Pop culture

5 Surprising Facts About Tyla, the Popiano Princess

From her viral “Water” dance challenge to her history-making Grammy win, discover some things about the singer you may not know.

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Tyla attends Jacquemus Fall/Winter 2025. Getty Images.

Tyla is the global pop sensation on our radars.

The South African singer skyrocketed to fame with her hypnotic voice, magnetic stage presence, and genre-defying sound. She first captured hearts in 2022 with her breakout hit “Getting Late,” a shimmering amapiano anthem that put her on the map. But her Grammy Award-winning hit “Water” truly cemented her as one of the most exciting new artists of her generation. The single—released in 2023—went on to dominate global charts and spawned a viral dance challenge in TikTok, proving the 23 year-old-is here to stay.

Tyla’s star power doesn’t stop at her music. Known for her captivating performances, she’s brought her signature mix of sultry choreography and soaring vocals to stages worldwide. Her ability to fuse amapiano, pop, and R&B has not only showcased her versatility but also introduced South African sounds to a broader audience. (Her music is often described as "popiano" for its blended styles.) Beyond her artistry, her influence in fashion is undeniable too. She’s become a trendsetting icon in just a few years, gracing red carpets in daring, high-fashion looks (courtesy of stylist Ron Hartleben) that reflect her bold personality. Remember that sheer, cutout Versace dress in 2024? Her music videos also inspire, like her look that made quite the wave in “Push 2 Start” last year.

Keep scrolling to read some surprising facts about the Popiano Princess and her ongoing journey to the top.

She has three siblings.

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Tyla and her sister Sydney at the the MTV EMAs in 2024. Getty Images.

The Johannesburg-born singer—born Tyla Laura Seethal—is the one of four. Her siblings include Whitney Jasmin, Sydney, and Tyrese Seethal. Whitney Jasmine is an audiologist, Sydney is a TikTok influencer, and Tyrese is an entrepreneur.  

She used her eye for design went she was coming up.

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Tyla in Roberto Cavalli for the MTV EMAs in 2024. Getty Images.

Tyla’s flair for eccentric fashion traces back to her early days in South Africa, where her resourcefulness and creativity laid the foundation for her unique style. "When I was still coming up in South Africa, I didn't have money to spend on custom looks. So me and my best friend used to grab a bunch of things and tie it everywhere and cut them up just to make a cute performance outfit," she told Fashionista last year.

She was discovered by her manager on Instagram.

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Tyla performing at the MTV EMAs in 2024. Getty Images.

Just a few years ago, Tyla began sharing videos of herself singing both covers and original songs on Instagram, hoping to catch the attention of industry professionals. Despite sending them to “literally everyone in the industry,” her messages were left unopened, she told i-D in 2021. But one day, an email from a potential manager landed in her inbox. Convinced it was a scam, she ignored it—until his persistence paid off. Once she finally responded, everything changed.

She's never taken dance classes or had formal training.

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Tyla performing at the Outside Lands Music Festival in 2024. Getty Images

Despite her mesmerizing onstage presence and fluid choreography, Tyla has never had formal dance training. Instead, her passion for movement has been entirely self-taught, fueled by an innate love for dance. “When I was small, I was convinced that I was the best dancer,” she recalled to i-D. Without ever stepping into a structured class, she experimented with everything from belly dancing to krumping, eventually embracing the amapiano-inspired moves that now define her style.

She's the youngest African artist to win a Grammy 

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Tyla with her Grammy for Best African Music Performance in 2024. Getty Images.

Tyla received the inaugural Grammy Award for Best African Music Performance for her hit song “Water” at the 2024 ceremony. And she made history in the process, becoming the youngest African artist to win a Grammy award ever. The honor wasn’t lost on her: "I never thought I’d say I won a Grammy at 22 years old," the South African singer said in her acceptance speech.

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