Nigerian artist Jaywon has revealed that he is no longer on friendly terms with fellow musician Ayra Starr, following an incident involving a viral photo that was widely circulated on social media. The photo, which shows Ayra Starr seemingly holding Jaywon’s hand while preventing him from putting his arm around her waist, became a source of ridicule, with online trolls using it to tease the veteran musician.
In a recent interview with *News Central*, Jaywon expressed his frustration, stating that the situation could have been handled differently if Ayra Starr and her team had addressed the issue when it first surfaced. “The Ayra Starr situation is unfortunate. We are not cool. People don’t get it. What would make me, Jaywon, want to take a picture with Ayra Starr?” Jaywon remarked, indicating that the photo was meant to be a gesture of support for her work as an artist, not an indication of any personal attachment.
Despite the negative attention surrounding the photo, Jaywon clarified that his intentions were purely professional and celebratory. “Of course, she’s an amazing artist who has been making us [Nigerians] proud. So, it’s just love. I only wanted to support and celebrate her for the good work she’s doing,” he explained. According to Jaywon, his decision to take the photo with Ayra Starr was based on admiration for her achievements in the music industry, and he wanted to show solidarity with the younger artist.
Jaywon also mentioned that he too receives support from fellow artists and fans, and as a result, he believes in giving back the same support to others. “People also support and celebrate me, too. So when I see a young artist doing good, I want to be part of that celebration,” he said, suggesting that mutual respect and support are essential in the music industry. However, the situation took a sour turn when the photo became a subject of mockery online.
The photo quickly went viral, but rather than addressing the teasing, Ayra Starr’s management team reportedly promoted the image repeatedly, further amplifying the joke at Jaywon’s expense. “We took a picture and it went viral, you and your team never said anything about it. The only thing your management did was to promote the picture back to back,” Jaywon said, expressing his disappointment at the lack of action taken by Ayra Starr or her team to address the growing negativity.
Jaywon pointed out that Ayra Starr’s silence on the matter was conspicuous, especially given how much attention the photo received. “Nobody is dumb. We know how the [music] industry works. People are saying she didn’t say anything about the picture. Of course, she didn’t say anything about the picture but she saw it trending every day. Why would she not say something about it?” Jaywon asked, implying that her team was aware of the photo’s impact but chose not to intervene.
He further criticized the handling of the situation, suggesting that Ayra Starr and her management allowed the photo to continue trending because they benefited from the attention it brought. “Oh yeah, because that is how they roll. I don’t blame them. They feel like if they say something, they are going to stop the picture from trending. They enjoy it,” he stated, adding that such actions were a reflection of how the industry operates, where attention can sometimes be prioritized over addressing personal issues.
Despite his grievances, Jaywon concluded with a somewhat resigned tone, acknowledging that the entertainment industry is full of such dynamics. “No problem. Everybody has their time,” he said, signaling that he had moved on from the situation.
