Nigerian singer Ayra Starr’s recent interaction with her LGBTQ fans during a concert in Brazil has ignited a controversy online. At the C6 Festival in São Paulo, LGBTQ fans displayed placards with messages like “We Are Your Sabigays” and “We [heart emoji] You Ayra,” referring to themselves as “Sabigays” in homage to Ayra Starr’s nickname, “Sabi Girl.”
After the event, a fan with the handle @miketrindade shared photos of meeting Ayra Starr, which quickly went viral. While some fans celebrated the interaction, others expressed mixed feelings.
One user, @GeorgeDanso97, highlighted the significance of LGBTQ support for musicians, especially in Western markets, emphasizing its impact on an artist’s career. Similarly, @AGRF9 noted that LGBTQ fans often contribute significantly to long-lasting and successful careers, citing examples like Madonna, Beyoncé, and Nicki Minaj.
Conversely, some users, like @harrisonJNIOR and @NGeeNius, expressed skepticism about the importance of LGBTQ support for Ayra Starr’s career, suggesting that she doesn’t need to capitalize on it and could potentially lose support from Nigerians.
Overall, the reaction reflects a broader discussion about the role of LGBTQ fans in the music industry and the potential impact of their support on an artist’s career trajectory.