Content creator Elizabeth Amadu, popularly known as Jarvis, has opened up about her troubled childhood, financial struggles, TikTok journey and how she met her partner, Peller.
Jarvis said she was raised by her grandparents after growing up in a turbulent home. She revealed that her mother lives with bipolar disorder, making her childhood stressful and, at times, traumatic.
“I was already exhausted. Grandpa was sick, and I came into a family through a mother who has bipolar disorder.
“Growing up with her was very stressful and depressing because sometimes the disorder could be extreme.
“Today, she would be nice and good; the next minute, she could become violent, destroy things and insult us. She would say things like, ‘Oh, you stupid child. What are you doing here? Your father is mad,’” she said.
Jarvis said she also never knew her biological father and grew up without him.
“I didn’t grow up with my dad because I don’t know who my dad is. So, I don’t know anything about my father. But she would keep saying, ‘Oh, your dad is this, your dad is that.’
“Growing up without a dad was not easy, especially because my mum was not mentally stable,” she added.
She credited her grandparents for giving her discipline and guidance.
“I grew up with my grandma and grandpa, and they did their best to raise me well. They were very educated and strict. That strictness was what tamed me, and I appreciate them because it really helped shape my life.”
Jarvis recalled that she and her sister often struggled financially, including periods when they could not afford school fees or food.
A TikTok friend later introduced her to live streaming.
“I was like, ‘How?’ So, the first day I tried it with my sister, I had about 200 views and made $5. I was like, ‘Wow!’
“Because we were always hungry, we would go on TikTok and watch food videos just to feel satisfied. We would salivate and, at the end of the day, cry and pray, saying, ‘God, please help us.’
“But when we went live and saw that we had made five dollars, we were happy.”
She said they continued streaming despite family opposition because they needed money for education and basic needs.
Jarvis also revealed that she first met Peller during a livestream, where he initially showed interest in her sister.
“I met Peller on a livestream. He was wooing my sister. He was also liking me, but I was like, ‘Bro, don’t talk to me. Talk to my sister. You and her would have that connection.’”
She said shyness, fear of her family’s reaction and their age difference made her hesitant.
“I was just thinking, ‘Okay, you’re my sister’s type.’ But this young man didn’t want to relent.”
Jarvis said she initially saw their relationship as nothing more than content and fun.
“For me, it was simply, ‘Let’s create content and have fun. Dey your dey, let me dey my dey. If we meet in front, we’ll just be friends.’
“I never expected all of this to become reality.”
