Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla has addressed and debunked claims questioning her racial identity.
Rival fans on social media had alleged that the 22-year-old singer is “white/Indian” and not black.
In a statement shared on her X page Thursday night, Tyla clarified that she is of mixed race. She emphasized that her heritage includes black/Zulu, Irish, and Mauritian/Indian ancestry.
She explained that in her native South Africa, she would be classified as “Coloured,” but outside her country, she would be recognized as a black woman.
The ‘Water’ hitmaker asserted that she has never denied her black identity.
Her statement read: “Yoh guys, [I have] never denied my blackness, idk where that came from…
“I’m mixed with black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured.
“In Southa I would be classified as a Coloured woman and in other places, I would be classified as a black woman.
“Race is classified differently in different parts of the world.
“I don’t expect to be identified as Coloured outside of Southa by anyone not comfortable doing so because I understand the weight of that word outside of SA. But to close this conversation, I’m both Coloured in South Africa and a black woman.”