South African Sensation Tyla Crowned a Global “Woman of the Year” by Glamour
South African superstar Tyla has been named one of Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year 2025, a prestigious honor celebrating women who are redefining culture, creativity, and courage across the globe. This recognition places Tyla among an elite group of changemakers whose work and voices have shaped the world over the past year.
Every year, Glamour’s Women of the Year Awards spotlight extraordinary women from diverse fields, entertainment, activism, science, business, and politics, whose influence transcends boundaries. The 2025 ceremony, scheduled for Thursday, October 30th, will take place at 180 The Strand in London, bringing together some of the world’s most powerful and inspiring figures in celebration of sisterhood and solidarity.
Over the years, the Women of the Year stage has seen unforgettable moments. In past editions, Bridgerton star Simone Ashley used her acceptance speech to call out everyday sexism, The Little Mermaid’s Halle Bailey passionately encouraged young women to believe in themselves, and Pamela Anderson reminded the world of the value of authenticity in an image-driven age. Now, it is Tyla’s turn to take her place among these icons, not only as an artist but as a symbol of confidence, creativity, and cultural pride.
Glamour’s 2025 theme emphasises sisterhood, the idea that achievement thrives in networks of support and visibility across borders and generations. As the magazine put it: “Tyla … brings her musical talent to the world stage, showing that sisterhood has no borders.” In this sense, Tyla’s inclusion symbolizes more than individual success, it signals how African artists can shape global culture, influence style, and transcend the boundaries that once limited them.
Tyla’s ascent has been rapid but rooted. In her Glamour feature she reflects on childhood-dance moves taught by her aunt, and how improvisation in the streets of South Africa taught her resilience and creativity. Her identity has also featured prominently in commentary: In the interview, she discusses how her classification as “coloured” in South Africa takes on different cultural meaning abroad, particularly in the U.S. The way she navigates global fame while staying attached to her roots is part of what makes her story resonant.
What Comes Next?
As a Woman of the Year honoree, Tyla enters a new phase of her career. The recognition underscores her role not merely as a pop star, but as someone shaping culture. For fans and industry watchers, this raises several questions: How will she follow up her EP? Will her next album reflect the same bold fusion of sound and identity? How will she leverage her growing platform for cross-continental collaborations and cultural impact?
One thing is clear, Tyla seems ready. She acknowledges the freedom she’s now sampling: “If the element that represents my first album is water, then the EP is definitely fire.” With momentum, recognition and a sharpened artistic vision, Tyla’s journey is more than a rise—it’s a statement that talent from Johannesburg can resonate globally, authentically.
Why This Matters
In the current music and cultural climate, African artists are no longer niche—they are central. Tyla’s Grammy, her red-carpet moments, her fashion influence and now this global honour all reinforce that trajectory. Her recognition by Glamour adds to a growing list of milestones where African creatives are acknowledged on world stages, not just as guests but as leaders. For young women especially across Africa and the diaspora, her story offers proof: origin doesn’t limit destination.
Her story also bridges sectors, music, fashion, identity, global media and shows how an artist today must embody more than just recordings. The personal becomes political; the style becomes statement; the music becomes movement.
Tyla’s crowning as one of Glamour’s Women of the Year is not just a reward for past achievements, but a bold forecast of what’s to come. She stands at the intersection of sound and style, Africa and the world, self-expression and global impact. For anyone watching the evolution of pop culture, her name is one to remember.
