Tyla on Fame, Criticism and Knowing Who She Is

When Tyla appeared on the cover of Glamour’s Women of the Year issue, she was already one of South Africa’s most recognisable artists. The Johannesburg-born singer had just made history as the first African artist to win a Grammy for Best African Music Performance with her global hit, Water. But the interview showed another side of her: one that deals with fame and scrutiny away from the stage.

Tyla – Instagram

“I realised that people just like to talk,” she told Glamour. “That’s just my life now.” It’s a calm response from someone who has learned to live with the constant attention that comes with international fame. Tyla’s social media presence and fast rise have made her a subject of endless commentary, but she doesn’t let it change her approach. “What’s the point of life if everything is based on what other people think about you?” she said.

The 23-year-old often links her attitude to how she grew up. “We were outside every day, in the grass, in the streets,” she recalled in the same interview. “We’d sell clothes on the road, buy sweets, then do it again tomorrow.” Her background in Johannesburg, she explained, taught her how to stay grounded and work hard. Those values still guide her today.

Tyla – Instagram

That confidence has also been tested in the public eye. Earlier this year, a discussion around her identity gained attention online when Tyla described herself as a “coloured woman.” The term, common in South Africa, carries different meaning in other countries and sparked debate among international fans.

Tyla later explained that both sides of her identity are valid. “I know I’m a Black woman and I know I’m a coloured woman as well, and you can be both,” she said in a statement quoted by Blavity. She also clarified that she doesn’t expect people outside South Africa to identify her the same way. “In South Africa, I’m coloured. And I’m a Black woman too.”

Tyla – Instagram

Her words reflect the complexity of South African identity and how it can be misunderstood globally. Through it all, Tyla seems unfazed, focused on her music and her sense of self. “When who you are is challenged, it shakes you,” she said. “You want to stand your ground, because if you don’t, someone else will try to define it for you.”

At just 23, Tyla is learning to navigate global fame while holding on to where she comes from. And she’s doing it on her own terms.