Nivea Reveals She Went Through Two Procedures Before Doctors Could Confirm What's Wrong with Her — and She's Sharing Her First Update

The R&B singer says treatment is going well and that the experience has changed her outlook, as she opens up about gratitude, family, music, and the road to getting answers.

Nivea is opening up about one of the most personal experiences of her life, revealing that doctors needed two procedures before they could confirm what was causing her illness.

On the July 21, 2026 episode, the 44-year-old singer shared the update during a recent appearance on "Cadillac Chronicles TV."

The show is a mobile performance and interview series that rides through downtown Atlanta. Host Brian Freeman created the series and has built a large following across TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube.

Filmed from a moving convertible in downtown Atlanta, Nivea wore a bright blue graphic T-shirt, yellow athletic-style pants, and her signature long black hair with bold yellow bangs. She smiled, laughed, and occasionally sang into a handheld microphone as she spoke with the host.

The interview was later shared on the show's Instagram page, which described the conversation as one about her music, life, and continuing to "keep learning and evolving."

During the interview, Brian asked the "Laundromat" hitmaker what she is most thankful for right now. Her answer led to her first public update on her health.

"I was diagnosed with leukemia earlier this year," Nivea said. "I am so grateful to God. I've been going through treatment, and everything is going great so far. And I expect it to continue. Amen, amen, amen. And very grateful for life."

She credited her faith for helping her through treatment and said she expects her recovery to continue moving in a positive direction.

The Diagnosis Changed How She Looks at Everyday Life

Rather than focusing only on her diagnosis, the "Complicated" singer spoke about how the experience has changed her perspective.

She said the experience gave new meaning to the familiar saying that no one knows the time or the hour. According to Nivea, it helped put many things into perspective and strengthened her commitment to living with gratitude every day.

She also shared plans for the future, saying she wants to return to making music while pursuing another longtime goal. Nivea said she has enrolled in school to study audio engineering, with a particular interest in becoming a mixing engineer—something she has wanted to learn for years.

Her music career already includes a Grammy nomination. According to the Recording Academy, Nivea received a nomination at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in the Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal category for "Don't Mess With My Man," her collaboration with Brandon Casey.

In addition to music, she said she wants to continue spending time with her children and embrace every opportunity that comes her way.

Why the Confirmed Diagnosis Brought Relief Despite the News

In her statement to People, the "Don't Mess With My Man" singer revealed that doctors ultimately diagnosed her with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in early 2026.

"As incredibly surprised as I was to have the diagnosis confirmed after [two] (because the [first] one wasn't successful), bone marrow biopsy procedures, I was profoundly thankful that it wasn't Blast [blastoma]. Which would have meant chemotherapy as part of the treatment," Nivea told the publication.

Nivea also said learning that CML is not hereditary and was not caused by anything she had done brought her relief, although she said the diagnosis was still "a bit puzzling."

She added that treatment has been working so far and that she is taking each day "with a positive mindset [and] a heart full of gratitude."

The singer said she has been able to continue making music, care for her children, and pursue new interests while undergoing treatment. "I am and have been very blessed in this life and won't ever take it for granted," she said. "A tremendous thank you to everyone for the love [and] prayers."

What Chronic Myeloid Leukemia Is

According to the American Cancer Society, CML is a cancer that begins in the blood-forming cells of the bone marrow, the soft inner part of certain bones where new blood cells are made.

The disease develops when a genetic change creates an abnormal gene known as BCR::ABL1, which causes the bone marrow to produce too many abnormal white blood cells. Unlike acute leukemias, CML usually progresses more slowly, although it can become more aggressive if it advances to later phases.

According to the Mayo Clinic, leukemia symptoms vary depending on the type of the disease.

Common signs and symptoms include fever or chills, persistent fatigue or weakness, frequent or severe infections, unexplained weight loss, swollen lymph nodes, an enlarged liver or spleen, easy bleeding or bruising, recurrent nosebleeds, tiny red spots on the skin known as petechiae, excessive sweating — especially at night — and bone pain or tenderness.

The Mayo Clinic notes that these symptoms are often vague and not specific to leukemia. Early symptoms can resemble the flu or other common illnesses, making them easy to overlook. In some cases, leukemia is discovered during routine blood tests performed for an unrelated condition.

Treatment varies depending on the type of leukemia, its stage, a person's age and overall health, and other individual factors. The clinic added that treatment can be complex but that a variety of therapies and supportive resources are available. It also recommends seeking medical evaluation if persistent signs or symptoms are causing concern.

Nivea's Perspective Has Been Shaped by Earlier Challenges

As reported by VIBE in 2018, Nivea reflected on the setbacks that interrupted her music career. She said professional challenges, the recall of her second album "Complicated," and major life changes, including raising four children, contributed to her stepping away from music.

She later expanded on that period during an appearance on Kandi Burruss' YouTube series "On That Note," later highlighted by Essence in 2021. Nivea said her addiction began in her 30s after she stopped recording consistently while raising her children.

"I was tired of being a mom only," Nivea said. "I was tired of doing so much for my family."

She said she also struggled with her sense of self after years of putting her family first. "I was just depleted and I felt like I was of no value to me or nobody," she said. Nivea recalled that her addiction became so severe that she feared losing custody of her children.

"I'm so grateful I'm delivered," she said through tears. "I never thought I would get over it. I never thought I would come out of it. I'm so grateful to God. I thought it was going to consume me and I was going to lose my babies."

She said entering rehab helped her address unresolved issues from her childhood, but it did not end her addiction. Instead, she said lasting recovery came only after she made the personal decision that she no longer wanted drugs in her life.

"I didn't want to do it no more," Nivea said. "I didn't like me. I didn't like none of the ... I had done. I didn't like the fact that I took that time from my children. I didn't like none of what I had put myself through... And I just stopped."

Nivea has also credited the encouragement she received from fans with inspiring her to reconnect with music.

According to People, Nivea, whose full name is Nivea B. Hamilton, was married to producer and songwriter Terius "The-Dream" Nash from 2004 to 2008. They share daughter Navy Talia, who they welcomed in 2005, and twin sons London and Christian, who were born the following year.

TMZ noted that Nivea later reunited with record producer and rapper Lil Wayne after their earlier engagement ended, and the former couple welcomed son Neal Carter in 2009.

For Nivea, sharing her diagnosis is another example of the openness that has defined many of her recent interviews. As she continues treatment, she says she is focused on moving forward while continuing to make music, learn new skills, and spend time with her family.