Tems Opens Up About Her Viral Oscars Dress

Tems has no qualms about her stunning Oscars ensemble.

With its voluminous fabric that stretched around and above the seats at the Dolby Theatre, the white sculptural gown from Ukrainian brand Lever Couture’s AW22 Leleka Couture collection was one of the most-talked-about looks at Sunday’s Academy Awards.

While her look received praise from the fashion community, it also spawned jokes and memes as social media weighed in on the view-obstructing gown.

“Imagine waiting your entire life to sit behind a stratus cloud at the Oscars,” one person tweeted, while others expressed sympathy for the person seated behind her.

“They’ve got that lady fighting for her life,” another joked.

Tems seemed to hear all the commotion and responded with “Oops” and a smiling face emoji.

She explained why she chose the show-stopping number in an interview with Harper’s Bazaar.

“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 was determined to make the most of the day. The dress is also a way for me to celebrate my work and the people around me, my country, and the people who support me. ‘Yes, yes, I am here!’ says this dress.”

Dunsin Wright, the singer’s stylist, also spoke out about the eye-catching gown. “Tems declared at the start of the year that she is entering a new era. That was on my mind as I considered the perfect Oscars outfit. “We wanted something delicate but powerful, something that made her feel ethereal,” Wright explained. “It was a daring choice, but I was confident that Tems could wear it the way it needed to be worn. She is so graceful and self-assured, and she makes each piece her own.”

Tems made history by becoming the first Nigerian to be nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Song for her work on Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, but she admits that winning an Oscar was not on her bucket list.

“This was not on my list of things I needed to do when I first started out,” she explained. “But, to be honest, I am honored. It’s my first time in this space, and it just motivates me to keep going, do more, and reach my full potential.”