Tems Advocates for Authenticity in Personal Style and Self-Expression
Nigerian singer Tems recently shared her thoughts on the importance of authenticity in personal style and self-expression during an interview with Karefa Johnson from Essence Magazine. Tems, known for her unique and bold fashion choices, emphasized that her distinctive dress sense is a reflection of her true self rather than an attempt to conform to societal expectations.
In the interview, Tems highlighted the value of being true to oneself, regardless of external pressures. She explained that embracing individuality is key to self-confidence and success. “You should be yourself even if something else is expected of you. You win, automatically, when you are yourself, no matter what that looks like. That’s why there’s variety,” she stated.
Tems addressed the often-unspoken pressure on artists and women to adhere to certain fashion standards, arguing that there shouldn’t be a fixed guideline for how people should dress. She believes that everyone is unique and that this uniqueness should be celebrated, not stifled by rigid expectations. “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. I just feel like we’re all unique. There shouldn’t be a requirement or some kind of expectation that you dress a certain way,” she added.
When asked about her role as a figure of self-love and acceptance, Tems expressed gratitude for being perceived as a positive influence in this regard. She reiterated her commitment to living authentically and encouraged others to do the same. “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. 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,” she concluded.
Tems’ words resonate with a growing movement towards embracing individuality and rejecting the pressures to conform, making her a powerful advocate for authenticity in both the music and fashion industries.
