Afrobeats sensation Ayra Starr is basking in global spotlight after a sensational performance at Coldplay’s “Music of the Spheres” world tour stop in Miami, where she shared the stage with the iconic British band in front of a star-studded audience—including football legend Lionel Messi and his wife, Antonela Roccuzzo.
The concert, which held at the prestigious Hard Rock Stadium on Sunday night, took an exciting turn when Coldplay’s lead singer Chris Martin introduced the Nigerian hitmaker mid-show. Ayra Starr delivered an electrifying performance of their collaborative track “Good Feelings”, as well as her viral new single, “Hot Body,” to thunderous applause from the crowd.
However, what made the night even more memorable for the 21-year-old singer was the presence of Inter Miami star, Messi, in the audience. Midway through the show, the couple’s image was projected onto the stadium screen, sparking wild cheers from fans who were thrilled to spot the World Cup champion enjoying the performance.
Following the show, Ayra Starr took to social media to express her excitement, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“I just performed Hot Body on stage with Coldplay!! And Messi was in the audience 🥹🥹🥹😭😭😭”
This appearance is yet another high point in what has been a meteoric rise for Ayra Starr, who has rapidly become one of Nigeria’s most influential music exports. Known for her unique voice, bold fashion, and genre-defying style, she continues to break boundaries and represent Afrobeats on the global stage.
Coldplay’s collaboration with the rising Nigerian star also speaks volumes about the growing global influence of African music. Starr’s inclusion in the Miami setlist follows her Latin Diamond certification earlier this year, making her the first African artist to receive the honour—further affirming her expanding international reach.
Industry watchers and fans alike praised the chemistry between Ayra and Chris Martin during their Miami performance, as well as the symbolic moment of a young African artist performing confidently before one of the greatest footballers of all time.
The Miami concert is part of Coldplay’s ongoing global tour aimed at promoting unity, climate awareness, and musical fusion across cultures. The inclusion of diverse artists like Ayra Starr is a reflection of the band’s inclusive musical vision.
Ayra’s performance also comes on the heels of her recent statement about being Rihanna’s favorite African artiste, further solidifying her position as one of the hottest young stars in global pop culture today.