Omanghana
Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has opened up about her early discomfort with fame, revealing that she sometimes denied being the artiste when recognised in public.
Speaking on The Boost Podcast, the singer explained that her ambition to succeed in music did not come with a desire for public attention. She hoped to continue creating songs while preserving her privacy.
Tems recalled encounters at airports where fans approached her, only for her to deny her identity because she felt afraid of the attention.
“I was so afraid, I wanted to continue my secret life,” she said.
The singer revealed that she prayed to avoid the spotlight, even as her music attracted a growing audience. However, she gradually began adjusting when her increasing recognition made it difficult to remain anonymous.
Her reflections offer a glimpse into the personal adjustment behind her rise to prominence, with musical ambition accompanied by a strong desire for privacy.
Tems left her digital marketing job in 2018 to pursue music, releasing her debut single, Mr. Rebel, that year. Her appearance on Wizkid’s 2020 hit Essence subsequently helped introduce her to a wider audience.
Source: Omanghana
