Online Reporter
Tyla may have arrived at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards ready to make a fashion statement, but the conversation surrounding her appearance quickly shifted from her outfit to her body.
The South African star attended the awards ceremony in Los Angeles on Sunday, 27 September, where she served as one of the presenters and introduced BLACKPINK’s Lisa ahead of her performance.
She turned heads on the red carpet in a turquoise snakeskin two-piece by Nigerian designer Mowalola, consisting of a bra-style top and an ultra-low-rise skirt.
While Tyla’s bold look attracted plenty of attention, photos from the evening also prompted a wave of comments about her body on social media.
Some users claimed that the singer had gained weight and focused specifically on changes to her waist. Others compared her recent appearance with older images, with the discussion quickly turning into criticism of her figure.
The comments did not go unnoticed, however, with fans pushing back against the scrutiny and questioning why Tyla’s body had become such a major talking point.
One social-media user described the reaction as concerning, particularly because Tyla was still visibly fit while being subjected to criticism over her appearance. Others reminded critics that celebrities are human beings whose bodies can naturally change over time.
American singer SZA also joined the conversation, defending Tyla against the criticism. SZA praised the South African star’s appearance and pushed back against the negative comments directed at her.
Commenting on an Instagram post calling out the body-shaming, the singer wrote: “This can’t be real? lol she’s drop dead gorg. Wrap this sh*t the fk up!”
Her response was met with support from fans, many of whom agreed that the focus on Tyla’s body had gone too far.
The backlash comes as Tyla continues to establish herself as a global pop and fashion figure. Her VMAs appearance was widely covered for its daring styling, with fashion publications highlighting the Mowalola look as one of the night’s standout outfits.
The incident has once again raised questions about the intense scrutiny female celebrities face online, where a red-carpet appearance can quickly become a discussion about weight, body shape and whether a woman’s appearance meets changing beauty standards – IOL
