Nigerian singer and songwriter Temilade Openiyi, also known as Tems, caused a dramatic stir with her dress at the 95th Annual Academy Awards on Sunday.
Tems made her Oscar debut as a nominee for her writing credit on Lift Me Up from the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever soundtrack. The single, performed by Rihanna, was nominated for Best Original Song.
She wore one of the night’s most elaborate looks: an extravagant gown from the LA-based label Lever Couture. The dress featured a sculptural flourish of pleated and boned fabric strips that curved up through the bodice and around the head and a skirt that flowed over into the surrounding seats. The headpiece, which was not removable from the dress, obscured the view of the stage for anyone sitting directly behind the singer.
The long, white dress stood out among the traditional red carpet looks surrounding her at the event. Many people were not amused with the dress taking away from their viewing experience of the celebs that sat behind and beside her.
This caused an uproar on social media, with the press and film fans alike taking to Twitter and other platforms to express their feelings on the situation.
Many people felt the need to make statements about the situation, with many agreeing that a change needs to be made concerning what can be worn at the Oscars.
Imagine waiting your whole life to be at the Oscars and you end up sitting behind a stratus cloud. pic.twitter.com/HQ8lSYQBUV
— Jarrett Bellini (@JarrettBellini) March 13, 2023
There were also jokes made about the singer’s choice. In response to Jarrett Bellini’s tweet, author Bolu Babalola tweeted: Actually, it is an ironic symbol, she is taking up space as a Black woman, whilst the white not only represents a femininity BW have traditionally not had access to but also how whiteness has obscured and obstructed paths of progress, in this essay,
Actually it is an ironic symbol, she is taking up space as a Black woman, whilst the white not only represents a femininity BW have traditionally not had access to but also how whiteness has obscured and obstructed paths of progress, in this essay, https://t.co/18bLPkOfBR
— Bolu Babalola 🍯&🌶 (@BeeBabs) March 13, 2023
Her tweet caused many people to respond angrily about the dress not being a black woman issue. Others who saw the tweet for the sarcasm it was, giggled from the sidelines.
While many people called out Tems for her sartorial choice, others have commended her fashion sense, saying that it is her discretion to wear whatever she wants. Despite the ongoing controversy, Tems showed off her sense of style and courage to be unique at the Oscars.
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