Fashion influencer and actress Temi Otedola has opened up about her marriage to Afrobeats singer Mr Eazi and why she gladly took his surname after their wedding.
Temi, who now goes by Temi Ajibade on social media, said the decision was personal and one she was happy to make despite online criticism from Nigerians.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC on Wednesday, the daughter of billionaire businessman Femi Otedola said, “I’m now a married woman, the obvious thing for me is to take my husband’s name. But it’s my personal choice. I respect everybody’s personal choice. It’s what I’m comfortable and happy doing, but I also respect a woman’s ability to choose.”
She described Mr Eazi as her best friend and life partner, adding, “Changing my surname to his was something I was happy to do. It’s a personal choice, and I respect every woman’s decision whether or not they want to take their husband’s surname.”
Temi also explained why she and Mr Eazi kept their relationship and wedding details away from public attention. “I think it’s more about owning your own narrative. There’s something about moving in silence that allows you to have certain control over things. It allows you to build the narrative you want and share when you feel ready to share, and in the way you want to share it,” she said.
On her father’s recently published book, the actress said it offered deep lessons about his life and career. “My dad has a wealth of wisdom and I’ve been very fortunate as his daughter to learn from him growing up. But I believe he thought it was time that the rest of the world also learn and understand his journey as an entrepreneur and as a businessman,” she noted.
Temi admitted that growing up in privilege shaped her life but stressed that she has never denied it. “Oh, absolutely. You will never hear me on record saying it doesn’t. I think it’s very important for people who are privileged, especially people who are born into privilege, to acknowledge that leg up they’ve gotten in life,” she said.
She added that her father’s decision not to involve his children in his companies pushed them to carve out their own careers. “Initially, I was disappointed because of course me and my sisters thought one of us would take after daddy. But it turned out to be a blessing because he encouraged us to forge our own paths,” she explained.
Temi further revealed that her father’s resilience during tough times has remained her greatest source of inspiration.
