SZA Defends Tyla Against VMAs Body-Shaming: “She's Drop Dead Gorgeous”
- SZA publicly called out critics who targeted Tyla's appearance at the 2026 MTV VMAs red carpet in Los Angeles
- Tyla attended the awards as a presenter, wearing a snakeskin two-piece by Nigerian designer Mowalola that drew online scrutiny
- Fans and pop culture accounts rallied behind SZA's defence, with many condemning the resurgence of harsh online beauty standards
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Source: Getty Images
SZA has put her foot down. The American R&B superstar stepped into a growing online conversation about body image after critics turned their attention to South African artist Tyla's appearance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards.
Tyla attended the ceremony at the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles as a presenter, wearing a snakeskin two-piece by Nigerian designer Mowalola. The structured bra top and low-rise skirt drew both admiration and unwanted scrutiny, with some social media users subjecting the Grammy winner to harsh physical commentary in the days that followed.
SZA shuts down the critics
A screenshot circulating on X captured a moment that had fans talking. It showed SZA liking an Instagram Reel from Evie Magazine that called out the online trolling directed at Tyla. She also left a comment that left little room for interpretation:
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"This can't be real? lol she's drop dead gorg. Wrap this sh*t the fk up!"
The response was immediately celebrated online. SZA, who has been openly vocal about unrealistic beauty standards and online harassment, used her platform to rally behind the South African star and signal solidarity between two of music's most prominent women. The broader sentiment across the thread was one of frustration with what many fans described as a revival of extreme Y2K-era body scrutiny, and gratitude that a star of SZA's stature was willing to speak plainly about it.
Mzansi and fans react
The comment section and quote posts did not hold back. Below are some of the reactions:
@newchickon37491 said:
"Awwwwww I'm glad everyone is waking up and noticing how horrible the internet and Ayra Starr and Rihanna fans are towards Tyla."
@popstarrrrrs wrote:
"We love a supportive Queen."
@chentorresbones added:
"In SZA I trust! Like period, wrap it up, Tyla is gorg!"
@25meshlum asked:
"Idk why people are hating, she is so beautiful and sexy."
@Pikachu3313 said:
"Her fans are mental, and they want everyone to be just like them. This can not be the beauty standard again. We can not go back to this culture of claiming people who are already very thin are fat. Ozempic needs to be banned before it rots more people’s brains."
@princessmay6997 questioned:
"Fat where? The Ozempic epidemic is killing people's brains!"
@Lordspankher offered:
"Funny enough, it's always the Blobs that'll body shame better-looking women."
Tyla presented this year’s MVAs
Tyla received an official confirmation as a presenter at this year's MTV VMAs.
Fans are split, with some excited about the honour while others felt she deserved a performance slot instead.
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Source: Briefly News
