<p id=”par-1_65″><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/every-clue-that-tyla-and-travis-scott-are-dating-so-far.html/”>Tyla Laura Seethal</a>, better <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/news/tyla-turns-heads-barely-there-hot-pink-gown-victorias-secret-fashion-show-performance.html/”>known as Tyla</a>, has become a global sensation since her early hits in the 2020s. The pop star from Johannesburg, South Africa, went viral on TikTok for her music that’s strongly influenced by R&B and Afrobeats. And she’s also known for her incredible dance moves. Recently, Tyla opened up about her own insecurities, particularly regarding her body. Here’s what she said.</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-tyla-admitted-to-having-body-insecurities-before-she-attained-fame”>Tyla admitted to having body insecurities before she attained fame</h2>
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<p id=”par-2_104″>Tyla rose to international fame through early local momentum and social media virality. She first built attention in South Africa with her 2021 single “Getting Late.” And she began to stand out for her ability to blend smooth pop and R&B vocals with dance-driven beats rooted in South African sound. Her breakthrough came in 2023 with “Water,” a track that exploded on TikTok through a viral dance challenge. The song’s success positioned her as one of the first South African pop artists to achieve sustained global crossover in the streaming era. And her visibility was further amplified by international performances and major label support.</p>
<p id=”par-3_74″>In an interview published by <a href=”https://spotlight.i-d.co/tyla” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>i-D Magazine</a> in April 2026, Tyla opened up about her upbringing in South Africa. She explained how she didn’t have a “100-step” beauty routine. “Any soap, just wash your face, drench yourself in shea butter at night,” she said. Tyla added that her mother “always” had a pixie cut that she slicked back with a Sunlight soap bar. And her mom always wore eyeliner, mascara, and a red lip.</p>
<p id=”par-4_57″>The pop star noted that growing up with curly, big hair was difficult. “Straightening our hair was a thing,” she noted. “If it was frizzy, it was considered untidy. I got out of that mindset real quick, thanks to YouTube!” Tyla noted that watching tutorials from women with hair like hers made her “love” her own hair.</p>
<p id=”par-5_37″>So, how does Tyla stay confident? She told the magazine that she believes confidence comes from “knowing who you are.” Additionally, she dances in the mirror “without clothes.” But she didn’t always feel this secure in herself.</p>
<p id=”par-6_51″>“Definitely my body,” she told the publication when asked about feeling self-conscious growing up. “You know, South African girls have insane bodies! … Growing up, I always felt very slim. I didn’t know what to do with [my body]. Obviously, I’ve gotten to a point where I find beauty in it….”</p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-the-pop-star-previously-said-she-felt-weird-about-public-scrutiny”>The pop star previously said she felt ‘weird’ about public scrutiny</h2>
<p id=”par-7_40″>Tyla previously noted that she felt “weird” when others criticized her music or dance moves. “For a while, I just felt like, damn, relax,” she told KISS XTRA, according to <a href=”https://www.complex.com/music/a/treyalston/tyla-admits-getting-used-to-public-scrutiny” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Complex</a>. “Because, I don’t know. It was just getting annoying.”</p>
<p id=”par-8_80″>“I kind of had to get used to people just being interested and embrace it now, but at the time, I was like, ‘Y’all gonna analyze every little thing I do?’” she continued. “For a while, I felt weird about it, but then I just realized that you kind of have to do what you want, do it the way you want, and everyone’s going to have their own take on it, their own opinion on it, and that’s OK.”</p>