Tyla has clapped back at the haters for criticizing her after she seemingly requested Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X for a hand with her MTV VMA trophy.
The 22-year-old South African singer has been in the limelight since her breakout track “Water” hit the scene in 2023.
At the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, September 11, her single won the prize for best afrobeat.
While the Little Mermaid star, aged 24, and the “Industry Baby” sensation, aged 25, graced the stage to present her with the award, criticism ensued when Tyla was slammed on social media for seeking assistance due to the trophy’s weight.
“Oh my gosh,” the “Truth or Dare” artist said during the viral moment as Lil Nas X handed her the moon man. “You guys know me and holding awards. Yo, I cannot — I’m not strong enough.”
“‘Please, please,’ she urged, extending her moon man to them, prompting Lil Nas X to cautiously approach and briefly take the award for Tyla to deliver her acceptance speech. Bailey, on the other hand, remained unmoved with a smile.
Later, Tyla took to social media to set the record straight, affirming that she never requested the actress hold her trophy.
“Y’all make everything weird…,” the Johannesburg native wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that evening following the event. “I was not asking my girl Halle… We just girls, STFU I WON A VMAAAA.”
In late June, Tyla hit the stage at the 2024 BET Awards, showcasing her latest track “Jump” alongside Gunna and Skillibeng.
The captivating performance, reflecting her South African heritage, featured her starting off in a cage surrounded by dancers resembling a massive tiger, a subtle tribute to her devoted fanbase, the Tygers.
That night, she won Best New Artist and Best International Act, following four nominations at the BET Awards.
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