Tyla’s VMAs outfit sparks online debate over body shaming

Grammy Award-winning South African pop star Tyla turned heads on the MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs) red carpet wearing a striking turquoise-and-grey snakeskin two-piece by Nigerian designer Mowalola.

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However, while style enthusiasts celebrated the bold ensemble, the outfit sparked a fierce online debate surrounding body shaming, shifting beauty standards, and double standards women in pop culture face.

The ensemble highlighted the Johannesburg-born singer’s signature Y2K aesthetic. Yet, across platforms like X (formerly Twitter), a wave of critical commentary quickly detracted from the fashion statement itself.

From fashion statement to unprovoked scrutiny

Viral posts comparing Tyla’s current red-carpet appearance to imagery from her earlier teen years prompted critical remarks about her waistline and natural physique. Critics questioned her choice of revealing attire and argued her silhouette had changed, sparking widespread accusations of online body shaming.

The backlash ignited immediate pushback from fans and industry peers who condemned the unrealistic expectations placed on young female artists as their bodies naturally mature. American singer-songwriter SZA joined the defence online, publicly shutting down body-shaming comments and praising Tyla’s appearance on the red carpet.

So this is the woman they are fat shaming on my timeline. Saying her waist is “fading” pic.twitter.com/6gBWSzjfOO

— Doja_pink23 (@ItsAlrightRaina) September 29, 2026

Cultural commentators noted that the scrutiny reflects a broader online trend, often termed ‘Ozempic brain,’ where social media users have become accustomed to extreme, rapid weight-loss trends, distorting public perceptions of healthy body types.

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Navigating style, artistry, and global stardom

Tyla has frequently spoken about treating fashion as an expressive extension of her musical artistry, previously sharing the ethos that “my body is the outfit.”

Despite the online noise, the Mowalola design continues to be hailed by major fashion publications as one of the night’s most daring looks, emphasising African design on a global stage.

The incident underscores the relentless digital microscope under which global pop stars operate as they navigate international success.

While digital critics continue to police women’s bodies under the guise of fashion commentary, Tyla’s refusal to shrink or conform reinforces her status as a trailblazer.

By unapologetically taking up space on global stages and championing African design, she proves that true star power lies not in pleasing online algorithms, but in defining one’s own narrative on the world stage.

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