Nigerian international sensation, Tems has come under fire for her view-obstructing dress at the just concluded 95th Academy awards also known as the Oscars.
Tems was nominated for ‘Best Original Song’ and she made her Oscar debut with a custom white sculptural gown by Ukrainian brand, Lever Couture’s AW22 Leleka Couture collection. The gown which features a large headpiece attracted backlash for obstructing the view of fellow audience members at the event.
This backlash has been covered by both Nigerian and foreign media outlets, expressing mixed takes on the outfit, as some praised it, some criticized it, and others were indifferent.
Tems criticized for view-blocking outfit at Oscars 2023. pic.twitter.com/MEssLancIS
— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) March 13, 2023
A$AP Rocky could only laugh at the outrage over Tems’ controversial outfit from the Oscars, and Rihanna appeared to agree with her man. https://t.co/19J12Hzyml
— TMZ (@TMZ) March 16, 2023
Though, Tems have cleared the air concerning her outlandish dress at the Oscars. According to her, ”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!”
Imagine you are given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, what would you do, you have to make it count. In the words of hip-hop legend Eminem in the song ‘Lose yourself’ he said;
‘You only get one shot do, not miss your chance to blow.
This opportunity comes once in a lifetime’
I make no excuse for the obstruction Tems caused with her dress, as those behind her had a right to see the activities of the award show clearly. But this is showbiz and, in this world, all publicity is good publicity.
Tems stole the show at the #Oscars pic.twitter.com/GkwHZmxscx
— 🐬 @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) March 13, 2023
Tems wanted to make a statement, no matter the outcome of the awards and she did. Despite not winning an Oscar she was on the top trends for her outfit which only means she achieved her purpose. True, her dress might have been insensitive, but she is not the first to do it, Lady Gaga, Lizzo and even Cardi B have worn crazy-outlandish wear to these kinds of award shows and besides this was her first time, so hopefully, she takes all these feedback into consideration when choosing her outfit for the next top award show.
Nonetheless, Afrobeats was fairly represented that night and it would go down in entertainment history as a glorious moment.
