Nigerian musician, Temilade Openiyi, a.k.a. Tems has explained why she chose to wear a dress that would block others view at the 2023 Oscars.
Hollywood's elite attended the famous award ceremony on Sunday at the Dolby Centre in Los Angeles, where they dazzled in various fashion items.
Tems wore a custom-made white sculptural gown from the AW22 Leleka Couture line by Ukrainian fashion house Lever Couture. The dress, which had a big headpiece, received criticism for impeding other audience views.
In a pre-Oscars interview with Harper's Bazzar, Tems provided behind-the-scenes information on the contentious gown.
According to the Grammys award winner, she decided to “go all out” and “make the most” of her first Oscars attendance.
“Two years ago, I would’ve said no to this dress,” she said. “But it’s my first Oscars — I am going to go all out. I really wanted to make the most of the day. The dress is also my way of celebrating my work and the people around me, celebrating my country, and celebrating the people that are rooting for me. This dress says ‘Yes, yes, I am here!'”
The "Crazy Tings" singer claimed that her recent ground-breaking successes on the global music scene were just the beginning for her. Tems stated that she was on the "correct path" because of her work with influential musicians like Beyoncé and Rihanna.
“If the biggest women in the world love my work to such an extent that they are working with me, then that must say something. My work is actually reaching places, it’s making some type of impact.
“And that is insane! I really am just trying to keep my feet on the ground and continue running and doing things that are a hundred per cent authentic to me. Evolving, learning, growing. It’s just the beginning for me,” she said.
With her collaboration with singer Rihanna; music producer, Ludwig Göransson; and Black Panther’s director, Ryan Coogler, for the movie’s soundtrack, ‘Lift Me Up’, Tems was nominated for Best Original Song at this year’s Oscars.
The category was however won by Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj for ‘Naatu Naatu’.
