The digital space is still a strange one to navigate, and with trends, viral videos, and clickbait content dominating our screens, it’s difficult to know what content is worth our time. That’s why we are grateful for content creators who use their platform to do more than just entertain but to inform, inspire, and create change. With the new year just weeks away, we’re looking to a few Malaysian creators inspiring us to start the year right.
1. Shi Han
Shi Han, the creative director behind @human_edition on Instagram, is no stranger to the digital space. You’ve likely stumbled across one of her videos while doom-scrolling. Her content features inspiring personalities, most of whom are ordinary, everyday working people. She takes the simplicity of their lives and highlights the best part of life in Malaysia. She also features in many videos, showcasing the many things to explore and love about this country.
Beginning with a background in architecture and a love for the arts and films, Shi Han produces enriching and forward-looking work. She inspires us to live knowing that the grass is green where we water it and that beauty can be found all around us if we simply slow down and take the time to look for it.
2. Nandini Balakrishnan
Nandini Balakrishnan is a writer at SAYS with a focus on politics, society, race, and gender in the Malaysian community. Her social media platforms highlight serious issues in a way that is easy to understand while being thought-provoking. Her confidence, wit, and sense of style make her indeed a one-of-a-kind creator. Watching her stand up for what she believes in while staying true to herself encourages us to keep it real, both online and offline, and to make room for those who are different from us.
3. Arwind Kumar
This Malaysian social media personality, Arwind Kumar, gained popularity for his comedic persona and his take on pop culture. Though his content and audience have evolved over the years, Arwind maintains humour and honesty as a catalyst to discuss social, lifestyle, and cultural matters. His content is good for laughs and keeping up with Malaysian pop culture, but equally thrilling to witness how far authenticity can take you. If there’s one thing we are learning from him, it is to always walk into a room confident in who we are, and that is a lesson we will be practising all year.
4. Melissa Tan
Malaysian model and former beauty pageant, Melissa Tan is taking the social media world by storm. As a climate action and sustainability advocate, the Earth Day ambassador proudly uses her platform to carry forward the message of climate change and environmentally healthy practices. Apart from her efforts to make serious and meaningful changes, she shares parts of her lifestyle and how easy it is for us to make simple and meaningful changes in our everyday lives to better help the environment. Making little everyday changes that serve a bigger purpose sounds to us like a good way to start the year!
5. Deborah Henry
Deborah Henry is the former Miss Universe Malaysia 2011, model, TV host, and founder of Fugeelah. She is also the co-founder of Fugee School, which provides refugee children unrestricted access to education. Though her social efforts are nothing short of inspiring, her online presence offers us an inside scoop of what it takes to make a difference in the lives of others. Fashion, social causes, and change-focused events dominate her social media space, but the takeaway is that anyone can make a difference in their communities no matter where they come from.
6. Brandon Ho
TV personality, YouTuber, and radio host Brandon Ho is one of the more recognizable faces in the Malaysian social media scene. Most of his content involves creative collaborations, food and travel, and conversations on faith. Brandon shares content in a humorous and relatable way while making room for thought-provoking subjects. Moving into the new year, his content shows us that when you are grounded in your faith and beliefs, it allows you to have a humorous approach to life and to make connections with people wherever you go.
7. Maggy Wang
Podcaster and radio and TV personality Maggy Wang is the host of the Head Over Heels podcast. With a focus on empowering Malaysian women, Maggy’s content is not limited to one thing. She travels, shares advice, and talks about life, love, fashion, beauty, and more. Her confidence radiates across the screen, and it is truly empowering to see a woman be bold in achieving what she wants. We’re determined to become that woman in 2025!
