Popular Grammy-winning South African singer Tyla Laura Seethal, fondly called Tyla, has refuted claims questioning her racial identity.
Rival fans on social media alleged that the singer is “white/Indian” rather than black.
While responding to these claims in a statement on her X handle on the 13th of June, Tyla clarified that she is of mixed race.
The singer detailed her heritage, which includes black/Zulu, Irish, and Mauritian/Indian ancestry.
The 22-year-old singer explained that in South Africa, she would be classified as “Coloured,” but outside her country, she would be recognized as a black woman.
The ‘Water’ artist affirmed 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 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.”