Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems has opened up about the intense attention paid to her body and appearance, revealing that she once deliberately dressed in baggy clothes to avoid unwanted attention during studio sessions.
Speaking during a recent interview, the “Essence” star shared that she once struggled to fully accept her body.
“I used to not always like my body. Crazy as it seems, but I just didn’t understand a lot of things,” she said.
Navigating the Studio Alone
Tems explained that early in her career, she often attended studio sessions alone, meeting producers and collaborators she had never previously encountered.
“I was going to a lot of studios alone, meeting people I have never met… I wanted to learn how to produce because of my objectives, which is I just want to make music,” she recalled.
Her focus, she emphasized, was purely on honing her craft — not on industry politics or distractions.
Dressing Down to Stay Focused
According to the singer, she began wearing oversized clothing intentionally to redirect attention away from her physical appearance.
“If me being attractive is disturbing you and stopping me from achieving my goal, I’m going to help you. So when I go to the studio, I wear baggy clothes. And I’m in my alpha mood because I want you to not be seduced by me,” she said.
She added that the strategy often worked, as collaborators quickly recognized her seriousness about her work.
“They can tell she’s just here to work, and we work,” she stated.
Growth and Self-Understanding
Tems’ candid reflection highlights broader conversations about how female artists navigate visibility, perception, and professionalism in male-dominated creative spaces.
Her remarks also underscore a deeper journey of self-acceptance — moving from discomfort and hyper-awareness to confidence rooted in talent and purpose.
Today, Tems is globally recognized not only for her distinctive voice and songwriting but also for shaping a new wave of Afro-influenced music on the international stage.
