South African global star Tyla has opened up about her journey from a bedroom singer in South Africa to an international pop sensation, discussing fame, identity, creativity, and her upcoming album A*POP during an appearance on Apple Music’s The Ebro Show.
During the interview, Tyla reflected on the unexpected path that has taken her from making videos and singing at home with her family to performing on a global stage while navigating the pressures and expectations that come with worldwide recognition.
The singer admitted that she never imagined her career would reach its current heights, describing the experience as a story filled with both triumphs and challenges.
“I could have never predicted any of this,” Tyla said. “Everything from the good times to the bad times, it was really a story. I feel like I could write a movie about this journey.”
Tyla recalled her life before fame as simple and grounded, growing up in South Africa surrounded by family before her music began reaching audiences around the world.
“I remember just being in South Africa, simple life, no drama, nothing. Just me, my siblings, my family and just making videos and singing, and my life completely changing to now being in front of the world, opinions,” she shared.
While the transition into global stardom came with challenges, Tyla said the experience has helped her grow stronger and become more confident in herself. She explained that she entered the music industry with an innocent view of fame but quickly learned the importance of having a strong mindset and staying true to who she is.
“When I came in I feel like I was very green and I had a very innocent idea of the world and the industry,” she said. “I thought it’s all like rainbows and ‘Yay, I get to sing!’ and it is that, but it’s also—you have to be strong-minded in order to stay yourself in all of this.”
Now 24, Tyla says she feels more prepared than ever to embrace the opportunities ahead.
“Right now I’m the most confident I’ve ever been. I’m strong, I’m excited, I’m at peace,” she said.
The Grammy-winning artist also discussed the inspiration behind her upcoming album A*POP, explaining that the title represents African Pop and her desire to expand the global understanding of what an African pop star can be.
According to Tyla, the project is about showcasing the diversity of African creativity rather than being limited by expectations of how African artists should sound or look.
“A*POP is literally me trying to extend the idea of what an African pop star looks like, what an African pop star sounds like,” she explained.
Tyla addressed conversations surrounding her identity and criticism from some audiences who have questioned whether she represents Africa in a way they expect. She said those discussions have helped her understand the importance of cultural context and how different communities interpret identity.
“When I was able to travel the world and learn more about the world, I learned just how big the world is, how different each country is, how different context is,” she said.
The singer added that while those conversations have been difficult at times, they have also created opportunities for greater understanding.
“I think it was a very important thing for me to go through and learn and for the conversations to just open up,” she said.
Tyla also spoke about public perceptions of her personality, including claims that she has a “mean girl” image. The singer pushed back on that idea, describing herself as someone who is simply honest and direct.
“I like to think that I’m kind,” she said. “I really am opinionated and blunt.”
She explained that her communication style comes from her upbringing and culture, where openness and honesty are natural parts of everyday interactions.
“Where I’m from, the way we are, we just talk,” Tyla said. “Things aren’t that serious. We’re human, guys, relax. We can all talk.”
Despite the pressures of being a global celebrity, Tyla said she does not want fame to prevent her from living authentically.
“I still want to be a 24-year-old girl,” she said. “I don’t want being a pop star to stop my life and make me feel like now I’m in jail.”
With A*POP, Tyla is looking to continue pushing the boundaries of African music on the world stage. The album follows the success of her breakout global hit “Water,” which helped introduce South African sounds to a wider international audience and established her as one of the most exciting young voices in global pop.
As she continues to navigate fame, cultural conversations, and artistic growth, Tyla remains focused on authenticity and using her platform to redefine what African pop music can represent.