AT only 21 years old, Siti Nurmasyitah Mohd Yusoff, better known as Masya Masyitah, has proven herself as a contender in the international music scene. Who knew that this modest girl from Kulim, Kedah could sing in Mandarin.
Two years ago, she bought a house with the money she made singing and last year, she won a regional talent contest. We talked with the former student of Sekolah Menengah Jenis Kebangsaan Cina Chio Min about her recent journey and where she is heading.
Tell us about your journey as a girl from Kulim, Kedah who went on to become a champion in a regional competition like Yippi Life Star Quest 2020.
It was a live-streaming contest, where you can showcase your talent, whatever it is, from dancing to singing and talking to doing art. You can even do comedy if you are good at it. For me, as a singer, I sang.
There were five levels in the competition. At the first level, they shortlisted the contestants for the top 100, then the top 24, top eight, top four and finally, the top two.
That is where I competed against another contestant from the Philippines and became the champion.
I only sang throughout the competition. While others may have brought multiple talents to the table, I maintained myself as a singer. So it was an unexpected blessing that I won.
Throughout the five levels of the competition, people loved how I performed and sang. Honestly, that was a surprise as it was a regional competition involving contestants from all over Asia.
I was proud to represent Malaysia.
What encouraged you to sing and especially compete in an international arena like China?
It’s my family. They supported me from the start. When I was young, my parents would take me to singing contests. I would do my best to gain experience each time.
When I joined those singing competitions as a child, I was always surrounded by other kids who sang Mandarin songs and that was where I was exposed to Chinese songs. From there, I developed an interest in singing in Mandarin and other languages.
I listened to these songs and practised at home. From there, I started joining Mandarin singing competitions. I received a lot of positive feedback on singing in Mandarin and it gave me the confidence to compete abroad, like in China.
Even native speakers told me that my pronunciations were spot on. So from there, I felt I was ready to go international.
What does the entertainment industry mean to you?
For me, it is a place to highlight talent. For example, I have a talent for singing. I take my talent and showcase it and get experience through that to make it into a career.
Do you own a business?
I sell homemade snacks like biscuits, cakes and spring rolls. It’s only an online thing. My mum and I manage it. I just started this business five months ago.
Thankfully, the reception is encouraging. We have a lot of orders. However, supplies are limited because it’s just me and my mum doing the whole thing.
Given the opportunity, I would expand the business and perhaps hire some workers so we can meet the demand.
Who do you want to be known as?
In the entertainment industry, I want to be known as a singer. But outside, I just want to blend in with the crowd. I am a low-profile person. I don’t want people to see me as a public figure, or a great singer.
I don’t want people to be afraid to talk to me. Some people are shy because they consider me an artiste. I am more comfortable if the public sees me as just another person.
Is there anything about you that has not been written yet?
In the papers, they always write about my career, the contests I won like the recent Star Quest. So those who read the newspapers would know of my journey. How I used to fly back and forth from China. There’s nothing special about me. I’ve shared all that I can.
