A brand new viral dance. An entire lot of drama. A number of recent faces with inside jokes that everybody might take part. 2020 was the yr that Tiktok – because the Gen Zs would put it – “ate” the Web. When the world discovered itself doom scrolling, Nicole Liel took to the social media app to rework mundane moments into comedic gold.
“Occurring Tiktok was extra like: Let me simply discuss c*ck throughout Circuit Breaker and see the way it goes,” she says. One add of a enjoyable tackle Nicole’s day by day routine, and Tiktok’s For You algorithm thrust her into the limelight, amassing hundreds of followers in a single day. “I used to be like ‘Wow, 10K folks care about what I say. Slay!’”
Quick-forward to 2024, and the 25-year-old boasts over 190,000 followers on Tiktok and 57,000 on Instagram, establishing herself as a witty storyteller who captivates with entertaining anecdotes. From a younger age, the Singapore-born Tiktok star had at all times flirted with the thought of turning into an entertainer.
However on this business, success usually hinges on both look or charisma. “If I have been scorching, I might reside solely on my appears to be like. I’m not saying this to shade good- trying folks, however I’ll simply make the most of my appears to be like. However for those who don’t match into the class of what folks assume is fairly, what else do you’ve however your charisma?” she says. “[Plus] sh*t occurs in life. It’s simply simpler to snort it off.”
Together with her signature unapologetic storytelling type and exaggerated facial expressions, one in every of her in style movies recounts an expertise in Malaysia, the place she served as a translator for a bunch of vacationers from China who wished to guide a karaoke package deal. She then re-enacted the awkward interplay she had with a workers member in damaged Malay. The video concludes along with her expressing appreciation for her Malay mates from whom she has picked up some primary Malay. “HELP I’M LAUGHING SO HARD AT THE ‘BOLEH’,” one person commented.
As a member of a era that actively engages in social media, she has additionally broadened her content material past what she humorously refers to as “rants on life”. She has posted movies quizzing the older era on topics like Gen Z slang, and the comparability between appears to be like and character. “I received’t movie aunties [arguing] and do a video about it. As a substitute, I’ll go as much as them and interview them. Then, from their responses, I’ll attempt to make all of it humorous. I actually like this type of interplay because it feels very healthful,” she says.
She has additionally collaborated with Ya Kun Kaya Toast on a giveaway after giving a shout-out on the reside telecast of the Nationwide Day Parade in 2022. The display screen time earned her the nickname “BTO lady” as she proclaimed her love for the Housing and Improvement Board (“I’m very grateful to HDB for giving me a BTO queue quantity. Woo!”) proper earlier than the Ya Kun shout-out.
Embracing the highlight
Cotton T-shirt, Longchamp. Leather-based outsized jacket, & Different Tales
Whereas the comic’s on-line persona exudes extroversion, a better look reveals an introvert navigating the highlight with humour. “In a bunch setting, I want to be the wallflower. But when I get put within the highlight, then I’d haven’t any selection however to suck it up and simply go for it,” she admits.
Regardless of her introverted nature, Nicole was recognised for her skill to convey laughter to the school rooms. She recollects being one of many college students who teased the academics, incomes her the fame of a category clown – form of. She provides a playful comment, saying, “Not me saying this and it will get quoted. My major college mates are going to be like ‘Wow, that Nicole is extraordinarily delusional. Like nobody knew who she was’.”
Nonetheless, her distinctly localised sense of humour emerged throughout her secondary college days, influenced by the acquisition of Hokkien expressions and what some would possibly describe as “ah lian” mannerisms. “Once I went to secondary college, I didn’t even know what ‘sia’ (a Singlish expression used on the finish of a sentence) was!” she exclaims.
She additionally reveals a nervous tic inflicting stuttering, which she counters by code- switching between native, American, British, and Australian accents. However switching accents in a dialog isn’t a brand new phenomenon on Tiktok; it’s a development embraced by many so as to add a humorous contact to conditions.
She has showcased her fake accents in a few of her movies. In a single, she is seen teasing Singaporeans getting back from Australia after simply two weeks. Describing her strategy to mastering accents, she explains, “I do that factor the place I am going to a overseas nation and attempt to choose up [what the locals say]. I’d then [put on] the accent to order issues as a result of it’s simply a lot sooner. If I have been to make use of my Singaporean accent, then they’d be like ‘Wot? Wot?’ So okay lah, then go swap lor.”
Her knack for accents extends again to her Nanyang Technological College days the place she graduated with a bachelor’s diploma in Visible Communication. She recollects playfully imitating a lecturer’s thick Russian accent. Reflecting on these occasions, she jokes: “I believe it’s actually simply [a bad habit]. I [imitated her] throughout class as a result of I couldn’t deal with anything.”
Discovering humour in on a regular basis life
Based on the content material creator, what you see is what you get. She asserts that her content material displays real experiences, eschewing the necessity for elaborate brainstorming periods. “It’s me experiencing life in Singapore, and considering that there should be a purpose that I’m experiencing these silly, minor inconveniences that don’t even make sense,” she says.
Using the wave of the viral “after all” Tiktok development, Nicole lately contributed with a video captioned “We’re girlie pops on our interval”, light-heartedly shedding mild on relatable experiences ladies share throughout that individual time of the month.
Even in content material creation, the Tiktoker is cautious to not cross any boundaries. In a world dominated by cancel tradition, comedians can rapidly discover themselves dealing with backlash for inappropriate jokes, probably getting into a “villain period”. Consequently, many younger comedians have adjusted their content material to align with what’s at the moment deemed socially acceptable.
To Nicole, her comedic philosophy centres on intent. She emphasises that she needs her web page to be an area the place folks can take pleasure in her movies with out feeling marginalised in any means, avoiding low cost photographs at sure matters equivalent to racial stereotypes.
“Every little thing you do will be taken out of context, so I really feel like there are matters that I’ll by no means tread. In relation to delicate matters like psychological well being, I don’t need to make sweeping statements or assumptions about folks. I strive to not make jokes on the expense of individuals’s emotions,” she muses.
That being stated, Nicole can also be a agency believer that comedy needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. “In case you every part additionally need to kena offended, then how are you going to reside blissful? Generally, it’s a must to give and take.”
Nurturing a brand new era of Tiktokers
Cotton shirt, Kenzo. Denim denims, Cos. Assorted rings, & Different Tales
Identical to any character within the public eye, Nicole’s on-line journey hasn’t been with out its challenges. Whereas she’s sidestepped polarising movies, criticism abounds. “There are feedback like ‘Her voice is so annoying’ or ‘I can not stand her’. One stated ‘Are you able to not scream in your movies?’ And I’m like, ‘Okay, I can strive’. However no, I can’t. Some persons are born like that. Like, if you need, you’ll be able to take it up with my mom. She’s the one who gave me these genes, proper?”
On the flip aspect, she cherishes a supportive group of followers, a few of whom she has met in actual life. A considerate gesture got here within the type of a crocheted canine toy, recognising her love for her canines Bueno and Louis, as evident by the tattoos adorning her arm. Notably, the canine tattoo stands as Nicole’s first ink, amongst a group that has since grown. In spite of everything, she is coupled up with Singapore tattoo artist Jeremin. However it isn’t all about wanting a “fast pic” these days. “They are going to strike up a dialog and ask me for recommendation generally. Such as you need recommendation from Nicole jiejie (older sister)? However yeah, I’m nonetheless so blown away.”
Nicole usually finds herself providing recommendation to aspiring Tiktok creators too. “A mentor as soon as instructed me: Don’t second- guess your self. Do no matter involves thoughts and execute it to one of the best of your skill – don’t let the views have an effect on you. Attempt your subsequent concept and carry on doing it. You would possibly discover one thing that sticks. Traits can solely take you to date,” she shares.
Discovering function offline
Although her month-to-month earnings often surpass these of a latest graduate, Nicole recognises that her Tiktok endeavours don’t supply a constant earnings stream. This has lead her to put on many hats, together with being the founder and brains behind the operations of lash studio Cuuul, and inclusive clothes model Doubtless Liel.
She additionally lately made her native TV drama debut on 128 Circle (2019), taking part in a younger hawker named Elysha, a task that she deeply resonates with. She attracts parallels between her journey of opening a lash studio after the Circuit Breaker and the character’s wrestle of renting a hawker stall for a bubble tea enterprise with barely any financial savings. “Enjoying [Elysha] felt very simple, and to a sure extent, very cathartic as there are a variety of scenes the place I’m screaming in anger,” she says. The character’s robust exterior often breaks down, revealing a susceptible aspect that seeks parental steerage, mirroring Nicole’s personal emotions of getting to tackle the parental position for her sister attributable to their dad and mom’ separation at a younger age.
But it surely’s not all rage. With some inventive management, Nicole seized the chance to inject humour into her efficiency. “When it got here to my character, it was very a lot how I might reply to conditions the place I’m helpless. As a substitute of simply being unhappy, I might make mild of the state of affairs with a few jokes,” she shares.
ON NICOLE Sequinned jacket, Longchamp ON FARAH Outsized jacket, Longchamp ON CHIOU HUEY Gabardine cotton- lined jacket, Longchamp
Now that she has accomplished TV, will she take her comedy to the stand-up stage? “Have you ever seen the best way they tear up feminine comedians? I’m an introvert! Think about having conversations in entrance of individuals and being humorous on the similar time,” she says.
Regardless of her reservations concerning the business’s remedy of feminine comedians, it’s one thing that she would possibly rethink. She acknowledges the necessity to put together for good materials and supply, and expresses a willingness to have interaction in humorous conversations with reside audiences. In spite of everything, she has just about achieved this with hundreds of Tiktok customers. “Given the chance, I might like to. Even when I bomb, it’s nonetheless publicity. That video would go viral like ‘What the eff is Nicole saying?’ That is comedy now.”
PHOTOGRAPHY JOEL LOW
CREATIVE DIRECTION & STYLING LENA KAMARUDIN
ART DIRECTION RAY TICSAY
STYLING ASSISTANTS JEON JAE WON & SAW YONE YONE
COORDINATION CHERYL LAI-LIM
HAIR GREGO, USING KEUNE HAIR COSMETICS
MAKEUP LASALLE LEE & RINA SIM, USING DIOR BEAUTY
COVER OUTFITS LONGCHAMP
Her World’s March 2024 cowl options three new-gen comedians making Singapore snort: Farah Lola, Nicole Liel, and Chiou Huey.
Supply: Her World
