Tyla has opened up about the backlash she faced after an old video of her describing herself as “colored” went viral.
The South African singer said it was the first time she ever felt like she had to explain who she is.
Tyla added that the reaction shocked her because home was the word she had always grown up using.
It was part of her identity, so she never imagined it would create such a big debate in other countries.
The old TikTok clip started spreading online in 2023, with many people in the US criticizing her for using the term.
But in South Africa the word has a completely different meaning as it is used by many people of mixed race and has a long history linked to the country’s past.
Speaking to Apple Music, Tyla said the situation was difficult because she didn’t know how to explain something that had always felt normal to her.
She said that for 22 years she simply knew herself as “colored” because that’s what she was always told and what to write on official forms.
When she started traveling, the CHANEL hitmaker realized that words can mean very different things in different places.
She said it helped her understand why some people were hurt by the term.
Tyla also made it clear that she respects those sentiments, saying that being “colored” is part of her culture and South African history, while she also identifies as black.
Tyla hopes the conversation helps people understand different backgrounds instead of being quick to judge each other.
