ALL EYES ON ELEANOR

The multi-hyphenated performer talks about fame, mental health and her growth in the spotlight.

- AARON KOK

It’s been four years since Eleanor Lee was last on the cover of Harper’s BAZAAR Singapore. Since then, both globally and granularly, we’ve seen a never-ending stream of changes: we’ve got a new president, the British have a new monarch, AI is now a thing, and everyone wants to be demure and mindful.

For Lee, the last four years were a period of change too. She’s starred in new dramas and movies, taken on complex and unfamiliar character roles, and released new music that brings her fans closer into her world.

“Being an actress and a singer was never my dream job,” she admits. It’s late on a Thursday night when we get on the phone—Lee has just returned to China after spending a whirlwind 48 hours in Singapore. “I’ve always wanted to be a fine arts artist. My passion for music came only as I grew up, and acting soon followed. The way I see it, music and acting are no different than painting: they’re all ways that I can express myself most effectively.”

Over the course of the conversation, Lee admits that she’s a “very shy and awkward person”, and identifies as being an introvert in spite of having a very public-facing career. Yet, you’d never feel that shyness when you meet her.

On the set of the cover shoot, Lee maintains a spirited bubbliness that keeps everyone laughing despite how tired she’s feeling. She’s cool in front of the camera, and as soon as the photographer turns to check the photos, she breaks out into a running man dance to elicit laughter from the crew. She’s so easy to relate to that you sometimes almost forget that she’s an international star.