Grammy-winning Nigerian singer, Tems has disclosed that she was bullied over the pitch of her voice.
According to her, she didn’t speak until age three. She stated that she grew up feeling self-conscious because her voice didn’t sound like other girls.
Tems lamented that she was constantly bullied and thought that her voice sounded like a boy.
“I was bullied to the point of tears and was a target of ridicule. This led to the belief that I sounded like a boy, or a frog, with the impression that my voice was ugly,” she said.
The revelation sheds light on the emotional toll she endured, emphasizing the impact on her self-esteem and perception of her voice.
Tems, who was recently announced as a headliner alongside Afrobeat artists Tyla and Spinall for the 2024 edition of the Coachella Festival, expressed how her isolated childhood pushed her to connect with others through music.
“I was always in my little world. When I did make friends, I would try to make them sing my songs, and other girls had these sweet, high voices and my voice had a bass,” she noted.
Recall that the songstress had previously stated that she started making music because she doesn’t have friends.
Meanwhile, Tems has described being a Nigerian woman as a miracle.
The Oscar-nominated diva revealed that Nigerian women are the most blessed even though it is challenging.
She, however, stated that despite the hardship of being a Nigerian, there is a blessing attached to it if one utilizes their talent and takes it to where it would be appreciated.
“Being a Nigerian woman is a miracle. Because being a Nigerian, for anybody, is tough. But I think if you can tap into your gifts and own who you are, and be unapologetic about it, and take that to the world, that is an honor,” she said.
“I think Nigerian women are the most blessed. I won’t say the most blessed but everybody is blessed in an equal manner Nigerian women are very special to me. They are very dear to me and I believe that it is such a huge blessing to be a Nigerian woman and to be living in this time,” she further noted.
Opening Up About Directing
Tems opened up about directing while giving a glimpse into her love life. The singer also gave the simple reason she’s not interested in dating Asake.
For some time now, Tems has been very vocal about her love of Asake and his music. She revealed when asked who her favorite artists are right now that they are Tyla and Asake.
She has spoken also in other interviews about her love for the “Yoga” singer, but now, Tems clarified that her love for Asake isn’t romantic at all, adding that she’s not interested in dating the singer.
Also, Tems has disclosed the outfit she would wear if at any time the former president of America, Barack Obama invited her for dinner.
Tems has a keen sense of design and has been photographed in some eye-catching ensembles.
However, the Grammy award winner stated that if she had the opportunity to have dinner with former President of the United States, Barack Obama, she would most likely keep it simple.
She noted that she doesn’t mind wearing jeans to visit Obama for dinner.
“If Barack Obama invited me for dinner, I think I would wear jeans. I want it to be a nice chill vibe. He’s already been a president. Why do we have to make things so formal?” she said.
Tems made this revelation while answering some questions about herself and her likes.
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