Nivea, the 2000s R&B goddess responsible for hits like “Laundromat” and “Don’t Mess With My Man,” is on the mend after a scary diagnosis of chronic myeloid leukemia — also known as CML – in early 2026. During an Oct. 7 appearance on The Tamron Hall Show, the 44-year-old revealed that her battle with the blood cancer was in remission thanks to a groundbreaking clinical trial administered by her doctor, Colin Vale.
“I couldn’t believe it because this happened to me this year, only a few months ago,” she said in disbelief. Nivea found out about her diagnosis shortly after discovering a painful “knot” on her side.
Nivea is taking an FDA-approved targeted treatment to fight her CML.
The singer said she’s grateful to have taken part in Vale’s clinical trial, where she is receiving an FDA-approved targeted treatment. She takes two pills once a day, preferably at the same time each day.
Dr. Colin Vale — who was also present for the interview — explained that to understand how chronic myeloid leukemia develops, it helps to think of the bone marrow as the body’s blood-cell factory. Normally, the bone marrow produces the right amount of blood cells to meet the body’s needs. But in CML, a genetic change involving chromosomes 9 and 22 causes abnormal cells to develop and multiply uncontrollably, disrupting the normal production of blood cells.
“So the way that we treat this type of blood cancer is with a targeted therapy, where we can precisely focus on the abnormal signaling in the bone marrow to stop the growth of the cancer cells,” he explained.
Nivea said that while she’s happy her leukemia is now in remission, she still has a long recovery road ahead.
“It has been an adjustment, the symptoms. I’m tired a lot. I have other issues — bleeding,” she revealed. “I found out I have fibroids, but I’m still on the better side. I’m not complaining…the medicine has definitely helped.”
Nivea is making new music and gave a sneak peek of her new song “Ferris Wheel.”
With a bill of new health, Nivea said she’s been pouring energy into new music and her passion for audio engineering. The Grammy-nominated singer has enrolled in night school to study the field.
“I’ve always wanted to be an audio engineer. I believe I have engineer ears. I’m in love with sound in general in so many different ways,” she gushed.
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She’s also started taking vocal training to learn some “tricks and tools” to be better at her craft. Later on in the episode, the star gave the audience a sneak peek of her new song, “Ferris Wheel,” her first single in 20 years.
Throughout her difficult health journey, Nivea said she has been grateful to have a strong support system by her side. That includes the father of her children, super-producer The-Dream, as well as Lil Wayne.
“I’ve been very much supported,” she said, noting that The-Dream and his wife even came to visit her while she was in the hospital.
