Preeti Nair

Comedian, rapper and podcast host Preeti Nair gets real about mental health, being censored, and losing her father to suicide. Throughout these challenges, she maintains an unwavering determination to keep using her voice for the under-represented.

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.

A COMPELLING VOICE FOR CHANGE

Preeti gained popularity online in 2016 after she released a viral parody in response to a video that featured insensitive critiques of Singaporeans’ fashion choices. She transitioned to working full-time as a comedian and Internet personality (@preetipls) in 2017. On social media and in videos, Preeti is extroverted with a larger-than-life personality.

In person, however, she’s an introvert. Acknowledging her “shy and quiet” personality, she explains: “Being quiet does not necessarily reflect my lack of interest in conversation; it’s just that I tend to have a lot on my mind, and I’m someone who simply likes to observe a lot more.”