Nigerian singer Tems has opened up about her experience in a toxic relationship, describing her former partner as “obsessive and possessive.”
Speaking in an interview with media personality Angie Martinez, the Essence crooner explained that the relationship conflicted with her understanding of love, which she believes should be based on partnership rather than control.
Tems noted that toxic relationships can be emotionally draining, especially when the other person is unaware of their behavior.
“I have experienced love where I thought it was love but it was more like when someone is trying to own you. They think that they own you. And that’s not love.
“Love is not obsession. And it is not possession. I can’t own another human being. Love is when both of you become one person.
“We don’t own each other, we are each other. I feel everyone has experienced toxic love with someone who doesn’t even know that they are toxic.
“They say they love you but they don’t know that they don’t even love you. Because you can’t love someone you feel you own,” she expressed.
She emphasised that true love should be mutual and freeing, rather than controlling or possessive.
