Meet the WAG and “It” Girl

Back in the ’90s and ’00s, Victoria Beckham was the face of “WAG” culture. WAGs, or “Wives and Girlfriends,” denote the partners of elite soccer (or football) players. They turned out pitch-side in their finest designer gear, cheering on their spouses while grabbing as much attention as their partners. Over time, WAG faces like Colleen Rooney and Rebekah Vardy became famous. This trend has ebbed, but Tolami Benson has managed to bring it back into the spotlight.

While fans were engrossed in the 2024 European Football Championship, Tolami Benson, the girlfriend of England player Bukayo Saka, drew attention with her striking beauty and stunning outfits. Benson’s presence and style raised curiosity: who exactly is she?

Compared to other established WAGs, Benson is a fresh face. Born in 2000, she turned 23 in December 2023. Her birthday was a luxurious celebration, posted across her Instagram profile. The celebration featured an elegant cake, diamond accessories, and a pricy Dior saddle bag, indicating Benson is accustomed to a life of luxury.

Professional soccer players, especially big names, earn significant salaries. Bukayo Saka, for instance, earns £300,000 weekly through his Arsenal contract. Yet, Tolami Benson is also making impressive moves professionally as a high-level executive. Benson’s career began in 2022, starting as a sales assistant at Harrods, then transitioning to an account executive role at Talking Drum Communications.

Though brief, her stint there paved the way for another role at Publicis Media, followed by her current position as Senior Planning Executive at Zenith. In a May 2024 LinkedIn post, she expressed excitement for this new opportunity at Zenith, focusing on the Coty account. Despite a relatively short career span, Benson is progressing rapidly.

Before embarking on her career, Benson pursued higher education. She graduated with a BA (Hons) in PR and Media from Birmingham City University. Benson highlighted on LinkedIn the valuable skills she acquired in communication, research, and analysis during her university years.

The university boasts notable alumni, including broadcaster Chris Tarrant and the late comedian Victoria Wood. With tuition fees up to £9,250 annually in England, Benson’s rapid career growth suggests she won’t be burdened by student debt for long.

The 2024 European Championships had high-profile attendees like Prince William, Adele, and Ed Sheeran. Tolami Benson was also there to support Bukayo Saka. Public affection between them is rare, and they keep their relationship private. They avoid posting pictures together and don’t follow each other on social media. Prioritizing their privacy seems effective, as they’ve been together since 2020.

Scrolling through Benson’s Instagram makes it clear that she loves to travel. Her feed is filled with pictures of her in various stunning locations like Barcelona, Greece, France, Los Angeles, Dubai, and the Bahamas. Often seen enjoying beach beds and private boats, she shares picturesque moments from her high-end vacations, fully embracing the leisure life.

Throughout the European Championships, Benson’s fashion garnered widespread attention, even from British Vogue, which highlighted her remarkable pitch-side outfits. Despite the attention, Benson downplayed it, attributing her style decisions to an honest girls’ group chat and practical choices, especially when rushing from work to matches. For the competition final, she sought designer Hattie Crowther’s help and wore a custom-made corset top, reinforcing her fashion-forward status.

While Benson keeps her family details private, she is believed to be of Nigerian descent and possibly related to notable Nigerian musicians. There’s speculation that she might be related to Swiss-Nigerian singer Coco Benson. Coco follows Tolami on Instagram, which hints at a connection. Coco is married to Nigerian producer Shizzi and is the granddaughter of singer Bobby Benson, hinting at a creative lineage if the speculations hold.

The original WAG era saw figures like Victoria Beckham and Cheryl Tweedy making frequent public appearances. Their luxurious fashion choices and public life were often scrutinized by gossip magazines. In recent years, WAGs have flown under the radar, but Benson has redefined the role with her modern style, privacy, and successful career, ushering in a new era for WAG culture.

Tolami Benson’s Instagram shows her love for outdoor adventures. From jet-skiing and riding bikes to scootering around Venice Beach, her feed is filled with adrenaline-fueled activities. These hobbies likely contribute to her active and adventurous lifestyle.

Despite the association of celebrities with luxury cars, Tolami Benson doesn’t have a driver’s license. In early 2024, she posted about her daily commute by tube, noting it as a reminder to get her license. Whether she has since obtained it remains unclear, but it seems Benson is in no rush to join the driving world.