Pop star Tyla delivered a captivating performance at the 2024 Cannes Lions Festival after an unexpected hospital visit threatened to derail her set.
“I went to the hospital, I came back,” the 22-year-old artist announced to a packed crowd at Spotify Beach along the famous Croisette on Tuesday night. “A lot happened, but I’m here and I’m going to have fun with you guys. The energy is amazing.”
Dressed in a strappy, skin-baring bodysuit and mini skirt, Tyla took to Instagram Stories to explain her sudden medical emergency. “Got nail glue in my eye, rushed to the hospital to get it removed,” she shared, adding that she also faced some sound issues. Despite these setbacks, Tyla remained upbeat about her performance, declaring, “But still serveddddd. I’m backkkkkkkkkk n betta.”
The South African singer, who shot to fame last year with her Grammy-winning single “Water,” was thrilled to recognize familiar faces in the audience, which was filled with media, marketing, and advertising professionals attending the weeklong festival.
“We’re going to have a party tonight, OK?” Tyla proclaimed to the crowd before launching into a setlist featuring songs from her debut album. Accompanied by six dancers, she matched their intense choreography move for move, despite admitting she hadn’t been on stage for a while.
In March, Tyla had to cancel her first-ever headlining tour due to an injury. “For the past year I’ve been silently suffering with an injury that has tragically worsened,” she revealed on social media. “I’ve seen doctors and specialists with high hopes, but the pain has only become more agonizing as has the severity of the situation.”
As her Spotify Beach performance neared its end, Tyla expressed her gratitude to the audience for their patience. “You guys are amazing, thank you so much for waiting!” she said, blowing kisses before leaving the stage. “I love you guys forever and ever and ever and ever.”
Tyla’s performance was the grand finale of the evening, which also featured sets from “Beautiful Things” hitmaker Benson Boone and “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” singer Shaboozey. Despite the challenges, Tyla’s resilience and showmanship shone brightly, marking a triumphant return to the stage.
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