YouTube sensation’s advice to youngsters everywhere
Published on: Sunday, September 29, 2019
By: James Sarda
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Another Indian making waves in social media who inspired her legion of fans at the Sharjah International Book fair was YouTube sensation Lilly Singh.
Lilly who is only 31 and styles herself as “Superwoman” recently became only the second woman of colour to be offered the chance to host a nightly show on NBC. She is an entertainer, author (How To Be a Bawse: A Guide To Conquering Life), motivational speaker, vlogger and actress as well.
The Canadian-born daughter of Sikh immigrants who is also the only woman on Forbes’ 2017 list of highest paid YouTube stars with earnings put at US10m (RM40m) told her fans she initially wanted to be a rapper and found YouTube the best platform to showcase her talents.
The Unicef Goodwill ambassador on children’s rights also had useful advice to youngsters the world over, who comprise a bulk of the 14 million that follow her on YouTube:
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“If you do not have a seat at the table in today’s day and age, make it 100pc your responsibility to have that seat and make sure your voice is heard.”
She said as a girl of colour growing up nobody wanted to hear what she had to say and that she struggled with depression at one stage in her life.
That’s when she began making YouTube videos in 2010 and calling herself “Superwoman” and never looked back.
“It’s a lot of hard work. You are 100pc the future and you need to act that way,” she told her young screaming fans.
“When I was younger there was nothing like YouTube.”
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She said she did not start making videos with the intention of becoming famous but for people to be happy even for five minutes with her funny, engaging way.
“My first few videos were bad because I was not being myself but over time I managed to portray my real self.
“When I began talking about my pimples and relationships, people began to support my journey,” she said. “Today I have conversations with 14 million.”
A feminist and strong supporter of child and women’s rights, she believes that youngsters should surround themselves with people who are a reflection of who they hope to become.
“Success comes from being stubborn and goal-minded,” she said.
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Despite her success, parents have also been critical of Lilly saying her apparent leaning to materialism does not make her a good role model. Plus the fact that she recently spoke of being a bisexual.