Tyla Clears Up Rihanna Drama

South African singer Tyla has addressed one of the most talked-about moments of the 2026 Met Gala: a brief, viral interaction with Rihanna that the internet swiftly misread as a celebrity snub.

The exchange, which lasted only seconds at the end of the May 4 event at New York’s Metropolitan Museum of Art, spread rapidly across social media, with fans dissecting body language frame by frame and speculating about behind-the-scenes tension. Some even drew A$AP Rocky into the discourse after separate footage emerged of him speaking with Tyla during the evening.

In a TikTok video posted on May 6, Tyla set the record straight with characteristic humour. “I met her, but I think she was occupied,” she said. “I went up to her, I was like, ‘Oh hey,’ and she was like, ‘Hey, my baby daddy’s calling me,’ and then she left.”

The Johannesburg-born singer, who arrived at the gala in a striking teal Valentino gown widely praised by fashion commentators, admitted the moment left her flustered. “I felt awkward. I don’t know how to say hi if I feel like someone’s busy,” she said.

TMZ, citing sources close to the couple, confirmed there was no drama — Rihanna and Rocky were simply exhausted. “It was a long day and they were running on empty,” a source told the outlet.

Tyla, who has long cited Rihanna as one of her biggest inspirations, expressed hope for a genuine connection in the future. “When we do speak, if we do end up speaking ever, I want it to be calm so we both can just vibe and talk nicely,” she said.

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