Why I Wore an Expensive Dress to the Oscars — Tems

Temilade Openiyi, a.k.a. Tems, a Nigerian musician, has explained why she chose to wear a dress that would block her 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 members' views of the performance.

In a pre-Oscars interview with Harper's Bazzar, Tems provided behind-the-scenes information on the contentious gown.

The Grammy Award winner claimed that she made the decision to "go all out" and "make the most" of her first Oscars appearance.
I wouldn't have accepted this garment two years ago, she said. But I'm going all out because it's my first Oscars. I was determined to utilize the day to its fullest. The outfit is another way I express my gratitude to those who support me, my country, and the people I work with and live with. This outfit exclaims, "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 working with legendary musicians like Beyoncé and Rihanna.

"If the most powerful women in the world are working with me because they are so passionate about my job, it has to mean something. My work is truly making an impact and getting to destinations.

"And that's crazy, too! I'm really just trying to keep my feet on the ground, keep moving forward, and carry on with activities that are wholly honest to me. growing, learning, and evolving. For me, it's only the beginning, she added.

Tems received an Oscar nomination for Best Original Song this year for the song "Lift Me Up," which she co-wrote with singer Rihanna, music producer Ludwig Göransson, and Black Panther director Ryan Coogler.

Nonetheless, Kaala Bhairava and Rahul Sipligunj for "Naatu Naatu" took first place in the category.