For Grammy-winning Nigerian singer Tems, fame was never the finish line — it’s just something that happened along the way. What she truly seeks is comfort, success, and authenticity.
In a recent conversation with CNN, Tems peeled back the layers of stardom, explaining that her focus has always been on living comfortably and making meaningful music — not on chasing the spotlight. “If being me lands me under the bridge, cool. If it lands me on top of the mountain, cool,” she said with characteristic calm.
To Tems, success isn’t about glittering awards or viral moments — it’s about peace of mind, creative freedom, and being able to sustain her art without losing herself. “Fame doesn’t equal happiness,” she insists, a reminder that behind the glamour, fulfillment still lies in balance and self-worth.
Since breaking out in 2019 with Try Me, Tems has built an extraordinary global presence. Her collaboration with Wizkid on Essence catapulted her to international fame, earning her a Billboard Hot 100 hit. She has since worked with Drake and Beyoncé, bagged multiple Grammy awards, and cemented her place as one of Africa’s most celebrated voices. Yet, she remains deeply grounded — uninterested in fame for fame’s sake.
Beyond the stage, Tems is giving back. Through her Leading Vibe Initiative, she empowers young women in the music industry, offering mentorship and skill-building opportunities. It’s her way of helping others find their voice — and their comfort — in an industry that often overlooks them.
Tems has also been candid about her struggles early in her career — being ignored, disrespected, and pressured to conform. Today, she channels those experiences into strength. She likens fame to “living in a zoo,” constantly watched and judged, but says she has learned to live by her own standards. “The only expectations that matter are the ones I set for myself,” she says.
For Tems, true success isn’t measured by fame or fortune but by freedom — the freedom to be herself, make her kind of music, and live on her terms. Everything else, including fame, she says with a smile, “is just a bonus.”
