A social media post by Barbadian music icon Rihanna has triggered renewed rivalry between fans of Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr and South African singer Tyla following the 2026 Met Gala.
The online debate gained momentum after a viral clip from the fashion event appeared to show Tyla standing nearby while Rihanna engaged in a separate conversation. The moment quickly sparked speculation across social media, with some users claiming the global superstar intentionally ignored the South African singer.
The controversy intensified after Rihanna shared a post featuring Ayra Starr’s track, “Who’s Dat Girl,” shortly after the Met Gala appearance. Several fans interpreted the music choice as a subtle endorsement of the Nigerian singer amid ongoing comparisons between both African stars.
Brandspur Brand News reports that reactions flooded X, formerly Twitter, as fans dissected Rihanna’s post and reignited long-running debates surrounding Ayra Starr and Tyla’s growing global influence in African music.
Some users described Rihanna’s song choice as deliberate, while others mocked Tyla over the now-viral interaction at the Met Gala. Supporters of Ayra Starr celebrated the development online, arguing that Rihanna’s use of the track carried symbolic meaning.
However, many fans defended Tyla and criticised attempts to create unnecessary rivalry between the two artistes. Others insisted the situation had been exaggerated by online fan communities seeking to fuel cross-border competition between Nigerian and South African music supporters.
Tyla had previously addressed the Met Gala interaction, dismissing claims of tension between herself and Rihanna. According to the singer, she chose not to interrupt Rihanna because the award-winning artist appeared occupied at the event.
The “Water” hitmaker also recalled an earlier meeting with Rihanna, describing the encounter as friendly and brief before the singer stepped away to answer a call from partner A$AP Rocky.
Ayra Starr has also repeatedly dismissed rumours of conflict with Tyla. In previous interviews, the Nigerian singer described Tyla as a close friend and criticised efforts to constantly pit female musicians against one another.
Despite repeated clarifications from both artistes, online fan rivalry between supporters of Ayra Starr and Tyla continues to dominate social media conversations, especially around awards, streaming achievements and international recognition within the Afrobeats and Amapiano scenes.
