Nigerian singer Tems has opened up about her evolving style and the significance of self-expression, stressing the importance of staying true to oneself.
As she continues to rise in the music industry, Tems says she remains committed to authenticity, a quality she believes is crucial for personal and artistic success.
“You should be yourself, even if something else is expected of you,” Tems asserted.
“You win automatically when you are yourself, no matter what that looks like. That’s why there’s variety.”
Tems addressed the societal and industry-specific pressures that many artists, particularly women, face when it comes to their appearance.
She stressed that the diversity of people’s personalities and styles should negate the idea of a one-size-fits-all standard for dressing.
“We’re different and are not all meant to be the same. And I know there’s a standard, but there shouldn’t be one.
“There shouldn’t be a standard for what people should dress like if they’re artists, or what people should dress like if they’re women.”
Elaborating further, Tems challenged the notion that there should be any requirements or expectations dictating how people, especially artists and women, should present themselves.
“I just feel like we’re all unique. There shouldn’t be a requirement. That’s what I mean by standard. There shouldn’t be a requirement or some kind of expectation that you dress a certain way.”
Asked if she recognized the impact she has on others, particularly in promoting self-love and authentic self-expression, Tems expressed gratitude for being viewed as a beacon of authenticity.
She reiterated her belief in the importance of being true to oneself, regardless of external pressures.
“I appreciate that that’s what’s coming across. And I do think people should be themselves. I can’t really be anybody else. It’s just not going to work.”
Tems also spoke about the futility of trying to be someone else, noting that it only leads to losing oneself in the process.
“You are doing yourself a disservice by trying to be someone else. You should just be who you are. Once you start trying, you’ve already missed the road. That’s a takeaway from how I live my life, for sure.”
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