Jarvis Opens Up On Tough Childhood, Absent Father, Mother's Bipolar Disorder

Nigerian TikToker and content creator Elizabeth Amadou, popularly known as Jarvis, has opened up about her difficult childhood. She revealed that she grew up without her father, faced challenges with her mother's bipolar disorder, and experienced hunger and financial hardship.

The wife of streamer Peller shared her story during a Sunday service with Spark Nation founder Pastor Tobi in the United Kingdom, alongside her husband Peller.

Jarvis recounted how growing up with her mother was stressful due to her bipolar disorder, which sometimes caused her to be violent and verbally abusive.

"Growing up with her has been very stressful and depressing because sometimes the disorder is crazy. Today she is nice and good and next minute she is violent, insulting us, you this stupid child, your father is mad."

She also noted that she didn't grow up with her father because her mother returned from abroad pregnant. According to Jarvis, she grew up with her learned and strict grandparents, who helped shape who she is today.

Beyond family struggles, Jarvis also faced financial difficulties, including times when her family could not afford her school fees. She said she was determined to stay in school and avoid peer pressure to take the wrong path.

"When everything was going down and there was no school fees, I don't want to drop out from school or go through the wrong way to make money. You know peer group influence," she said.

She also noted how she and her sister would watch cooking videos on TikTok to salivate and then pray and cry themselves to sleep due to hunger.

The situation eventually led them to discover TikTok livestreaming as a source of income. Jarvis said someone messaged her on the app and encouraged her to go live, and although she was shy, she and her sister started livestreaming together. She disclosed that their first earnings were modest but significant.

"I was so shy but with my sister I did it. My family must not see us on social media because there will be problem. Along the line we started content," she said.

Jarvis added that her motivation was driven by the desire to support her sister and become financially independent.

"I wanted to take care of my sister. I want to be able to provide a living for ourselves."