Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has revealed that she was initially uncomfortable with fame despite her desire to succeed in the music industry.
Speaking during an episode of The Boost Podcast, the singer disclosed that she once tried to hide her identity from fans because she was uncomfortable being in the public eye.
Tems said she wanted to maintain a “secret life” while pursuing her music career, adding that she was afraid of the attention that came with fame.
She recalled how she would deny being Tems whenever fans recognised her at the airport.
“I would go to the airport and people would say, ‘You’re Tems.’ I would be like, ‘No, I’m not Tems.’ I was so afraid. I wanted to continue my secret life, and I was like, ‘God, please, I don’t want to be in the spotlight,’” she said.
According to the singer, she eventually began adjusting to fame when hiding her identity became impossible.
Tems quit her job as a digital marketer in 2018 to pursue music professionally. She released her debut single, Mr Rebel, that same year.
She gained international recognition after featuring on Wizkid’s 2020 hit single, Essence.
