Tems opens up about early struggles with global fame

Nigerian singer Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems, has opened up about early struggles with global fame, revealing that she was uncomfortable with fame.

Tems, while speaking on The Boost Podcast, explained that she hid her identity from fans because she didn’t want to be in the spotlight.

She added that she wanted to continue her “secret life” while still making music, noting that she wanted success without the public attention.

“I would go to the airport and people say, ‘You’re Tems.’ I will 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.

Tems quit her job as a digital marketer to pursue a career in music in 2018. She released her debut single, “Mr Rebel,” the same year.