×

Tems’ 2023 Oscar Dress Causes An Uproar Online

The singer's ensemble was trending after it obstructed the view of other Academy Award attendees.

By Nebianet Usaini
Updated March 13, 2023
Twitter
HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: (EDITORS NOTE: Image was converted to black and white) Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at Hollywood & Highland on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Emma McIntyre / Getty Images via AFP)

 

Tems was a work of art that deserved to be seen at the 2023 Oscars while wearing an eye-catching white ensemble that was literally the centre of attention.

A nominee this year in the best original song category, the musician and producer Temilade Openiyi debuted one of the night’s more extravagant looks: a voluminous gown from the LA-based label Lever Couture to the 95th Academy Awards. While undeniably beautiful, the “No Woman, No Cry” singer’s gown obstructed the view of her fellow audience members, initiating a debate about whether the magnitude of her outfit was fair to those around her.

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP)

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP)

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Robyn BECK / AFP)

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by ANGELA WEISS / AFP)

 

 

The dress in question was from the designer’s Leleka collection, which debuted at Tokyo Fashion Week in 2022. Dunsin Wright styled the sculptural silhouette, which featured billowing wisps of fabric that curved in a smoke-like design from Tems’s left shoulder to her right leg. The floor-length train and structured hood looked like a cloud in the wind. She accessorised the look with Amina Muaddi’s rhinestone-embellished heeled sandals, multiple diamond earrings, and matching jewelery on her wrists and hands.

Social media was initially enamoured with the singer’s all-white ensemble, while describing it as ethereal and angelic; praising her fashion sense, poise, and aesthetic on the red carpet.

However, once the ceremony began, many people changed their tune. Soon after, photos of the “Try Me” singer’s gown obstructing the view of several Oscars attendees began to circulate online.

 

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

 

Nigerian singer-songwriter Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, California on March 12, 2023. (Photo by Frederic J. Brown / AFP)

 

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA – MARCH 12: Tems attends the 95th Annual Academy Awards on March 12, 2023 in Hollywood, California. Arturo Holmes/Getty Images /AFP (Photo by Arturo Holmes / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)

 

For many, the enigmatic design was one of the evening’s most fabulous fashion moments. Others, including those seated behind Tems at the award show, found the hooded cape to be an inhibiting factor to seeing the presentations. One viral video tweet showed a lady poking her head around the dress to get a better view of the stage.

Several other audience members were seen craning their necks during the show to get a better look at the show’s host, Jimmy Kimmel, and other entertainers who graced the stage.

After photos of Tems’ ensemble went viral on social media, viewers were quick to weigh in on whether the massive gown was appropriate for the year’s biggest movie night. “That woman peeking her head around Tems’ dress is sending me to the moon,” one Twitter user wrote. “Tems is killing me sitting in that dress,” another user added.

While some held that Tems was unfair to other celebrities by blocking their views at the award show, others argued that the singer’s voluminous look deserved to be seen. “The headpiece of Tems’ dress is blocking everyone seated directly behind her and I am SO here for IT,” Dr. Nicki Washington tweeted during the award show. “Sis said you’ll be fine.”

In a separate tweet, British author Bolu Babalola pointed out that Tems’s outfit could be symbolic of something greater. She said, “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 . . . ”

The 27-year-old singer was in attendance because her contribution to Rihanna’s “Lift Me Up” from Black Panther: Wakanda Forever was nominated for Best Original Song. Although Rihanna would later take the stage to perform her hit ballad, Tems’ gown would dominate discussions.

Several social media users shared their thoughts online, but Twitter users were the most vocal, as usual.

More Stories