In a candid interview on The Boost Podcast, Temilade Openiyi—better known as Tems—shared that her rise to stardom was accompanied by a deep discomfort with being in the public eye. She explained that she had deliberately kept her identity hidden from fans, preferring to maintain a “secret life” while still producing music.
“I would go to the airport and people say, ‘You’re Tems.’ I would reply, ‘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.
Tems began her music career after quitting her role as a digital marketer in 2018, releasing her debut single “Mr Rebel” that same year. Her breakthrough came in 2020 when she was featured on Wizkid’s hit “Essence.” The success forced her to confront her reluctance, eventually leading her to accept the fame that now surrounds her.
