The Internet’s favorite sensation Lilly Singh gets real about the lack of women in comedy and why there are absolutely no shortcuts to viral fame.
LILLY SINGH COULD WELL BE CLARK KENT. THE SOCIAL MEDIA sensation who goes by the moniker of Superwoman has a quiet, dependable strength that Superman’s alter-ego is famous for. There’s also a sense of resilience that we’re not privy to when she’s on YouTube or onstage. It’s interesting that while the boisterous Superwoman was the one who saw methrough a lot in all the years I’d been a fan as a young adult, it’s Singh who makes the grander impression when we finally meet.
The Indo-Canadian YouTube sensation claims she’s more unicorn than human, and is effortlessly professional from the moment she arrives on the set for the cover shoot. For someone who has the world eating out of her hand, Singh is unfussy about everything (“A regular Margherita is good, thank you”) and rarely ever gives the dutiful support staff a chance to fuss over her.
Superwoman simmers just beneath the surface, making appearances between flashes of the camera and then again when a couple of pre-teen fans visit the set. It quickly becomes apparent that while Superwoman is the one with the powers, Singh is the true hero. “Superwoman is a performer,” she says when we sit down for a chat after the shoot. “Superwoman is onstage, so she’s super loud, super animated, never gets tired and never feels scared. Lilly... is the business owner. She does get nervous sometimes, she gets scared and she gets tired. So personality-wise they’re very similar but of course one is the performer and the other is the backbone of the business.”.”
This story is from the May 2017 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the May 2017 edition of RollingStone India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
anumitanadesan
The singer-songwriter talks about her first Malayalam film song, her upcoming debut abum and working across genres and languages
amrit ramneath
Understanding the interplay between abiding by tradition and progress is no new feat for this 25-year-old composer
yashraj
With chart-topping collaborations with seasoned veterans, this rapper has consistently been in the conversations of industry observers
dǝbzee
The 'Malabari Banger' hitmaker shares exclusive insights on his upcoming projects, life, and his vision for the future of music in India
taba chake
The Arunachal Pradesh-based singer-song-writer discusses how his latest song \"Kahani\" reflects the power of love songs.
ranj x clifr
The Bengaluru singer-composer and producer duo may not be done with hip-hop, but they are venturing into pop, R&B and Tamil songs next
RESHAPING THE FUTURE OF MUSIC
How digital collectibles, especially for live events, have a tremendous potential
Evnne On 'Un: Seen,' Their 'Seen,' And 'Unseen' Sides
The Band Discusses How A Setback Early In Their Career Spurred Them On And How They Fused Those Experiences With Their Sound In Their Second Mini Album, ‘Un: Seen
kayan
Between fandoms and aesthetic-setting live shows, artist Ambika Nayak talks about wanting to put out an album
anoushka maskey
Taking her “self-organized” Sunny Side Tour across the country, the Sikkim-origin artist is prioritizing consistent releases and exploring bossa nova next