“I don’t understand the tyla hate”: Internet reacts as Tyla stops performance to check on a fan in the crowd at Global Citizen Festival

After stopping her performance mid-way at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival in New York City to check on a fan in the audience, South African singer Tyla ignited a surge of internet conversation and admiration. Fans praised her attentiveness and care as the video went viral. A fan commented:

“I don’t understand the tyla hate.”

Over 60,000 people attended the Global Citizen Festival, which took place on Saturday on the Great Lawn in Central Park. The event featured live music, advocacy, and activism.

The event also featured Cardi B, Shakira, Arya Starr, Mariah the Scientist, Camilo, and Elyanna. Even RoSÉ, from the South Korean girl group, made a special appearance, but Tyla became the standout performer as she paused her set to check up on someone.

The internet reacts as Tyla stops her performance to check on a fan in the crowd at the Global Citizen Festival

Following Tyla's incident at the Global Citizen Festival, netizens took to the internet to voice their admiration and defend the South African singer. A user said:

“I don’t understand the tyla hate...she's a beautiful girl and she can actually sing.”

Following this, more users chimed in, and another user pointed out:

"Her mic was on and I love that for her."

A third user asked what was behind the persistent hostility, commenting:

"Why does everyone dislike her again? I forgot vocal are on point."

A user who attended the event showed her love and support by commenting:

"I was there & idek what happened up front but i know that we were cheering her on for doing that & calling it out, she's such a sweetheart."

Another fan defended her identity, writing:

"No DNA just RSA! We love you Tyla. We don't care what any other nation says and I'm pretty sure you don't care either."

Another user highlighted the impossible expectations that is placed on public figures:

"If she didn't stop and it was real yall would say she has no soul or cares for ppl or her fans but when she does it ppl say it gotta be fake or a setup Imao can't win Imao."

While another lauded her talent and her ability to care:

"Her voice is so pretty and this was really sweet. Good job for caring about your fans."

Tyla's ongoing criticism

Despite having moments as these, Tyla has been the subject of ongoing internet criticism, mostly due to misconceptions over her race. She identifies as Coloured in South Africa, a term used in the apartheid-era categorization system to describe persons of mixed descent.

She faced backlash for this, as they questioned her identification, confusing it with her black background.

In interviews, Tyla has responded to these criticisms by elucidating the term's cultural and historical background. Although she understands all perspectives, she said she has found the public discussion to be perplexing and occasionally "shaking," pointing out that it frequently misrepresents who she is in a U.S. context.

Among other celebrities that have come to her defense, Cardi B is also one. She opened up about this in an X Spaces chat with fans. Cardi B, who has also experienced criticisms recently when she was pregnant, said:

“People been dragging the sh*t out of Tyla and it’s, like, the girl don’t even f**king address or talk about nothing.”

Adding on how exhausting it can be to see “thousands of videos” where they criticise them, she said:

“They beat your energy and they beat your confidence, they beat you to the f**king ground.”

She vented her frustration:

“Goddamn, what do you want her to f**king do, cut her f**king veins? Like, enough. Enough. I really think that’s what y’all be wanting.”

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