Tyla and Halle Bailey have addressed the criticism over their viral 2024 MTV VMAs moment where the South African singer asked her presenters to hold her trophy upon acceptance.
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In case you missed it, on Wednesday night (September 11), Tyla won the award for “Best Afrobeats” for her breakout and global track “Water.”
Presenting the award were singer Halle Bailey and rapper Lil Nas X. Upon calling out the winner of the category, Tyla made her way down to the stage from her seat in the audience. Once on the stage with Lil Nas X and Halle Bailey, the former extended his left hand out to give Tyla the iconic MTV VMAs Moonman trophy.
Joining him, Halle Bailey extended her right hand out to give Tyla the envelope naming her the winner of the award. As Tyla held her Moonman in her left hand, with her right hand supporting the weight, Bailey continued to try and hand off the envelope to Tyla who refused to take it from her.
Tyla then raised her right hand in a shooing gesture as Halle Bailey accepted reality and walked to the side off the stage with Lil Nas X. Whether Tyla intentionally meant to “shoo” Bailey or it just happened, fans took the moment and ran with it. Immediately taking to social media and calling her out for being “rude” and other nasty synonyms.
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As Tyla began to face the audience and deliver her acceptance speech, she immediately addressed the interaction moments ago. She said, “You guys know me and holding awards. I’m not strong enough.” She then offered the trophy back to Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X pleading, “Please, please.”
Bailey stood her ground and remained put, but let off a little laugh. Stepping in, Lil Nas X, held out his left hand, grabbing the trophy back from Tyla, who added, “Yes, thank you! I’m sorry!” She then continued to list off her many thanks to her fans, “the Tygas,” MTV, God, and everyone else.
Following the full interaction, social media continued to drag Tyla, who identifies as a “Colored South African,” for coming off as “pretentious” and treating Black Americans as “The Help” or “peasants.” Despite all of the controversy and criticism, Tyla and Halle Bailey claim people are taking things a bit out of proportion.
Following the drama last night, Tyla took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, “Y’all make everything weird… I was not asking my girl Halle… We just girls 💅🏽. STFU I WON A VMAAAA.” Halle replied to her tweet and said, “exactly ♥️♥️ love u babes congrats 🎉.” Tyla replied back to Bailey and said, “❤️ thank youuuu.”
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