The Met Gala 2026 may be over, but apparently the internet is still clocked in and working overtime.
A viral clip from an afterparty in New York had fans convinced Rihanna completely ignored Tyla — and of course TikTok and X turned it into a full-blown “celebrity feud” within hours. Because apparently two people standing near each other without hugging for 10 seconds now equals drama.
But… was it actually shady? Or did the internet just do what it does best?
So… what happened between Rihanna and Tyla?
At the post-Met Gala party on May 4, Rihanna was seen standing around by herself while Tyla happened to be nearby.
The problem? Fans noticed there didn’t seem to be any interaction between them in the clip. No wave, no hug, no “omg hi queen” moment. And that was enough for social media to start screaming “snub.”
Some people were convinced Rihanna intentionally ignored the South African star, especially because Tyla has talked so many times about how much she admires her. But other fans were quick to point out the obvious: it was a packed celebrity event with cameras everywhere, people moving around constantly, and like… maybe Rihanna was just trying to have some peace and quiet?
Honestly, the internet loves turning 5-second clips into conspiracy theories.
Did Tyla respond to the Rihanna “snub” rumors?
Yep, and let me tell you, Tyla’s response made the whole situation sound way less dramatic than the internet was trying to make it.
In a TikTok posted after the Met Gala 2026, Tyla explained that she had actually met Rihanna before, and the interaction was completely fine.
“Everyone knows I love Rih, oh my gosh. So, I met her last year, and she was cool,” she said. “You know, I met her, but I think she was occupied, ’cause…I went up to her. I was like, ‘Oh, hey,’ and she was like, ‘My baby daddy’s calling me.’ And then she left, and I was like, ‘Oh, maybe she was busy. So I don’t know. I felt awkward. I don’t know how to say hi if I feel like someone’s busy.”
Tyla then explained why she didn’t approach Rihanna during the viral Met Gala moment this year.
“So this time…I was waiting for my car and she was right there…I don’t wanna go up, because I feel like she was busy..so if we do end up speaking ever, I want it to be like calm…”
Okay… That sounds way more like social anxiety and bad timing than celebrity beef. Tyla clearly still adores Rihanna — she just didn’t want to interrupt her while she seemed occupied.
Has Tyla talked about Rihanna before?
Oh, constantly.
Tyla has been very open about Rihanna being one of her biggest inspirations for years now. During an interview with Trevor Noah back in 2023, she talked about how inspiring Rihanna’s rise to global fame was for her.
In another interview with British Vogue, Tyla admitted she used to think artists had to be American to become worldwide superstars — until Rihanna proved otherwise.
She’s also spoken about growing up watching Rihanna on TV and wanting to be just like her. Which makes this whole “beef” narrative even less believable.
What has Tyla said about the Rihanna comparisons?
Tyla has also made it clear that while she loves Rihanna, she doesn’t necessarily want to be treated as “the next Rihanna.” In a past interview with Cosmopolitan, she explained that comparisons are flattering, but she still wants people to recognize her as her own artist.
“Rihanna is Rihanna… I’m Tyla,” she basically said. Fair.
She even shouted out Rihanna again while accepting the Billboard Women in Music 2025 Global Impact Award, naming both Rihanna and Aaliyah as huge influences on her music and style.
So… is there actually beef? And what was wrong with Rihanna?
At this point, it really doesn’t look like there’s any real drama between them.
If anything, Rihanna just seemed completely over it by the end of the night. Fans were already pointing out that she looked irritated throughout the entire evening, especially after another viral clip started circulating that appeared to show her and A$AP Rocky having a tense conversation outside the event.
And according to TMZ, sources close to the situation said people are reading way too much into the moment.
“It was a long day and they were running on empty,” one source told the outlet, which also claimed that “they’re happy, and people are simply overanalyzing a tired moment.”
Which honestly makes sense. The Met Gala is basically an Olympic sport for celebrities at this point — hours of glam, interviews, cameras, crowds, afterparties, and zero personal space. Rihanna looking exhausted or distracted doesn’t automatically mean she secretly hates Tyla.
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