Nigerian singer and songwriter Tems has clarified the rumours about her much-talked-about dress at the 2023 Academy Awards.
The elegant white gown she wore became the subject of controversy and speculation.
Videos that surfaced on the internet from the award show seemingly showed people seated around Tems struggling to see the main stage.
In turn, this led to people suggesting her dress blocked the view of other attendees. In an exclusive interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Tems shared the story behind her memorable outfit.
“It was my first Oscars,” she recalled. “When I saw the dress, I thought, ‘This is a lot, it looks like a cloud or a flowing stream.’ I felt like a princess.”
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Addressing the controversy, she explained that the position of the stage ensured no one’s view was obstructed. “There was no blocking, I need to put that out there,” she confirmed.
Tems’ dress is indeed memorable. She stunned in a white custom-made sculptural gown from Lever Couture, a Ukrainian brand. She described it as “outside the box.”
Speaking of her dress at the time, Tems described the experience saying, “Two years ago, I would’ve said no to this dress.”
“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!'”
Additionally, Tems has recently dropped her debut album, Born in the Wild. Launched on June 7, 2024, the album features eighteen tracks. Also, Tems explores various musical styles like R&B, African rhythms, soul, hip-hop, and poetry. The album includes earlier releases like Love Me Jeje.
Furthermore, the album features collaborations with artists such as Asake on the Reggae-inspired Get it Right and J. Cole on Free Fall.
Finally, Tems’ Born In The Wild Tour commenced on June 12 in London, with scheduled performances across Europe, North America, Africa, and Australia.
Fashion Icon @temsbaby shares the stories behind
Her Unforgettable Oscars Dress,
“Holy Smokes”,
& the awkward moment after winning incident at the #BetAwards ❤️😂
📸 – @harpersbazaarus pic.twitter.com/0F8sTA92wB
— tems 𝖘z𝖓 (@temsszn) June 21, 2024
