Size 0 Obsession: Chiki Kuruka Condemns Body Shaming of Tyla After VMAs Appearance

Bien’s Manager, Chiki Kuruka has spoken out against the body shaming directed at South African singer Tyla following her appearance at the 2026 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

In a statement, Kuruka criticised the growing obsession with extreme thinness, saying society appears to be returning to the size zero beauty standards of the 1990s, which were linked to mental health concerns. “It’s so disappointing seeing us travel this road again, and this time even worse, masking it as health,” she said.

Kuruka noted that the thinness aesthetic is “yet again taking over the world,” expressing disbelief that the size zero obsession of the 90s had resurfaced despite its known impact on mental health.

“And right here is the end result of the thinness aesthetic that is yet again taking over the world,” she said. “I thought we were over the size 0 obsession in the 90’s, that we KNOW caused mental health issues.”

She added that it was disappointing to see the trend returning, noting that it is now being disguised as a conversation about health.