Tyla Breaks Silence on Stage: “Too Many People Lying on My Name”

South African star Tyla has finally addressed the ongoing controversy surrounding her identity, and she chose one of the biggest stages to do it. During her performance in São Paulo, the Grammy-winning artist paused mid-show, looked out at the cheering crowd, and said the words that her fans had been waiting to hear: “Too many people lying on my name.”

Tyla during her performance of ‘Mr. Media’ in Brazil:

“Too many people lying on my name” https://t.co/F4Ev1ozzU2

— Pop Base (@PopBase) August 21, 2025

The moment was short, but it was powerful. For weeks, Tyla’s name has been caught in heated debates online, especially after an old 2023 interview on The Breakfast Club resurfaced. In that interview, the singer described herself as “coloured,” a word that carries different meanings depending on where you are in the world.

In South Africa, “Coloured” is a widely used term to describe people of mixed-race heritage. But in the United States, the same word is considered offensive, with painful historical ties to segregation and racism. Because of this, the resurfaced clip created a storm of confusion and anger overseas. Tyla and her team initially chose not to respond, but her silence only added more fuel to the fire.

Eventually, Tyla released a statement to clear the air. Speaking to Variety Magazine, she explained: “I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of [South Africa] by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside [of South Africa]. But to close this conversation, I’m both Coloured in South Africa and a Black woman.”

Her words brought some clarity, but reactions were still divided. Many Black American listeners felt Tyla missed a chance to connect with them by not addressing the issue sooner. Some even linked the controversy to the underwhelming sales of her EP We Wanna Party, which reportedly sold about 3,700 copies.

But Tyla is not standing alone. Global superstar Cardi B recently defended her, calling out the culture of tearing down young artists online. Cardi’s support reminded fans that the industry can be cruel, but solidarity among women in music still exists.

For Tyla, however, the São Paulo stage wasn’t just about clearing her name—it was about reminding the world why she is one of the fastest-rising stars today. After her bold statement, she went straight back to performing her hit songs like “Is It” and “Art,” showing her fans the same energy and talent that catapulted her to international fame.

The night ended not with controversy, but with music. Tyla proved that while the online world may debate her identity, her artistry is what truly defines her.