During a recent X Spaces conversation with fans, Cardi B got real about the ugly side of social media — and she didn’t hold back. Using South African breakout star Tyla as a prime example, the Bronx rapper shed light on how online hate can crush a celebrity’s spirit.
In true Cardi fashion, she started by reflecting on her own past experiences with body shaming during pregnancy, then pivoted to the non-stop negativity Tyla’s been getting.
“People been dragging the *** out of Tyla, and it’s, like, the girl doesn’t even *** address or talk about anything,” Cardi said. She explained how some people seem to dislike celebrities who don’t constantly feed into drama. “They beat your energy and they beat your confidence; they beat you to the *** ground,” she continued, pointing out how exhausting it is to see “thousands of videos” aimed at breaking someone down.
Cardi admitted she doesn’t know every detail about why Tyla has been targeted, but said the constant wave of negativity is impossible to ignore. “Goddamn, what do you want her to *** do, cut her *** veins? Like, enough. Enough. I really think that’s what y’all be wanting,” she said passionately.
For readers who’ve been following Hollywood Unlocked’s coverage of social media backlash against artists, this moment echoes our past reports on how constant online criticism can push entertainers to their breaking point.
The Roots of Tyla’s Backlash
Much of the criticism toward Tyla traces back to a resurfaced 2020 TikTok where she referred to herself as a “Coloured South African.” Things escalated when she chose not to answer a direct question from Charlamagne Tha God about her ethnicity during a 2023 appearance on The Breakfast Club.
In a later interview with Variety, Tyla admitted the backlash was “confusing” and said she could understand why some people felt a way, but she still felt “shaken” by having her identity picked apart. Earlier this year, she elaborated further in her British Vogue cover story, explaining why she avoided Charlamagne’s question — she didn’t want to unpack her cultural identity in a space where she feared her words would be twisted.
She also broke down the history behind the term “coloured” in South Africa. Under apartheid — a racist system of segregation that lasted until the 1990s — “coloured” referred to a specific mixed-race classification. Tyla said while she identifies as Black, she also grew up identifying as “coloured” in the South African context, which clashed with how the term is viewed in the U.S.
Why Cardi B’s Words Hit Different
Cardi B’s comments are striking because she’s been through the same public dragging that Tyla is now experiencing. As someone who’s had every part of her life dissected online, she understands the toll it takes.
By publicly defending Tyla, Cardi is challenging the toxic culture where fans and trolls alike feel entitled to tear down artists over misunderstandings, cultural differences, or personal choices. She’s also reminding people that celebrities are still human — with emotions and limits — even when they seem untouchable.
This moment is bigger than Tyla. It’s about how the internet has made it easy to strip away empathy when talking about real people behind the music, films, and art we consume.