South African superstar Tyla Laura Seethal, widely known simply as Tyla, is adding another groundbreaking achievement to her already dazzling résumé: she’s officially set to become the first African to host the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards.
The 23-year-old global sensation will take center stage at the 2025 edition of the iconic slime-filled show on Saturday, June 21, 2025, marking a proud and powerful milestone for African representation in mainstream global entertainment.
“I’m Really About to Host the Kids’ Choice Awards”
Tyla didn’t hold back her excitement. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), she confessed to feeling both stunned and thrilled:
“I’m really about to host the Kids’ Choice Awards.”
Her post quickly racked up thousands of likes and retweets, as fans from across the world—especially from the African continent—celebrated the historic moment.
But hosting duties aren’t the only spotlight she’ll step into that night. Tyla is also nominated in two major categories:
• Favorite Global Music Star, and
• Favorite Music Collaboration for her hit “Show Me Lov” alongside WizTheMc and bees & honey.
From TikTok Sensation to Global Icon
Tyla’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric. She first captured international attention in 2023 with her viral single “Water”, which took over TikTok thanks to a slick Bacardi-inspired dance challenge choreographed by Lee-ché. The track eventually shot into the Billboard Top 10, making her the highest-charting African female solo artist at the time.
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Fast-forward to 2024, she dropped her self-titled debut album Tyla, which debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard 200. It earned her the Grammy for Best African Music Performance, an award that had never been presented before. Later in the year, she released a deluxe edition titled Tyla+, although she was forced to cancel her international tour due to injury.
Dominating Awards & Breaking Records
Awards season has been kind to Tyla. At the 2024 MTV Europe Music Awards, she broke yet another record by becoming the first African artist to win three trophies in one night—Best Afrobeats, Best African Act, and Best R&B. And just earlier this year, she was crowned World Artist of the Year at the 2025 iHeartRadio Music Awards.
She also earned double nominations at the 2025 American Music Awards, rubbing shoulders with African music giants like Rema, Asake, Tems, and Wizkid for Favorite Afrobeats Artist, while also competing with SZA, Kehlani, and Summer Walker for Favorite Female R&B Artist.
Beyond Music: From Smurfs to Nike
Tyla’s talents don’t stop at the mic. She’s also part of the official soundtrack for the upcoming Smurfs animated movie, which drops on July 18, 2025, featuring none other than Rihanna as Smurfette. Add to that her deal with Nikeand a new brand ambassadorship with Pandora, and it’s clear she’s not just making hits—she’s building a legacy.
Tyla’s hosting gig at the Kids’ Choice Awards isn’t just another notch in her belt—it’s a cultural moment. For the first time, millions of kids around the world will see an African star lead one of television’s most fun and family-friendly nights.
In a world still catching up to what African artists have long been capable of, Tyla’s voice—soft yet powerful—is cutting through, loud and clear. And if her recent momentum is any indication, the best is yet to come.
