
While many girls her age are still figuring out what to do with their lives, Sophia has a definite idea about where she hopes to see herself in the near future.
Possessing rich vocals, she also has a knack for telling a good story, pouring out her inner musings in a song she wrote herself titled “Game of Charades”.
With her song in hand and a meeting with award-winning musician Ajai that her parents helped make happen, Sophia found herself working alongside the local composer-singer-songwriter to release her debut English single under Universal Music Publishing Sdn Bhd.
Speaking to FMT, the somewhat shy and modest Sophia says she always knew she was destined for a career in the arts, having danced ballet as a young girl.
Armed with her ukulele, the teen says she was also always fascinated about incorporating real-life experiences into her music.
“Singing is special to me because you can feel many emotions when you listen to the lyrics of a song and it’s a really good way for me to express myself.”
She adds, “’Game of Charades’ is about figuring out who you are, building self-confidence and coming to the realisation that it’s alright to make mistakes.
“It’s also about sticking to your opinions even though it might make you feel like an outcast.”

Ironically, she penned the lyrics to “Game of Charades” when she was only 14 years old, demonstrating a maturity beyond her years. It took her all of two hours she says, adding that she drew from her own experiences, perspectives and opinions.
“Once I have a melody and a story that I want to share, the words tend to flow quite easily,” she says.
The artistic music video, filmed at UNI Studio LTE in Selangor, was crafted by director of photography Nicholas Chin, assistant director Farah Fadzil and a styling team.
But reaching this point in her life wasn’t all smooth sailing, fraught as it was with feelings of self-doubt and occasional bouts of paralysing fear.
All the same, she plucked up the courage to speak to her parents about pursuing a career in music.
And just like that, things fell into place. Her parents introduced her to Ajai and that in essence, set the wheels in motion.
“At first, I was stuck. I was contemplating pursuing music professionally yet I struggled with doubts about my ability to write and sing. But I eventually opened up to my parents and thankfully, they were supportive of it.”

Ajai was sold on Sophia’s talent from the get go. He realised that they were jiving to the same rhythm, sharing the same fascination for great artistry and good music.
Currently pursuing her A-levels in the UK, Sophia has somehow managed to seamlessly juggle the demands of her studies, social life and musical career.
“I feel that I can balance it quite easily because I study in the UK, whereas the earlier part of my music career took place in Malaysia — that separation has allowed me to create some balance in my life,” she says, adding that her friends have been “so amazing and so supportive” of what she does.
The teen also gushed about her family, saying they had been her biggest support system and that her friends back home in Malaysia were rooting for her as well.

“Game of Charades”, distributed by Universal Music, is the first excerpt from her five-track album which is scheduled for release in August.
“I am extremely excited for people to hear it. Hopefully, each song will resonate with someone out there.”
“A lot of artists have struggled to make a name for themselves especially because this industry is very difficult and those are the people that will keep me motivated in this journey,” she says.