LAGOS, Nigeria(VOICE OF NAIJA)- Grammy-winning Nigerian star Temilade Openiyi, known popularly as Tems, has sparked a wave of reactions online after her candid comments about romance and dating in today’s fast-evolving social culture.
In a June 2024 resurfaced girlie sit-down with Korty EO on her ‘Flow with Korty’ podcast, she questioned the intentions behind some romantic pursuits, suggesting that emotional authenticity is often lacking.
According to the “Me & U” hitmaker, these days, many men are primarily interested in sexual relationships, and once they get what they want, they lose interest and leave without pursuing anything deeper.
“…a lot of these men are very obvious, they don’t have any agenda, they just want to penetrate,” she said with a laugh.
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As a result, Tems declared, “I don’t fall in love anymore,” choosing instead to protect her heart and focus entirely on her music rather than fleeting distractions.
The “Love Me Jeje” crooner has often spoken about how she intentionally avoided obvious romantic advances early in her career, choosing to hide behind baggy clothing in studio spaces because she “did not want people to be seduced by her body.”
She has also kept her romantic life largely private, confirming she is single following late-2025 rumors linking her to rapper Dave. Instead, she remains grounded in her personal values, such as waiting until marriage while making her mark in the Afrobeats scene.
Although Tems comments were made two years ago, their recent resurfacing has struck a chord with many young people, who see them as a reflection of the real frustrations present in today’s dating culture.
