Tyla stops the show for a fan and shuts down critics with 'Not Sorry' at Global Citizen Festival

South African star Tyla had a powerful moment of humanity during her set at the 2025 Global Citizen Festival in New York. 

While performing her Grammy-winning hit “Water”, she stopped mid-song after noticing a fan who had fainted in the crowd.

The 23-year-old asked production to pause as she called for staff to assist an audience member. 

The music came to a halt, and silence filled Central Park’s Great Lawn as the fan received attention. Tyla kept her focus on the situation, later checking in with concertgoers who were nearby to make sure everything was under control.

When they signalled that all was well, she smiled warmly before asking the crowd whether she should continue where she left off or restart the song. The question led to the audience erupting in excitement, choosing the restart option.

The “popiano” star showed care for her fans in the middle of what was already a vibrant night of performances. 

Later in the night, Tyla brought a different kind of energy when she performed “Mr Media”, a song where she directly responds to her critics.

The song is one of her sassiest, with lyrics that carry a sharp “none of your concern” message, shutting down outside noise. 

At one point, she sings: “Remember when I used to fight with words? Really, I should be worse, I should be meaner… What I? None of your concern.”

It’s essentially a mic drop with Tyla reminding everyone that she can clap back, but often chooses not to.

That context made it all the more fitting when, mid-performance, she told the Global Citizen audience she is “not sorry”. 

The statement comes after Nigerian star Tiwa Savage weighed in on Tyla’s ongoing “coloured” identity controversy during an interview on "The Breakfast Club", causing online outrage.

Savage said she understood why the term is offensive in America, but also expressed sympathy for Tyla.

“I would get why that would be such a huge thing here, because of the history behind that name,” she said. “I think I felt for her a little bit because she is young and I do not think she means to come across like that.” 

Savage went further by apologising on Tyla’s behalf, saying, “So if that was not communicated, I would like to say on behalf of her, we apologise. We did not mean it, forgive us. I do not think it came from a bad place.”

Shakira and Cardi B were among the stars who lit up the 2025 Global Citizen festival, joined by Ayra Starr and Mariah the Scientist.

This year’s festival, which took place on September 27, was hosted once again by Hugh Jackman, placing a strong emphasis on African voices and global issues. 

The event is part of the Global Citizen movement, which blends music and activism to fight poverty, inequality, and climate change. 

One of the key initiatives this year focused on bringing energy access to one million people across Africa.