South Africa’s rising star Tyla, who dominated the 2024 South African Music Awards (SAMAs) with several nominations and two big wins, was nowhere to be seen at the ceremony.
Story Summary:
- Rising star Tyla won Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album at the SAMAs but was a no-show.
- Fans are wondering if Tyla’s recent Grammy win and international awards have left her detached from her South African roots.
- Tyla acknowledged her win with a quick Instagram Story “Thank You SA” post but skipped the stage that celebrates her local success.
Tyla ghosts SAMAs 2024: Here’s what she won
Despite taking home Newcomer of the Year and Best Pop Album, Tyla’s seat was empty at the Gallagher Convention Centre, on Saturday.
She gave only a brief “Thank You SA” on Instagram Stories to acknowledge her awards, leaving fans and industry insiders wondering why she didn’t appear at her home country’s biggest music awards.
While she’s been busy accepting global accolades in person—from a Grammy for Best African Music Performance to two BET Awards—Tyla was a no-show for the awards show that represents South African music’s highest honours.
For an artist with roots firmly planted in South Africa’s vibrant music scene, her absence from the SAMAs stage has raised eyebrows.
This was Tyla’s first time eligible for SAMAs nominations, making it an even bigger statement that she ghosted her potential moment at home.
Her international career has skyrocketed, but her decision to skip the SAMAs suggests her focus might be shifting away from her South African audience.
The singer has attended every major international ceremony this year.
She even made history at the 2024 Grammy Awards by clinching the inaugural award for Best African Music Performance.
From snagging Best International Act at the BETs to becoming a familiar face on the global awards circuit, Tyla has been stacking up accolades across continents.
And maybe, just maybe, she’s become a little too big for her home turf awards—or at least that’s what her SAMA absence has some fans speculating.
Whether it’s a matter of scheduling or a realignment of priorities, Tyla’s absence was as loud as her wins.
The SAMAs 2024 ceremony was still ongoing when this article was published, and the singer was still up for the night’s biggest categories, Ukhozi FM Female Artist of the Year and SAMPRA Album of the Year.
