Ayra Starr has reflected on her landmark NFL London halftime performance, describing the experience as so extraordinary that she felt like a different person on stage.
The 24-year-old Nigerian singer became the first African artist to headline an NFL International Games halftime show on Sunday, 11 October 2026, when she performed during the Philadelphia Eagles' clash with the Jacksonville Jaguars at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
But while the performance marked another milestone in her rapidly growing career, it was her candid reaction afterwards that offered a glimpse into what the moment meant to her.
Ayra Starr Makes Surprising Admission After NFL Performance
Reflecting on her performance, Starr expressed excitement and gratitude over the experience.
'It was crazy! It was amazing! I feel like that was another person on stage. It was amazing, I'm so grateful. Ate that, yummy!' she said. Her reaction offered a glimpse into the excitement surrounding the performance, which marked a significant moment in her international career.
For Starr, the appearance represented more than another concert. It placed Afrobeats before an international sporting audience and brought her music to one of London's major football venues.
Ayra Starr Performs 'Rush' and 'Heaven Baby' at NFL London Show
Starr brought her Afrobeats sound to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, performing songs including 'Heaven Baby', 'Rush' and 'Hot Body'. The appearance also provided an international platform for 'Heaven Baby', her collaboration with Zayn Malik. Her performance formed part of the NFL's international entertainment programme, which brings music and sport together for audiences outside the United States.
The halftime appearance was one of seven musical performances planned across the NFL's 2026 International Games, spanning seven countries and four continents, part of NFL's expanding international schedule.
Ayra Starr Opens Up About Representing African Music on Global Stage
Ahead of the performance, Starr spoke about the responsibility artists carry when representing their culture before international audiences. 'At the end of the day, as artists, we speak for the culture and we speak for the people that listen to us,' she said. Her remarks reflected the wider significance of bringing African music to an international sporting event.
Tim Tubito, the league's senior director of global game presentation, music and entertainment, described her as a generational talent with a strong connection to London's music audience. According to the NFL's official announcement, Starr had accumulated more than seven billion global streams and one billion YouTube views since her 2021 debut.
What's Next for Ayra Starr After Her NFL Breakthrough?
The London performance adds another international appearance to Starr's growing career.
Her 2022 single 'Rush' helped introduce her music to audiences beyond Nigeria, while her subsequent releases have continued to build her international profile. Her NFL appearance also reflected the growing visibility of Afrobeats at major global entertainment events.
Yet it was Starr's reaction afterwards that captured the personal significance of the occasion. Describing the performance as though another person had been on stage, she made clear how remarkable the experience felt. For Starr, however, the moment appeared to be as personal as it was historic. After performing before thousands of spectators in London, her spontaneous admission that she felt like another person on stage revealed just how extraordinary the experience had been.
