Tyla is seen at the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards at UBS Arena on 11 September 2024 in Elmont, New York. (Gotham/WireImage)
- South African pop star Tyla has caused quite a stir after a video of her dancing with Usher went viral, along with her asking Lil Nas X to hold her VMA.
- Celebrities like Cardi B and Joe Budden have chimed in as part of the people reacting to Tyla not allowing Usher to “grind” on her.
- Cardi B defended Tyla during a voice chat on the social media platform X.
South African pop star Tyla has caused quite a stir after a video of her dancing with Usher went viral, along with the superstar asking Lil Nas X to hold her VMA.
Celebrities like Cardi B and Joe Budden have chimed in on the trending topic.
In the video, Usher is seen dancing with Tyla while her song Water plays during his concert, but as he gets closer, she moves away.
During a podcast, Budden ranted about how Tyla was disrespectful to Usher, but the co-hosts on his show all disagreed with him.
The other show members said Budden was being out of line and that what he said sounded “dumb”.
“Once you hit the stage and you are a performer and your song is on and a legend [Usher] is trying to highlight you, there is a way to do that – to do sh*t that she did. She did it in a way that looked real nasty, and I thought this before the VMAs,” Budden said.
The co-hosts pointed out that Usher went to her in the crowd and that Tyla is in a relationship. Tyla’s fans also defended her in the comments of the Joe Budden clip, raising similar points and mentioning that Keke Palmer previously faced criticism for dancing with Usher.
Budden talked about the Usher video after reading a viral social media post by YouTuber Armon Wiggins, who accused Tyla of being “entitled” and not understanding American culture.
Budden said he agreed with Wiggins’ assessment.
In reaction to Tyla winning an MTV VMA, Wiggins wrote on the social media platform X:
Hey I don’t think I like TYLA’s personality. I think someone needs to check her cus she doesn’t understand American Culture AT ALL… she almost gives off entitled or uppity African idk how to explain it but it’s very off-putting and it’s almost like she expects people to just fall to her feet [sic].
Tyla had briefly changed her bio to “Entitled uppity African” on X as a response to Wiggins. This led to her fans doing the same and turning the controversial phrase into a meme.
Tyla also posted, “Y’all make everything weird… I was not asking my girl Halle… We just girls, STFU I WON A VMAAAA [sic].”
After receiving her award, Tyla said on stage: “You guys know me and holding awards, yoh hai. I’m not strong enough,” she said before asked presenter Lil Nas X to hold her trophy.
The Old Town Road singer came forward to help Tyla by holding her award while she gave an acceptance speech.
“Please, please, are you able to hold for me? Yes, thank you, I’m sorry,” Tyla said to Lil Nas X while handing over the ‘moonman’.
READ | Tyla hits back at critics for making ‘everything weird’ after awkward MTV Video Music Award moment
Among the notable names who defended Tyla regarding the VMA moment was Cardi B.
“I just don’t think you guys understand how heavy those awards are,” Cardi B said in a group chat on X.
She also talked about how she met Tyla in person and that she was smaller than her.
“Y’all trying to make this into like, ‘Oh, how rude is she to ask another female artist to hold her award like she’s the help.’ I love Halle [Bailey], but she didn’t even ask Halle to hold the award; she asked Lil Nas X, a man, to hold it,” Cardi B said.
The rapper then addressed Wiggins’ comments about Tyla and shared a personal story about her older sister, who is also confident.
