Tems, a Nigerian singer has responded to the backlash that trailed the view-blocking outfit she wore to the Oscars.
However, Tems is making no apologies for her Oscars gown.
The ‘Lift Me Up’ co-songwriter was criticized on social media after her Oscars gown blocked the view of a number of attendees at Sunday night’s Academy Awards.
Specifically when glimpses of her seated mid-row in the Dolby Theatre set off spectators who sympathized with those who sat behind the view-obstructing garment.
The Nigerian singer’s cloud-like gown, which included a voluminous arc that went over and behind her head, was made by L.A.-based Ukrainian design house Lever Couture and styled by Dunsin Wright.
The dress was showcased during fashion week in Tokyo last September and made a splash when Tems graced the champagne-colored carpet at Sunday’s Oscars in Hollywood.
Check other stunning red carpet photos from the Oscars 2023 Award ceremony.
The 27-year-old singer-songwriter — whose ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’ track ‘Lift Me Up,’ performed by Rihanna, was nominated for best original song.
While the show-stopping piece landed the 27-year-old on several best-dressed lists, it also took on a life of its own on social media, where the discourse focused on how it adversely affected Oscars attendees.
‘I guess the people behind the white veil don’t get to see the show,’ wrote one person on Twitter.
Indeed, Tems was visible in several aerial shots inside the theater and when cameras panned across the room to show the audience.
The discourse has been an assortment of sartorial praise, light-hearted memes and allegations of disrespect.
Reacting the criticism that trailed the outfit, Tems shared photos of her in same outfit on Twitter with the caption ‘oops’. It also came with a blush emoji.
On Instagram, she shared 10 photos, captioning her post: ‘Uh Ohh!’
Tems eventually missed out on the award for best original song to ‘Naatu Naatu’ from the Telugu-language film ‘RRR,’ which became the first Indian film song ever to win an Oscar.
