Tyla Clarifies Her Racial Identity After Awkward Interview with The Breakfast Club
Tyla, a South African singer, clarifies her racial identity after an awkward interview with The Breakfast Club, addressing the controversy surrounding her race and ethnicity.
Tyla Clarifies Her Racial Identity After Awkward Interview with The Breakfast Club
Tyla, a 22-year-old South African singer, has recently spoken out about her ethnicity following an awkward interview with The Breakfast Club, a popular US podcast. The interview sparked a heated online discussion about her race, particularly the term "coloured," which is widely used in her home country but carries different connotations in the United States.
During the interview, host Charlamagne Tha God asked Tyla about the social media discourse surrounding her ethnicity, prompting an uncomfortable exchange. Tyla's publicist intervened, suggesting the conversation move forward. However, the incident reignited online debate, prompting Tyla to clarify her thoughts on her race through Instagram stories.
In her statement, Tyla emphasized that she has never denied her blackness and that her mixed heritage includes black/Zulu, Irish, Mauritian/Indian, and Coloured ancestry. She explained that in South Africa, she would be classified as a Coloured woman, while in other places, she would be classified as a black woman. Tyla acknowledged that race is classified differently across the world and that she does not expect to be identified as Coloured outside of South Africa by those who are not comfortable doing so due to the historical associations of the term.
Tyla also emphasized that she is both Coloured in South Africa and a black woman, stating that she is a woman for the culture. She concluded by saying that she is not either-or, but rather both, and that she wants to close the conversation on this topic.
This incident highlights the complexities of racial identity and the importance of respecting individuals' self-identification. It also underscores the need for cultural sensitivity and understanding in global discussions about race.
Conclusion:
Tyla, a South African singer, recently faced an awkward interview with The Breakfast Club where she was asked about her racial identity. The conversation sparked an online debate, leading Tyla to clarify her thoughts on her race through Instagram stories. She emphasized that she is both Coloured in South Africa and a black woman, and that she is not either-or, but rather both.