13 inspiring quotes from Her World’s 2023 cover stars

Xixi Lim: “I realised that being different is really nothing scary”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

1/13

You might recognise Xixi as the perennial best friend and/or comic relief in shows and movies such as The Oath (2011), Girl Band Called Girl Band (2019), Upside Down (2018), and most recently, Jack Neo’s Ah Girls Go Army (2022). She’s also a Youtube regular, and stars in variety show The Outcasts launched a year ago.

A turning point in her teenage life was when she spotted an ad at a lingerie store in Westgate, and she noticed that the model stood out because of the gap in her teeth.

“I realised that being different is really nothing scary,” she says of her epiphany. “I decided to really embrace myself step by step. So, I stopped hiding within a crowd.”

Read our January cover star’s full interview here

Yip Pin Xiu: “Strength means taking control of whatever you can take control of, and letting go of the things you cannot”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low

2/13

Competing in such a high-performance sport comes with a lot of psychological pressure. Pin Xiu recalls an incident in 2018, when a change in coaches led to her results dropping drastically, and she found herself unable to sleep properly due to the anxiety.

“At that point in time, I still tied my self-worth to my performance,” she shares. Her performance improved after she switched coaches again. The clarity that came afterwards allowed her to see that tying her emotions to the sport was unhealthy.

“That incident was a lesson for me. It was a red flag when I realised how my emotions were so affected by my performance in the pool. And because I didn’t ever want to feel like that again, I eventually learnt to detach my emotions from the pool.” It took a lot of inner work, she says, plus plenty of self-affirmation.

In typical Pin Xiu fashion, she chooses to see the silver lining. Those breakdowns, she says, offered her new perspectives: “To me, strength means taking control of whatever you can take control of, and letting go of the things you cannot. The incidents also highlighted to me that while swimming is a huge part of my life, it’s not everything. Life on its own… There are so many other things that make it special.”

Read our March cover star’s full interview here

Rozz Lee: “I don’t want to be pigeonholed, because I don’t want to let what I do for money define who I am as a person”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

3/13

It might be tempting to call Rozz a travel content creator, but this oversimplified label would not do justice to the many hats that the multi-hyphenate wears. “I think we attach a lot of self-worth to our job titles. I get it. It defines who we are, to a certain extent,” she explains. “But I don’t want to be pigeonholed, because I don’t want to let what I do for money define who I am as a person. I’m not someone who is a noun. I’m not a writer. I’m not a photographer. I write. I take photographs.”

Rozz’s brand of authenticity has become the cornerstone of who she is. She has a keen awareness that social media might not last forever, and that “[she] cannot depend on platforms like Instagram because at the end of the day, it doesn’t belong to [her]”.

“I think that the only way to ensure longevity as a creator is to constantly find out what stokes my fire, and how I’m going to amplify that,” she reflects. “For me, that’s travel right now, but how do I want to travel? Am I just gonna take beautiful pictures of Instagrammable spots? Or do I want to go to off-the-beaten-path countries and tell their stories?”

Read our April cover star’s interview here

Keyana: “These days, I try to view my past failures as my biggest motivator”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low

4/13

Like most girls her age, Keyana is still on the journey towards self acceptance. The 19-year-old says her strategy for combating self-doubt is simply to keep putting one foot in front of the other, and trust that each step is taking her closer to her goal.

“I used to be so angry and frustrated; I found it hard to accept the things I did and the things I went through,” Keyana shares, sounding contemplative. “But I realised that being angry is not effective; in fact, it’s torturous. These days, I try to view my past failures as my biggest motivator.”

Be it failed friendships and relationships or even making mistakes on stage, she says she now takes it all in her stride, and chalks it up to the human experience. “I’m not alone in having difficult experiences, and the lessons I’ve learnt along the way are invaluable,” she says. “Each experience just pushes me to be a better version of myself.”

Read our May cover star’s interview here

Liv Lo: “I’ve been broken many times, but [it’s important] to have the tools and the people around you to support you”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

5/13

It seems like Liv understands that in her role as a public figure, her openness can inspire others to speak their truth, but she’s also built solid walls to protect her sacred private life.

“The moment you vocalise your thoughts, you realise that others resonate with you. It’s comforting to know that you’re not alone in your experiences. Motherhood, in particular, can be a lonely and isolating journey if you keep your feelings bottled up inside. However, when you muster the courage to share and express your struggles, a sense of relief washes over you. It becomes an act of bravery, leading you to discover a supportive community of like-minded individuals. It’s in this vulnerability that true strength resides,” she says.

She adds: “I’ve been broken many times, but [it’s important] to have the tools and the people around you to support you.”

Read our June cover star’s interview here

Munah Bagharib: “No matter what you say, you must accept that there’ll be people who will disagree with you”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

6/13

She started off as one-half of Munah Hirzi, a local duo that drew hundreds of thousands of viewers to their YouTube channel for their outspokenness and humour. Since retiring from the video-sharing platform in 2018 to pursue her personal and professional goals, Munah Bagharib has graced our TV screens as a presenter and actor, and starred in a number of theatre productions.

In her interactions with young Singaporeans, Munah says that many struggle with defining themselves and carving out their place in society.

But she says it’s important to talk about how you’re feeling, whether via an online community or with friends, so that you don’t feel alone in your struggle. Some topics, such as sexuality and religion, may be seen as touchy or controversial, especially when discussing them publicly or on social media, but she believes that you can still make your views heard without crossing the line.

“If you have something to say, don’t just blurt it out. Do your research first. Know exactly what you want to say and what you want to achieve by saying it. Get other people’s feedback before putting your views out there publicly. What you share should have substance. And no matter what you say, you must accept that there’ll be people who will disagree with you."

Read our July cover star’s interview here

Kit Chan: “I really don’t believe in shortcuts, and always believe in taking the long view”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

7/13

When Kit is not acting, singing or songwriting, she’s found a new passion: permaculture farming, where you grow different types of fruits and vegetables on a plot of land, as opposed to the current, commercial practice of growing just one type for acres.

“The one important philosophy that links farming to my career, to the way I live my life, is the principle of sustainability. What is so attractive about permaculture is that it is sustainable, and I think that over the years, that’s how I’ve tried to do my work and live my life.

“I really don’t believe in shortcuts, and always believe in taking the long view. While I am very impatient in normal life with small things, I am very patient when it comes to bigger things where there is greater good at the end.

“The way I choose to live my life is to do things in a sustainable way, and really enjoy the process, knowing that I am leaving the world a better place – or at least not a worse place.”

Read our August cover star’s interview here

Jasmine Yen: “Sometimes, it’s okay to say no – not to hurt others, but to protect yourself”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Wee Khim

8/13

Titled tbh, Jasmine Yen’s first album was released on Sept 1. It has eight songs, four in Mandarin and four in English. Jasmine grew up attending international schools and is fluent in both languages, hence the decision “to release a bilingual album that represents who [she is].” The songs span genres such as punk rock, R&B, and slow ballads.

“Each song is so different, but if you put them together, they represent me and my thoughts and feelings right now as a whole,” she says. idk, the debut and focus single of the album, is a pop-R&B anthem with a simple but important message: Follow your heart.

The single’s acronym “idk” stands for “I don’t know”, but make no mistake: “It’s not about being clueless,” says Jasmine. “As I mentioned earlier, in my younger years, I was very shy – and I still am. Expressing my feelings and thoughts is sometimes a challenge. My personality leans towards being easy going.”

However, as she grew older, she came to realise that relying solely on the mantra of “if they’re happy, I’m happy” isn’t always feasible. “And so, I think this song is really about coming out of your shell, and being able to love yourself and prioritise yourself. Sometimes, it’s okay to say no – not to hurt others, but to protect yourself,” she explains.

Read our September cover star’s interview here

Janice Koh: “I think where life experiences have taken you, when that transformative moment happens, and how you react to it – all of this makes a difference”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Reuben Foong

9/13

When Janice Koh was diagnosed with tongue cancer last year at the age of 49, one of her initial reactions – apart from fear and grief – was relief.

“I was texting a friend two days after my surgery, and I told her, ‘What does it mean that I feel a sense of relief? I’m grieving, but I’m also relieved that I can finally let go of that part of my work’,” she shares.

The part of her work that she’s referring to is the self doubt, insecurity and imposter syndrome that comes with being a public figure.

For now, however, she’s become comfortable with “living with a question”. Her cancer diagnosis forced her to rethink her career, and she’s grateful that it happened when she was already established. She had already been considering her next steps pre-diagnosis, and this, she says, was the universe’s way of forcing her to act:

“I think where life experiences have taken you, when that transformative moment happens, and how you react to it – all of this makes a difference, at which points it catches you, and also where your mind space is at that time.”

It helps, too, that Janice has been intentional in creating “different rooms” in her life, a concept she’s borrowed from writer Brad Stulberg.

“I think it’s healthy to build different rooms in your life like a house, and those ‘rooms’ are the different roles and identities that you may have – as a parent, an actor, a friend, a mentor, and so on. So if, at any point, a door closes on one of them, you never feel like your whole identity has crashed. You can still seek refuge in other rooms.

“Maybe you’re in one room for a longer period of time, but you’re always keeping some fluidity in how you define yourself.”

The October issue features three covers featuring three women who are voices of impact in Singapore: Janice Koh, Preeti Nair and Shye. Read Janice’s cover interview here

Preeti Nair: “If I didn’t go through what I went through with my family and with my life experiences in general, would I still be the same person today?”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low

10/13

Not too long ago, during a recent therapy session, Preeti Nair had a significant realisation about her outlook on life. “This year was the first time I finally acknowledged how pessimistic I am,” she says. “As much as I will try to justify [my thinking] as being practical or logical, it’s actually really negative.”

Who can blame her? The past four years have been undeniably challenging for Preeti. She received a conditional warning from the police for a controversial parody video and lost her father to suicide – last month, her brother was handed a six-week jail sentence by the State Courts. That’s a lot for anyone to deal with, particularly when you’re in the public spotlight, and have embraced the role of being a voice (albeit a humorous one) for the under-represented in Singapore.

With everything that she has gone through, it would hardly come as a surprise if the thought that life is unfair has crossed her mind. “As a young girl, I definitely felt that life was unfair. I often wondered why I couldn’t have a normal family. Now, as an adult, when I reflect on those thoughts, I realise how insanely fortunate I am to have a mother who stood by me despite the chaos her husband put her through, and a sibling who has always been there for me, no matter what.”

If she was forced to make a choice between reliving her life exactly as it was or choosing to restart a new life, which would she pick?

“I guess if I had the knowledge that I was going to go through those things, it would have been nicer to go into it [prepared],” she jokes, before taking on a more serious tone. “If I didn’t go through what I went through with my family and with my life experiences in general, would I still be the same person today? Would I still care about everything I care about? I cannot answer that question because I literally don’t know. My upbringing played a significant role in shaping who I am today, and I can’t say that I’d be the same person without it.”

She asserts: “Despite everything I’ve been through, I’ve achieved what I have and used my platform to speak out. My life experiences, especially with my family, have shaped who I am and made me care about marginalised groups. That’s why I think I don’t really pick and choose causes that I want to speak up for. I know I can be a voice for marginalised communities.”

The October issue features three covers featuring three women who are voices of impact in Singapore: Janice Koh, Preeti Nair and Shye. Read Preeti’s cover interview here. Trigger warning: The story contains mentions of suicide.

Shye: “I’ve definitely experienced my fair share of challenges, but that’s how I’ve learnt along the way”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Reuben Foong

11/13

She burst onto the local music scene in 2018, when – at just 16 – she impressed both the crowd and the judges to win the Vans Musicians Wanted indie music competition. In 2019, she opened for Clairo when the American singer-songwriter performed in Singapore; the following year, she released her self-produced debut album Days to Morning Glory; in 2021, she performed the National Day theme song The Road Ahead at the National Day Parade (NDP) and released her second album Hello Trinity; and last year, she beat four other artistes to win Best New Act from Asia at the Bandlab NME Awards in London.

Now 21 years old, home-grown producer and singer-songwriter Trinity Shye-Anne Brown – who goes by the stage name Shye – continues to share her remarkable gift with fans with the release of her new single Somehow last month.

But her journey wasn’t always easy. During those early years, she was prone to overwork because she had to do everything herself.

“As a one-woman operation, I had to do my own writing, recording, producing, mixing and mastering, not to mention my own social media, merchandise design, cover artwork and event organisation,” says Shye, who adds that if she weren’t a singer and producer, she’d be doing something related to theatre, dance or animals.

“I’ve definitely experienced my fair share of challenges, but that’s how I’ve learnt along the way,” she shares.

The October issue features three covers featuring three women who are voices of impact in Singapore: Janice Koh, Preeti Nair and Shye. Read Shye’s cover interview here

Nathania Ong: “If you love what you do and believe it’s your calling, nothing on this earth can stop you”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Joel Low

12/13

By now, you may have seen the buzz on social media, or even watched Nathania Ong’s rousing performance in the flesh as Eponine, the tragic heroine of Les Miserables on London’s West End. In the past year, the Singaporean actor has captured the hearts of audiences with her portrayal of a character who perhaps most famously encapsulates the heartbreak of unrequited love.

Following a year-long season with the renowned musical, the London-based West End star is back in Singapore for another acclaimed production: Into the Woods, a retelling of several Brothers Grimm fairy tales reimagined by playwright James Lapine and legendary composer Stephen Sondheim.

Nathania ponders the highs and lows of her journey thus far: “I’ve been surprised by how much more capable I am than I initially thought. When you achieve something after working so hard, you realise: ‘I did that, and I’m capable of so much more than I ever thought possible.’

“More than the successes, I want people to see me as a person with my own struggles. To pull myself out of my low points, I remember the saying: ‘When the going gets tough, the tough get going.’ I had a choice. I could sit there and be sad – and I was, for a while, when I was just starting out – but if you love what you do and believe it’s your calling, nothing on this earth can stop you.”

She adds: “And honestly, I wouldn’t trade any of this for the world, because regardless of all the difficulties, what I feel like I’ve achieved have made the highs so much more worth it. I’m not done yet. I’m still going to do more, I promise.”

Read our November cover star’s interview here

Priyanka Annuncia: “I think being broken helped me find myself more”

Credit: PHOTOGRAPHY Reuben Foong

13/13

Sashes, smiles and sequins. For many, the shiny world of pageantry conjures up images of catty competition, unrealistic beauty standards, and oft-parodied calls for world peace.

But Miss Universe Singapore 2023 winner Priyanka Annuncia (crowned on her second try), is determined to dispel these notions, describing her experience in the pageant world so far as a “sisterhood”.

“It’s not about pitting women against one another,” she says. “It’s really about building women together. We’re all going through the same thing, feeling the pressure, and we are here to encourage one another.”

This deep core of confidence came to the fore when Priyanka lost her bid for the Miss Universe Singapore crown in 2022 – she did not even crack the top five and, for the first time in her life, self-doubt took over.

“I was broken, just completely broken. I’d been working so hard, and I asked myself, ‘Did I lack something? Was there something wrong with me?’ I was just crushed,” recalls Priyanka.

The immense pressure she’d placed on herself during her 2022 run made her feel “not authentic”. She says: “I went in with the expectation that I was already a winner of another competition [Miss Singapore Supranational in 2018], and if I lose, that’s really bad. I felt I had to be perfect. Basically, I can’t make a mistake.”

But once she had the time to rest and come to terms with the outcome, she saw the bright side coming through the hard way. “I think being broken helped me find myself more. I went back to my faith, and I felt more at ease. I learnt about what was within my control, and what wasn’t.”

Read our December cover star’s interview here