
