The teasing and bullying weighed heavily on her young heart, but Taylor found solace and strength in an unexpected place: music.
“I liked singing sad songs because of the bullying. They allowed me to express how I was actually feeling,” Taylor told FMT Lifestyle recently via Zoom from her home in Kuching, Sarawak.
At just 10 years old, Taylor has already made a name for herself on the international stage. The young singer recently won a gold medal in the Open Category for ages 8-10 at the 27th World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA), and was crowned the 2024 Junior Division Champion.
“I was excited but a bit nervous because I wanted to represent Malaysia and make my family, friends and coach proud,” she recalled of her experience competing in Los Angeles last month.
Despite her nerves, she delivered stunning performances, singing a diverse repertoire that included “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish, Malay folk song “Lenggang Kangkung”, and “Never Enough” from “The Greatest Showman”.
“The American producers told me Taylor could sing very well and express all these emotions. They asked if she had experienced something bad before, and when I told them about the bullying, they understood,” her mother, Jacqueline Chang, shared.
Chang stands as her youngest daughter’s biggest supporter, saying: “She’s worked so hard and proved to herself that she can sing.”
Indeed, the road to the WCOPA was paved with dedication and hard work: Taylor spent months preparing and practising daily with her coach, and this commitment has clearly paid off.
For Taylor, the experience was not just about winning but about proving something to herself. “I feel very proud that I finally achieved my goal!” she exclaimed.
According to Chang, her daughter’s love for music began at a young age. “She started singing at four. When she was young, she couldn’t talk properly. I thought she had speech issues.
“But she could sing out all these words, so I encouraged her to listen to more music and sing. I think that’s why she likes it,” Chang said with a smile.
Taylor’s passion grew even in the face of difficulties such as the bullying at school. While the emotional weight of these experiences has resulted in her being homeschooled, it has also lent her performances an authenticity that has resonated with many.
Music also became a therapeutic outlet for Taylor during the isolating days of the pandemic. “I couldn’t go out anywhere and I didn’t have any friends. I felt alone but I would sing to make me happy,” she recalled.
Throughout these challenges, her mum has been a pillar of support for Taylor: “I hope she never gives up on her dreams and continues to do what she loves.”
Taylor also regularly busks outside kopitiam in Kuching, drawing smiles and encouraging words from passersby. “They tell me ‘good job. Keep it going’,” she said. “That really makes me happy.”
As Taylor prepares for her next big challenge – auditioning for “America’s Got Talent” – her mother continues to cheer her on, recognising the importance of allowing her daughter to pursue what her heart desires.
Chang even plans to send Taylor to a performing arts school in Singapore once she graduates from high school. “When she sings, she’s someone else. It’s like she transforms on stage,” Chang noted.
Ultimately, Taylor’s story is not just about hitting the right notes, but about overcoming adversity and finding her place in the world.
Asked her advice for young aspiring singers, she replied: “Don’t be shy about what you do; be brave because it can inspire others.”
As for her own future aspirations, she is nothing but confident: “I want to be a superstar!”
Follow Taylor Louise Fong on Instagram.