Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr has opened up about the emotional and physical challenges she has faced since relocating to the United States.
In a recent Substack post titled “I’m not scared, I promise,” the Rush crooner reflected on feelings of loneliness, the harsh weather, and moments of self-doubt following her move from Lagos to New York after signing a management deal with Roc Nation.
Describing her new surroundings, Ayra Starr said her apartment feels “almost empty,” while likening New York’s climate to “a walk-in freezer.” She admitted that the extreme cold has taken a mental toll on her and has sometimes made her question the decision to relocate.
“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 realise happiness was just a summer hallucination,” she wrote.
The singer also confessed to experiencing occasional regret, noting that she would normally be enjoying Nigeria’s vibrant “Detty December” celebrations with friends but is instead navigating solitude in a foreign city.
Despite the challenges, Ayra Starr described her move as a “rebellious risk” taken in pursuit of her career. She added that the transition has ushered her into what she called her “nobody gets me era,” explaining that she no longer feels the need to constantly prove herself to anyone.
