She is currently enjoying her time back in Malaysia on a two-week break from her promotional activities in the United States for her latest album, Chapters, which was released on May 20.
Sharing on the frustrations she felt after some Malaysians had criticised her for giving a hug to Usher at the end of performing their duet Crush, at his concert in June, she says she has not given up hope on her Malaysian fans yet, The New Straits Times (NST) reported today.
“Those were my personal opinions, and I believe there was a need for me to express what my thoughts were at the time, and I hope people here in Malaysia would be more mindful and respectful of people from different backgrounds,” the Alor Setar-born singer was quoted as saying by NST.
Her time back in the country is not just some R&R, as she has been busy performing as well.
Last week, she shared the stage with rock star Amy Search, rap artiste Joe Flizzow and three other singers at Konsert Cinta at the Istana Budaya in Kuala Lumpur, on a two-night stint.
Yuna, who turns 30 on Nov 14, also collaborated with her favourite local fashion designer Hatta Dolmat to come up with a new fashion collection, partly inspired by the singer.
At an event in KL to showcase the designs, Yuna also treated guests to her latest single Pulang which she worked on with local rapper SonaOne.
“I wrote Pulang while I was in Los Angeles. It was a time when I was reflecting on life away from my family.
“I asked SonaOne to help out with the track and he sent me the lyrics which sounded like a song about a long distance relationship,” Yuna said, but she politely declined to answer if that was also a personal experience for her, according to NST.
“Let me focus on one thing first, and that is my singing career,” she told NST, adding that she is in a relationship. Rumours are rife that her beau is a Malaysian of mixed Malay and British parentage.
Yuna, whose full name is Yunalis Mat Zara’ai, said she will next return to her Los Angeles base in the United States before going on a 6-city concert tour to promote “Chapters” in Europe. She is set to perform in Paris, Berlin and Rotterdam among others.
Yuna’s Chapters peaked at No 10 on the Billboards Adult R&B album charts in June. Aside from Usher, the album also features collaborations with Jhene Aiko and DJ Premier.
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