Tyla is giving fans a glimpse into her long-awaited encounter with Rihanna at the 2026 Met Gala, and it wasn’t exactly the moment some might have expected.
Full story below…
Taking to TikTok, the rising star shared that finally meeting her idol felt surreal, but brief. According to Tyla, Rihanna was warm and “cool,” but clearly occupied throughout the night.
The singer explained that the fashion and music icon had a lot going on behind the scenes, even mentioning that A$AP Rocky was calling for her during the moment.
Take a look:
Tyla on meeting Rihanna at the Met Gala:
“She was cool…I think she was occupied. I went up to her and was like, ‘Oh, hey, you know…’ and she was like, ‘Hey, um – my baby daddy is calling me,’ and then she left.” pic.twitter.com/VuF8MjuPG3
— Pop Crave (@PopCrave) May 6, 2026
For years, Tyla has been compared to Rihanna and has openly credited her as a major inspiration behind her sound and style.
So naturally, the meeting carried weight, but Tyla kept it real about the experience, describing it as a quick one simply because Rihanna was so busy.
In another clip circulating online, Tyla, Rihanna, and A$AP Rocky are seen backstage, though there’s little visible interaction between them.
Watch below…
What’s Rihanna’s beef with Tyla??? pic.twitter.com/fgCYFW76yx
— S I H L E T H E P L U G (@RealSihleIV) May 6, 2026
Tyla made it clear she understands the demands of a night like the Met Gala and fully respects Rihanna’s space.
The moment has folk talking and we’re keen to hear..:
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Rih out here lookin’ like she workin’ janitor at the general hospital, double chin poppin’ off like she finally let that age catch up I’m dead, for real!
Rocky ain’t just surviving he’s thriving, ‘cause even a king don’t fold under a queen who’s all venom and attitude. Sometimes you gotta remind her…I’m the man, not your punching bag just bcoz you have more than a dozen #1 hits.
Nick Canon & Lemonade pt II are coming….
😆
She should ve just stayed home .. it is mess after mess, the outfit, puffy face like a bulldog… wasnt even worth it 🥴
Lol this can’t be denied. She needs to start a diet and exercise Pronto.
Some women in the industry be straight-up nasty. Rihanna and Nicki? Both actin’ like bitter-as s old h@gs, mad jealous and salty at the new generation.
Them bit ches stuck in the past, tryin’ to hold back the real queens. Back in the day, it was JLo and Mariah runnin’ s*** true legends, not these bitter clowns….
Are you surprised? ASAP Rocky literally refers to her as “my bi iitch”
Tyla asked for water but got ice LOL!
Riri too busy fighting her cad, for flirting in her face, to acknowledge her replacement trynabe. Plus, word is, that s-hooting was to remind her she’s a s-lave to a contract and MUST record an album EVEN IF she doesn’t feel like it IF she wants to live.
By 2030, Rihanna gonna be out here lookin’ like Aretha Franklin’s long-lost twin, straight up Wendy’s cashier vibes!!!!
You know what? I thought she reminded me of Aretha in that pic. Next thing you know, you come here and write it. Het outta my head! 🤣
Damn beyhive da navy having a TERRIBLE WEEK 😆
As he should.. a man doesn’t change from his nature regardless of how rich a woman is.. ASAP needs to get back into the studio.. hip hop bubbas are not made for this satanic circus..
i kinda love this for her considering she’s tried to steal riri’s swag lmao.
she should have kept this brush-off to herself.
Oh it wasn’t pointless and she damn sure wasn’t just waking up. Her goal was to paint Rihanna as the mean superstar who won’t meet her and herself as the innocent babe in the woods. Told you all Tyla was no fan of Rihanna, all bs. Tyla wants to BE Rihanna, that’s not a fan, that’s a foe. You all think it’s a coincidence she uses both of her stylists? Rihanna is well aware of what she’s doing and of why she wants to meet her so badly.
Xtina tried that with Mariah – failed
Miley came for Mariah – failed
Demi tried Mariah – failed
Tyla is lucky Riri didn’t hit her in the face with a clutch, like that meme.
Thing is all Ariana did was say how much she admired Mariah growing up. Tyla was saying in interviews that she really believes that she will be bigger than Rihanna.
Throughout the years numerous singers have come out to pay accolades to their childhood idols, but not one has ever said they think they will be bigger than them. Not even Beyonce with Tina Turner. Tyla’s ego is through the roof.
Rihanna fücks with Tems and Ayra Starr.
Well said and THIS is what im saying too. Beyonce and Destinys child were among Rihanna and Ciaras greatest inspirations but you never heard either say they wanted to be bigger than her or any of the other girls. Tyla is talented and has potential but she comes off a bit slow and disillusioned by reality. Like girl, you are a new artist! Slow your roll and eat some humble pie. She needs better media training asap
She doesn’t like Tyla. I can feel it. I can see it. She’s giving Tyla the Rita Ora treatment lol. And the people who know the lore of that…know!
Ugly soul even cant hide anyore like he has done it b4… Rih is so insecured; too bad money can’t buy self esteem or good husband.
It’s already failing.
Tyla is 6 years in the industry and the only hit she has to her name is that Water mess.
Contrast that with Rihanna. When she was 6 years in? She had multiple hits, number 1’s top 5’s. And she was already a superstar.
Get a record to stand on before you whine about being acknowledged.
Her single with Zara is trash so she said she is gonna promo this album by any means necessary especially since all her others songs have performed badly in the United States
For reference, Tyla had hired several of Rihanna’s producers, choreographers, stylists, etc and still cannot get organic traction outside of paid PR, paid awards, botted/fake streams, and paid influencers to review her music
This second album is do or die for her since her label is trying to justify keeping her signed at this point
Many people she has hired that used to work with Rihanna. Rihanna is probably creeped out. Destiny swap has failed
Rihanna’s DEBUT single went #1 on the BB100 in an era where STRICTLY physical sales and radio AirPlay counted …
Rihanna’s DEBUT album sold 3x as many copies in an era where people had to go to the store to buy music …
Tyla has released a whopping 27 singles and has ZERO BB100 #1s in an era where digital sales and streaming numbers are counted …
She’s a brittle-boned Indian flop!
Damnnnnnn
Beyhive & died navy having a TERRIBLE WEEK and called PORK CHOPS!!!!
And I know exactly the pattern you guys… only barbz can see this play from
a mile away and what going on behind the scenes mmmm… 🙂
Just watched the vid. THAT’S Tyla?
Poor generation: IG got em thinking
they can approach their idols & kiki
like old pals. RIri said kno yer pleys!
Tyla to rihanna is exactly what cardi is to nicki… i won’t be elaborating any further.
Cardi is bigger than Nicki now. I’d say Latto if anyone compares to this situation…
Tyla fed right into that bad press on Rihanna lol messy btch