South African sensation Tyla has officially joined Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year list, a recognition that celebrates women who are transforming culture, redefining creativity, and leading with courage across the globe.
Every year, Glamour honours remarkable women making waves in industries spanning entertainment, activism, business, politics, and science. The 2025 Women of the Year Awards, set for Thursday, October 30 at 180 The Strand in London, will once again gather icons, artists, and innovators to celebrate sisterhood and solidarity.
Past honorees have included Simone Ashley, who boldly addressed everyday sexism in her acceptance speech, Halle Bailey, who spoke on empowering young women, and Pamela Anderson, who championed authenticity in a world obsessed with perfection. This year, Tyla joins that powerful lineup — a fitting recognition for an artist who’s redefining what it means to be young, African, and unstoppable.
From Johannesburg to the World
At just 23 years old, Tyla has become one of the most exciting figures in global music. Her sound — a smooth, infectious blend of pop, amapiano, gqom, and Bacardi — captures both the energy of Johannesburg and the pulse of international dance floors.
Her 2024 self-titled debut album and Grammy-winning hit “Water” made her a worldwide sensation, earning her the first-ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance. Then, in July 2025, she followed up with her WWP (We Wanna Party) EP, a four-track project that broke her own streaming records, reaching nearly 1.3 million streams in just one day.
The Glamour Feature: A Celebration of Style and Power
For her Glamour photoshoot, Tyla delivered pure fashion excellence. She dazzled in a Christopher John Rogers green corseted ensemble and a Saint Laurent golden-yellow gown for the cover. Other looks included a sleek Stella McCartney black dress, a dreamy Di Piesta wine gown, a Vettese white co-ord, and a romantic Blumarine floral piece — each outfit showcasing her effortless fusion of confidence and elegance.
“Ever Since I Could Walk, I Loved to Perform”
In her Glamour interview, Tyla opened up about her creative journey and childhood in South Africa.
“Ever since I could walk, I loved to dance, I loved to perform,” she shared from New York over Zoom. She credits her aunt, a dancer, with teaching her to belly dance — a skill she would later mix with her love for music and performance. “I don’t think I’m the best dancer. It doesn’t always look like the reference, but it’ll always be a Tyla version.”
She recalls her upbringing as one full of energy, creativity, and resilience: “I feel like I’ve lived a thousand lives. Every day we were out in the streets, selling clothes, hustling, finding ways to make money for school. That life built me.”
Rooted in South Africa, Resonating With the World
Tyla proudly carries her South African heritage into everything she does. She credits artists like DJ Uncle Waffles for inspiring her to “push the culture” and believes that the global rise of South African sounds like amapiano is rooted in freedom and self-expression.
“Growing up in South Africa, music is spiritual for us,” she explains. “There was a time when we weren’t free to express ourselves — now, we celebrate that freedom through sound.”
Her WWP EP embodies that sense of liberation. “If my first album represents water,” she says, “then this project is definitely fire. I just wanted to play around, to experiment.”
On Identity, Culture, and Confidence
As her fame grows, Tyla has also found herself navigating conversations about identity, especially around what it means to be “coloured” in South Africa versus abroad.
“I’ve always related to Black American artists like Aaliyah,” she reflects. “At first, I was confused by how identity is viewed differently outside South Africa. But now, I see the beauty in connecting with people who want to learn about where I’m from.”
Her openness and authenticity allow her to bridge cultural gaps while remaining grounded in who she is.
A Gen-Z Fashion and Beauty Icon
Beyond her music, Tyla has become a Gen-Z style muse. Her love for Y2K-inspired outfits, shimmering two-pieces, and sleek silhouettes has made her a global fashion favorite. She views beauty as a form of self-expression:
“I feel most like myself when I’m in a protective style or rocking my natural hair,” she says. “When I want to play and feel like a character, that’s when I pull out the lace front.”
And of course, her signature brow slit is here to stay. “If I don’t have a slit in my eyebrow, something’s wrong,” she laughs. “Don’t try this at home though—I’m a professional.”
A Full-Circle Moment
Tyla’s inclusion in Glamour’s Women of the Year feels like a full-circle moment — a celebration of talent, authenticity, and cultural pride. From Johannesburg’s buzzing streets to London’s red carpets, she continues to prove that staying true to yourself is the ultimate power move.
As Glamour honours the women shaping culture in 2025, Tyla stands tall — not just as a star, but as a symbol of a generation that’s rewriting what global success looks and sounds like.
