She went from viral dance queen to Grammy-certified hitmaker, and now, Tyla is gracing the cover of British Vogue’s March 2025 issue, locking in another major milestone on her unstoppable run.
“Viral lyrics, captivating dance routines, and show-stopping fashion… In the blink of an eye, South African sensation Tyla has become music’s most intoxicating new mononym,” British Vogue says.
Sitting down with the magazine, Tyla peels back the layers of her journey—from her home in Johannesburg to a fast-paced life in New York, the weight of her newfound fame, and how she’s evolving in real time.
Tyla knew the dream before she could spell it out. “Since I was little, whenever anyone asked what I wanted to be, I always said, ‘I’m going to be a singer,’” she says, a prophecy she’s now living out on global stages.
Like every young girl outside the U.S. watching the industry from afar, Tyla didn’t always see a way in—until Rihanna changed that. “Coming from somewhere outside the States, I really looked up to her. I used to think you’re only going to become famous if you were born in America. She made me realise there’s another way.”
Even before Water flooded the internet, Tyla’s parents kept her grounded. “My parents have always been very protective. Even before Water, I would never go to the studio alone—I was very careful. But yeah, my parents are always worried.” Now, with the world at her feet, she moves with the same sense of caution.
The Big Apple’s concrete jungle is a world away from home. “Hmm, it’s very different. Sometimes I just miss having the sun, a yard, and my whole family around,” she admits. Thankfully, she’s got her sister by her side. “That’s why I love having my sister with me—she’s like a piece of home.”
Tyla owns her look like she owns her sound. “Playing dress-up is fun. And I love wearing heels. It just makes me feel more like a diva,” she says. Every outfit is intentional. “I’m very hands-on with everything I put out. I know how I want to feel that day and how I want to look.”
From South Africa to New York, from viral sensation to global superstar, Tyla is rewriting the playbook on how to rise, shine, and stay iconic.
Credits:
📸: @RafaelPavarotti_
👗: @Balenciaga, @Prada, @MarcJacobs
💄: @ChiaoLiHsu
💅: @ManicuredBySimone
🎭: @IbbyNjoya
🎬: @RagiDholakiaProductions
