The “Water” singer jumped into the internet discourse surrounding her stage outfit

Tyla, Britney Spears. Photo: 

Tyla is shutting down Britney Spears comparisons.

For her Friday, April 18, performance at Coachella, the singer took the Indio, Calif., stage in an ensemble that quickly drew comparisons to Spears’ iconic outfit from the 2001 MTV VMAs.

Tyla, 23, appeared in a green bra, micro denim shorts and a body chain, which fans thought looked similar to the pop icon’s similar green bra and blue sequin micro shorts that she wore to perform her hit “I’m a Slave 4 U” over two decades earlier. At the 2001 award show, Spears famously performed with a live python around her shoulders.

In response to a since-deleted post on X asserting that Tyla was inspired by Spears, the South African singer took the opportunity to clarify her intentions.

“Love her but I just thought the outfit was fly … no inspo,” the “Water” singer wrote in a reply.

Another user jumped in to add, “I personally think she is a copycat and too full of herself.”

Tyla then fired back with, “Personally I think you should stfu.”

Tyla has certainly taken inspiration from the early 2000s in the past. During weekend one of Coachella 2025, the singer performed in an itty-bitty vintage Dolce & Gabbana look from 2000 and an array of Pandora jewelry, including hoop earrings decked out in her favorite shark tooth charm (the star was named the brand’s new ambassador before her performance).

“It was just really fun to wear that outfit,” said Tyla of her stage look while speaking with PEOPLE after her sexy debut.

Tyla’s exchange with a fan on X.tyllaaaaaaa/X

She also sported a blue version of Aaliyah’s Roberto Cavalli dress that the “Back & Forth” singer famously wore to the 2000 MTV VMAs at the 2024 MTV European Music Awards. Tyla accessorized the iconic look with a silver choker and strappy black heels that went up to her knees.

Tyla at the MTV Europe Music Awards 2024.Corbis/Corbis via Getty

As a Pandora ambassador, Tyla appeared in her first of many campaigns for the global jewelry brand.

“Pandora Styled by Tyla” features a curation of designs that reflect Tyla’s “journey, passions and inspirations,” a press release states.

The entire collection is centered on Pandora’s widely popular charms, including its Cherry Blossom, which nods to Tyla’s music video for “Water,” and the Shark Tooth Mini, a symbol of the South African artist’s heritage and music.

Tyla shared how the partnership is both “exciting” and sentimental.

“[Pandora] reminds me so much of home because my mom always made jewelry, and the birthstone charms remind me of the beads I used to have laying around in my house growing up. Whenever our mother wanted us not to bother her, she’d give us a big container of beads and my sisters and I would make friendship bracelets all day.”

“Now,” she added, “my Tygers can have matching friendship bracelets with me.”