Jaywon expressed disappointment, particularly with how Ayra Starr and her team handled the situation: “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? 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 elaborated on his reasons for taking the photo, emphasizing his intent to show support for the rising star: “People also support and celebrate me, too. So when I see a young artist doing good, I want to be part of that celebration.”

Jaywon criticized Ayra Starr’s management for their silence amid the online backlash that ensued after the picture went viral: “We took a picture and it went viral, and you and your [management] never said anything about it. The only thing your management did was to promote the picture back to back. Nobody is dumb. We know how the [music] industry works.”

Jaywon believes that Ayra Starr’s team chose to remain silent to keep the photo trending, adding, “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? 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. No problem. Everybody has their time.”