Tyla finally breaks silence on backlash to identifying as ‘colored’

Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Tyla has spoken out about her identity after she previously received backlash for calling herself “colored.” The “Water” singer first called herself a “colored South African” in a TikTok back in 2020 which later resurfaced in 2023 with many people pointing out that the word “colored” was previously used as a negative term in the United States to describe Black people. ‘I know I’m a Black woman and I know I’m a colored woman as well and you can be both,’ Tyla said She explained South Africa experienced its own period of segregation where anyone who wasn’t white was classified as “colored.” “They chose to call people that were mixed ‘colored.’ And I’m not gonna lie, it was hard because all my life, obviously I knew ‘I’m Black’ but also knew that ‘I’m colored,’” the “Truth or Dare” singer said. What am I then?’” Tyla said this wasn’t the first time she’s questioned her identity as she recalled receiving negative comments about both her hair and skin color in elementary school. And then I went to high school, which was predominantly Black and cultured, and that’s where I actually grew to love myself and became really proud of who I am.” Since the backlash first started, Tyla admitted that she acknowledges that there will still be people who don’t fully understand her explanation but she feels comfortable with her own identity at this point.