Was Tems’ Couture Oscars’ Gown Show Stopping Or Show Blocking?

The singer-songwriter Tems (Temilade Openiyi) looked ethereal at the 2023 Oscars with her white, asymmetrical Couture gown with a large tulle headpiece. She finished her look with silver accessories and shimmery eyeshadow.

And while the piece was fabulous on the carpet, it offered disappointment for anyone sitting behind her during the show.

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Critics were quick to point out the “rude” moment and how it very likely blocked others from being able to see around her, while fans celebrated the black woman “taking up space” in the crowd.

For her work on the Black Panther: Wakanda Forever single, “Lift Me Up,” Tems was nominated for Best Achievement in Music Written for Motion Pictures (Original Song) along with Rihanna.

On the carpet, Rihanna wore a mesh and leather Alaïa dress that perfectly displayed her baby bump, but changed into black sequin pants and a dangly bedazzled bra in order to perform “Lift Me Up.”

So this leaves the question, couldn’t Tems have changed from her carpet dress to one less obstructive?