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In a moment described by many as a full circle journey, South African music sensation Tyla took to the main stage at the Global Citizen Festival 2025 in New York’s Central Park, just seven years after attending the event in Johannesburg. Her performance drew widespread acclaim from a crowd of more than 60,000 and a global digital audience, marking a significant milestone in her rising international career.
Back in 2018, Tyla secured a ticket to attend the festival at FNB Stadium in South Africa by filling out a Global Citizen survey, a platform that rewards civic action with access to live events. This year, she stood in the spotlight alongside global artists including Shakira, Cardi B, Rema, and Ayra Starr, delivering a set that sparked emotional and energetic responses online.
On Instagram, fans flooded the comment sections with praise. One user wrote, “OMG Tyla, your performance on the Global Citizen stage left me absolutely speechless. It was incredible, breathtaking, and truly magnificent. I didn’t even have the words to describe how much it moved me. Bravo, truly. I love you so so much.”
Another added, “I swear Tyla’s discography is hits ONLY,” while others expressed how the performance stood out among the night’s highlights, calling it “one of my favourite moments.”
Tyla’s actions during the performance also garnered attention, particularly when she paused mid-performance after noticing a possible safety concern in the audience. The move was widely shared and praised across platforms as a demonstration of empathy and awareness. One fan commented, “We loveeeeee Tyla, such a pure soul! When she thought someone needed help, she paused her own show! A true humanitarian! Thank you for having me!! Can’t wait for next year.”
Echoing this sentiment, another fan wrote, “She is amazing, the way she stopped when she thought someone needed help… she is the spirit of what Global Citizen means.”
On X (formerly Twitter), the response was equally enthusiastic. One user posted Tyla’s performance and captioned it, “mr media is honestly one of tyla’s best songs ever” and other users flooded the post with replies where one wrote, “Obsessed with these new dance moves,” while another stated, “Love the way she dances.” Additional comments included, “I’m in love with this performance,” and “Mr Media is iconic, every beat, every lyric, every vibe. Tyla absolutely killed it. Peak queen energy.”
The phrase “full circle moment” appeared frequently across fan posts, with one user summing up the atmosphere: “Full circle moment. Now Tyla’s the one owning the stage. Africa is ready, and we can’t wait to see you at Move Afrika.” The statement alluded to her future engagements, including the anticipated Move Afrika tour, which highlights African talent on a global scale.
Tyla’s performance is being noted not just for its artistic quality but for what it represents, a journey from fan to festival headliner. Her ascent reflects both the evolving global reach of African artists and the impact of platforms like Global Citizen in connecting civic engagement with cultural experiences.
As reactions continue to circulate, the performance stands as a landmark moment in Tyla’s career and an example of how global stages are increasingly spotlighting diverse voices and stories. For many fans, her presence at the 2025 festival was not only a celebration of talent but a symbol of inspiration and representation.
