Tyla addresses viral VMA moment; responds to online backlash

South African singer and songwriter Tyla has been facing a lot of backlash online for her appearance at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards. For those unaware, the 22-year-old singer asked Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X to help her hold her trophy at the award ceremony on Wednesday (Sep11).

The Little Mermaid star Halle Bailey, 24, and Industry Baby rapper Lil Nas X, 25, were onstage when Tyla accepted the award for Best Afrobeat at the event. She joked about the weight of the trophy and told the audience, “Oh my gosh, you guys know me and holding awards. Yo, I cannot — I’m not strong enough.”

During the exchange, Tyla briefly handed the award to Lil Nas X as she prepared to give her acceptance speech. While he hesitantly took the moon man, Bailey smiled but did not step in to assist. The moment went viral online and many netizens criticised Tyla for the same.

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Unfazed by the backlash, Tyla quickly took to social media to clarify the situation. “Y'all make everything weird… I was not asking my girl Halle,” the Johannesburg-born artist wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter). “We just girls, STFU I WON A VMAAAA.”

Tyla’s rise to fame has been nothing short of meteoric. In June 2024, she gave a stunning performance of her hit "Jump" at the BET Awards. The performance showcased her South African roots, featuring dancers painted as a giant tiger, a nod to her fanbase, affectionately called "Tygers."

Beyond music, Tyla has also made a name for herself in the fashion world. She made her Met Gala debut in May 2024. She wore a sand-inspired Balmain gown.