Ayra Starr Speaks on Loneliness and Culture Shock After Move to New York
Nigerian Afrobeats star Ayra Starr has shared a personal reflection on her early experiences living in New York, weeks after relocating from Lagos following a management deal with Roc Nation.
In a recent essay published on her Substack, the singer offered a candid look at the emotional and physical challenges of settling into the US city. She described grappling with isolation, harsh weather conditions and moments of self-doubt as she adjusts to her new environment.
Ayra Starr portrayed her New York apartment as largely unfurnished and likened the city’s winter conditions to extreme cold, saying the climate has been difficult to adapt to. She admitted that there are times when she questions her decision to move, noting that the experience has been far from glamorous.
The singer also reflected on what she described as a sense of missing out, contrasting her current reality with the festive “Detty December” period she would typically spend in Nigeria. According to her, the move has forced her into a period of deep self-reflection, shaped by loneliness and distance from familiar surroundings.
Despite the challenges, Ayra Starr suggested that the transition represents a bold step in her personal and professional journey. She described herself as entering a phase where she feels less concerned about external validation and more focused on understanding herself.
The post marks one of the most open accounts the singer has shared about life abroad, highlighting the emotional cost that can accompany major career moves, even at the height of global success.
