Tyla Responds to Online Backlash After Asking Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X to Hold Her MTV VMA

“Y'all make everything weird," the South African singer said

<p>Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty</p> Tyla

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Tyla

Tyla is dismissing the haters after she seemingly asked Halle Bailey and Lil Nas X for help holding her MTV VMA trophy.

The South African singer and songwriter, 22, has been making waves since her smash hit “Water” debuted in 2023. During the 2024 MTV Video Music Awards on Wednesday, Sept, 11, the single received the award for best afrobeat.

Related: Tyla Says Her Grammy Win Is 'Such a Big Moment' for South Africa as She Releases Debut Album (Exclusive)

The Little Mermaid star, 24, and the “Industry Baby” hitmaker, 25, were onstage to present her with the award. However, the moment was overshadowed when social media users slammed Tyla for asking the stars if they could hold her moon man because it was too heavy for her.

<p>Michael Loccisano/Getty</p> Tyla (L) accepts the award for Best Afrobeats for 'Water' from Lil Nas X and Halle Bailey on stage during the 2024 MTV VMAs

Michael Loccisano/Getty

Tyla (L) accepts the award for Best Afrobeats for 'Water' from Lil Nas X and Halle Bailey on stage during the 2024 MTV VMAs

“Oh my gosh,” the "Truth or Dare" artist said during the viral moment as Lil Nas X handed her the moon man. “You guys know me and holding awards. Yo, I cannot — I’m not strong enough.”

“Please, please,” she added, holding her moon man out to them as Lil Nas X hesitantly stepped up to temporarily take the award so Tyla could give her acceptance speech. A smiling Bailey, however, did not budge.

Tyla later used social media to clarify the situation, saying that she never asked the movie star to hold her award.

“Y'all make everything weird…,” the Johannesburg native wrote in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that evening following the event. “I was not asking my girl Halle… We just girls, STFU I WON A VMAAAA.”

<p>MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty</p> Tyla performs on stage during the 2024 BET Awards

MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty

Tyla performs on stage during the 2024 BET Awards

In late June, Tyla took the stage at the 2024 BET Awards to perform one of her latest hits, "Jump," featuring Gunna and Skillibeng.

The sultry single highlights her South African roots and her performance on Culture's Biggest Night matched — complete with her starting in a cage filled with dancers painted as a giant tiger, a subtle nod to her dedicated fanbase, the Tygers.

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Stilt walkers also joined the set.

That evening, she took home wins for best new artist and best international act after receiving four nominations for the BET Awards.

<p>Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty</p> Tyla attends The 2024 Met Gala

Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty

Tyla attends The 2024 Met Gala

The young star also made her mark in the fashion world this year after making her Met Gala debut in May — with a manicure that was dripped with diamonds.

Related: Tyla, Singer of Viral Hit 'Water,' Says Her DMs Are 'Always Active': What to Know About the South African Star (Exclusive)

PEOPLE caught up with Tyla as she gave reporters a glimpse of her nail art at The Mark Hotel before she made her way to the exclusive event. The singer said she wasn’t concerned about whether or not her nails would make it hard for her to eat.

"It doesn’t matter," she quickly replied. "It just looks cute!

The diamond manicure perfectly complimented her Balmain gown made of sand that embodied an hourglass, inspired by "The Sands of Time."

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