MUNAH BAGHARIB, 26
She is the comedic voice of her generation – and is not afraid to start twerking in public for a wacky video.
Call Munah a funny woman, but she takes comedy very seriously. The Temasek Polytechnic communications and media management graduate’s Youtube channel, Munah Hirzi Official – which she started in 2008 with her comedy partner and ex-coursemate Hirzi Zulkiflie as a platform to upload school media assignments – has chalked up a whopping 24.6 million views (and counting).
What inspires your hilarious skits?
“The people I meet, and the observations I make. Turning what I see into something funny is the best way of handling issues, especially sensitive ones.”
Your ‘Minahconda’ video (based on the Nicki Minaj hit, ‘Anaconda’) has almost 790,000 views – we’re impressed!
“Yeah, it’s probably the most popular one! We touched on a subject close to everyone’s hearts – food. So many viewers started sending us pictures of what – and how much – they were eating!”
How do you work up the courage to sing and dance – and twerk – in public?
“Just go for it; you never know how people will react, and most of the time, they’ll surprise you. Most people we meet are very supportive – especially foreign workers. When they find out we’re shooting a video, they all want to be in it. So sporting!”
PHOTOGRAPHER: WINSTON CHUANG, STYLING: EVON CHNG, HAIR: AARON NG/DECORUM, MAKEUP: AMY CHOW USING MAKEUP FOREVER. Jacket from The Kooples/Robinsons, Jumpsuit from Sinequanone/Robinsons.
Read more inspiring stories of the other 54 millennials only in the special 55th birthday edition of Her World July, available on newsstands now. Download the digital edition from the Apple App Store and Google Play.
Want to know more about Singapore women with cool jobs? Find out why this lady decided to be a frog farmer and why Singlish is so important to this Singapore playwright. Plus, one of Singapore’s top YouTube stars shares more about her viral videos.
