Tems addressed the pressures artists and women often face to conform to certain styles, highlighting the importance of embracing individuality.
Singer Tems has opined that artists shouldn't be given a standard on dressing.
According to her, artists should reflect their unique styles and self.
She spoke in a recent interview with Essence Magazine.
Tems emphasized that her distinctive style is an expression of her authenticity, not an effort to send a particular message.
She said: “You should be yourself even if something else is expected of you. You win, automatically, when you are yourself, no matter what that looks like. That’s why there’s variety."
She argued that there shouldn’t be a standard for dressing, as people’s uniqueness is what makes them special.
“We’re different and are not all meant to be the same. And I know there’s a standard, but there shouldn’t be one. There shouldn’t be a standard for what people should dress like if they’re artists, or what people should dress like if they’re women. I just feel like we’re all unique. There shouldn’t be a requirement. That’s what I mean by standard. There shouldn’t be a requirement or some kind of expectation that you dress a certain way”, she added.
When asked about being a role model for self-love and acceptance, Tems expressed gratitude and reiterated her focus on authenticity.
She encouraged others to embrace their true selves, stating that trying to be someone else is a disservice to oneself.
“I appreciate that that’s what’s coming across. And I do think people should be themselves. I can’t really be anybody else. It’s just not going to work. You are doing yourself a disservice by trying to be someone else. You should just be who you are. Once you start trying, you’ve already missed the road. That’s a takeaway from how I live my life for sure,” she said.