Tyla Addresses Identity Controversy
Tyla is setting the record straight—again.
The 23-year-old South African singer has once more addressed the ongoing debate surrounding her racial identity, making it clear that she stands firm in who she is.
In a new interview with British Vogue, the March cover star stated, “You know that even if you give the best explanation, people will still choose not to understand,” before adding, “But I’m at a point where I know who I am. I know I’m a Black woman, and I know I’m a Coloured woman as well, and you can be both. And the people that care to learn, they understand now. And that’s enough for me.”
The controversy around Tyla’s identity isn’t new. Back in 2020, before she shot to stardom, a TikTok video surfaced where she described herself as a “Coloured South African,” emphasizing her mixed cultural background. While her statement may have been commonplace in South Africa, where “Coloured” is an officially recognized identity, the term holds a much different meaning abroad—especially in the U.S., where it is considered outdated and offensive.
The topic resurfaced last June during her appearance on “The Breakfast Club,” when Charlamagne tha God pressed her to explain what it means to be a “South African Coloured person.” At the time, she sidestepped the question but later took to X to clarify her stance.
“Never denied my Blackness, idk where that came from,” she wrote. She further explained that she has a diverse heritage, including Black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured ancestry. In South Africa, she is recognized as a Coloured woman, but in other places, she is seen as a Black woman.
“I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of Southa by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside of SA,” she added. “But close to this conversation, I’m both Coloured in South Africa and a Black [woman].”
Despite the ongoing discourse, Tyla seems unbothered by the opinions of those unwilling to engage in a nuanced discussion.
