South African singer-songwriter Tyla Laura Seethal — known professionally as Tyla — has the music industry in the palm of her hand. Nominated for her track “Water” alongside the likes of ASAKE, Olamide, and Burna Boy, the star took home the first ever Grammy for Best African Music Performance — one of three new categories added to the lineup this year. While accepting the award, Tyla emphasised the importance of its existence, thanking the Recording Academy for the inclusion and giving the audience goosebumps.

We got an inside look into Tyla’s pre-Grammy glam, including the behind-the-scenes process of her stunning Versace gown, and had the chance to hear from the Grammy winner herself.

Hey Tyla, congratulations on your award! How are you feeling?
Thank you so much I am feeling very overwhelmed with love and support. I never thought I would win this award so early in my career so you can imagine how it hasn’t all sunk in yet, but I am so happy and excited for the future.

Where were you when you found out you were nominated and what did you do to celebrate?
I was in New York, and I remember watching the live nominations announcement calling my family as soon as the news hit. We were all so excited and shocked! My team and I celebrated by going out to dinner that night.

This is the first year that the category Best African Music Performance is being recognized. How does it feel to be part of such a monumental moment?
It means so much to me. Everybody knows how much I love Africa and South Africa, specifically our culture and music. Everything that we have back home, I am always pushing it no matter where I am. I feel like this award category has been a long time coming. We absolutely needed this to happen years ago, but it’s finally here now and it’s going to open so many more doors and give us so many more opportunities to share more moments like this with the world.

Can you tell us about your look for the night? How did you work with Versace to come up with the look?
I knew that I wanted something fresh and effortless with an islandy feel. I just wanted something to encompass the vibe and era that I am in right now, so working with Versace was the perfect fit. We were able to come together on something so beautiful for my special day with the perfect fit and I am so happy with how it turned out. It was exactly how I envisioned.

Aside from the awards themselves, what part of the evening was your favourite?
My favourite part was the drive home at end of the night. After the awards show and the after parties, my team and I drove back home and during the ride we listened to “Water”, “Truth or Dare” and more of my music. We were all singing along and screaming the lyrics while laughing. We were all just so happy! The energy in the car was unmatched, and I’ve never felt anything like that before. It was a highlight of the evening.