Nigerian Grammy award-winning artist Tems returned to The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon with a performance that reminded audiences why she continues to stand out globally. Taking to the stage, she performed “What You Need” from her EP Love Is a Kingdom, delivering a calm, controlled set that focused more on vocals than theatrics.
The performance was simple but effective. Tems leaned into her strengths, her tone, her pacing, and her ability to hold attention without overdoing it. She captured the mood of the song and the project itself, which explores love, vulnerability and emotional independence in a grounded way.
.@temsbaby performs “What You Need”!
— The Tonight Show (@FallonTonight) April 1, 2026
Watch the full performance ⬇️https://t.co/BAdXdOh9lo#FallonTonight pic.twitter.com/KTuQ1ehVhF
Visually, she kept things just as intentional. She wore a beautiful, flowy silver mesh dress with delicate flower embroidery, a look that felt soft but elevated. It moved easily on stage and complemented the performance without distracting from it. It’s a style direction Tems has been consistent with—feminine, relaxed, but still striking.
This marks her third appearance on the show, a clear sign of her growing international presence. Each return feels more assured, not just as a performer but as an artist who knows exactly how she wants to be seen and heard.
As one of Nigeria’s most celebrated exports, Tems continues to build a global career on her own terms. Her Fallon performance didn’t rely on big production or viral moments—it worked because it was honest, polished, and true to who she is as an artist.
Recent stories by:
Sindeka Mandoyi
Rihanna and Rocki make history in first-ever mother-daughter cover feature
Nomzamo Mbatha to host AMVCA 2026 alongside Bovi Ugboma
South Africa mourns the loss of veteran actress Cynthia Shange
4 Ways to support a friend or relative who did not qualify to graduate this year
Fehmz’s prawn coconut curry from Damn Good Food: A Rich, Fragrant Seafood Favourite
GLAMOUR Recommends
Hennessy presents the 2025 “Made for More” campaign, featuring Tems and some of Africa’s most vibrant talents
How to get Tems’s glossy red carpet lip combo from the 2025 GQ MOTY Awards
Africa Month Spotlight: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie becomes second African author to Attend the Met Gala
Tems leaves fans in awe with mesmerising performance in South Africa