Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has shared a raw and vulnerable reflection on her life in New York, weeks after relocating from Lagos following a management deal with Roc Nation.

In a recent Substack post titled “I’m not scared, I promise,” the singer opened up about the loneliness and cold that have accompanied her move to the iconic city. She described her apartment as “almost-empty,” with New York itself feeling like “a walk-in freezer.”

Struggling with Regret and Loneliness

Starr admitted that sometimes she struggles with regret over her decision to relocate. She described the cold weather in New York as oppressive, saying, “It’s so cold it feels like the city is actively trying to unalive my motivation. It’s the kind of cold that makes you realize happiness was just a summer hallucination.”

She went on to express that a sarcastic voice in her mind often whispers, “Who sent you work?” reflecting her inner struggle with the challenges she’s facing in her new environment.

Missing Detty December

The ‘Rush’ crooner mentioned that while many of her fellow Nigerians are enjoying the festive Detty December back home, she is stuck in the cold and solitude of New York, dealing with the aftermath of her “rebellious risk” in choosing to move.

Despite the challenges, Ayra Starr stated that she’s now in her “nobody gets me era,” indicating that she’s embracing a mindset where she no longer feels the need to prove herself to anyone.

A New Chapter

Though this transition has been difficult for the Afrobeats sensation, her honesty and vulnerability have endeared her even more to fans, offering a glimpse into the personal sacrifices and realities behind her rise to international stardom. As she navigates this new chapter of her career, Starr’s openness about her experiences is a reminder that even stars face struggles and uncertainty in their pursuit of success.

In the meantime, fans of Ayra Starr are no doubt eagerly awaiting the next phase of her journey, hoping for new music and the inevitable growth that comes with embracing both the ups and downs of life in the spotlight.