Yul Edochie Defends Tems After Criticism Over Her Oscar Dress

Nollywood actor, Yul Edochie has defended Nigerian singer, Temilade Openiyi, popularly known as Tems after she was dragged online for her outfit in the just concluded 2022 Oscars.

Tems was nominated with popular singer, Rihanna, for her contribution as a songwriter on ‘Lift Me Up,’ one of the songs on Marvel’s ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’.

She was nominated alongside ‘Applause’ from ‘Tell It like a Woman’ (Diane Warren), ‘Hold My Hand’ from ‘Top Gun Maverick’ (Lady Gaga and BloodPop), ‘This Is a Life’ from ‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’ (Ryan Lott, David Byrne, and Mitski).

By the nomination, she made history as the first Nigerian artiste to have earned an Oscar nomination.

The Nigerian singer, however, lost the Oscar for Best Original Song to ‘Naatu Naatu’ from ‘RRR’, which is composed by MM Keeravani, with lyrics by Chandrabose and vocals by Rahul Sipligunj and Kaala Bhairava.

But her loss did not stop her from stealing the award ceremony held at the Dolby Theatre, Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, with her beautiful outfit.

Tems rocked a white Lever Couture gown, which had a big bridal headpiece, that stunned the audience on the red carpet at the Oscars Awards on Sunday.

The singer was dragged on social media as the headpiece she wore blocked the views of people behind her when she took her seat in the audience.

Taking to his official Twitter handle, Yul Edochie penned down his reaction to the dragging of the singer.

He asked those criticising Tems to, first of all, attend the Oscars.

Yul Edochie argued that just like Will Smith’s slap did last year, Tems stole the show this year.

The actor congratulated the singer, saying “we’re proud of you.”

He informed her that Nigeria is proud of her.

He wrote, “Before you criticize @temsbaby for her Oscar dress, attend the Oscars first.

“Just like Will Smith’s slap did last year, Tems stole the show this year.
Congratulations girl. We’re proud of you. Nigeria is proud of you.”

Before you criticize @temsbaby for her Oscar dress, attend the Oscars first.
Just like Will Smith’s slap did last year, Tems stole the show this year.
Congratulations girl.
We’re proud of you.
Nigeria is proud of you.

— Yul Edochie (@YulEdochie) March 13, 2023

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that the Ogun State Police Command says its operatives have rescued a kidnapped journalist, Oduneye Olusegun, abducted by some gunmen at the Mobalufon area of Ijebu Ode on the 9th of March 2023.