"There aren't many people who look like me in the local music scene, and with that comes its own set of struggles," says Singaporean singer-songwriter Keyana. "Not many people in Singapore naturally gravitate towards a performer like me, and it can be painful at times, but I also feel extremely fortunate to be the person carving the path [for other minority performers]. There is power that comes from that."
Insightful words from a person not old enough to legally vote. The multi-hyphenate who sings, dances, choreographs, models, and most recently, makes her own pottery, may only be 19, but she speaks with a certain gravitas. And as Keyana stands on the cusp of adulthood, she says she is slowly learning to not just accept her differences, but to celebrate them.
Stronger than yesterday
Keyana shares that she wasn’t always this self-assured. Born Melanie Sum Kasise to a Ghanaian dad and a Singaporean-Chinese mum, Keyana – who’s known as Mel to family and friends – has spoken out in previous interviews about her struggles with growing up mixed-race in Singapore.
After placing third in The New Paper New Face competition in 2017, the then 14-year-old scored a modelling contract with a Singapore modelling agency – but it wasn’t always smooth-sailing. In past media reports, Keyana has talked about the microaggressions she faced – such as being passed over for modelling assignments because clients weren’t open to models of colour.
Though she declines to elaborate on these experiences, Keyana has this to say: “I’m mixed-race and proud of it. I don’t necessarily want people to forget that I’m me.”
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2023 من Her World Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة May 2023 من Her World Singapore.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Is Social Media Really Necessary For Career Success?
Social media platforms are powerful job-hunting and networking tools, but if you don't use them for professional reasons or aren't comfortable posting online, don't worry - there are other ways to improve your career prospects.
PAYING IT FORWARD
When she noticed that women in developing countries were not getting the funding they deserved, Laina Raveendran Greene started Angels of Impact.
DRESSING FOR SUCCESS
Today's workplace dress codes are more varied than ever, but as the lines blur, we're left wondering: Is dressing down impacting how we show up - and how confident we feel at work?
Power Puff
This '80s skirt trend is popping up on our social media feeds and on the streets.
FIRING UP SINGAPORE'S INDIE CINEMA SCENE
Nothing makes Karen Tan, co-founder of The Projector, more happy and fulfilled than making a difference to a film-goer's experience. For her, that spells \"f-u-n\" and brings people together. In the third instalment of the \"HER WORLD, HER SPARK\" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Karen about her journey.
WILLA BELLE
ONG is intentional about building the next blocks of her career
Back For Good
Get ready we are now in the halterneck era.
Stick Sunscreen
Using sunscreen is extremely important to protect our skin from the harmful effects of the sun’s UV rays.
Beyond The 9-To-6
According to Her World's annual What Women Want survey, a staggering seven in 10 women in Singapore are willing to take a pay cut for a job that offers better perks and benefits, with a flexible work schedule being a top priority. Are employers here ready to accept flexible arrangements as part of our lexicon?
Leading Singapore's Sustainable Innovations
In this second instalment of the "HER WORLD, HER SPARK" series, presented in partnership with DBS, we speak to Oh Chu Xian, founder of deep tech start-up Magorium. Determined to make the construction sector a more sustainable one, she's revolutionising it with a new technology that turns plastic waste into sustainable building materials.