The first thing you notice about Natalia Tang Ling is her uncanny resemblance to Chinese A-lister Fan Bing Bing. So uncanny, even the latter herself remarked upon it when she first saw a photo of the Malaysian-born model and aspiring singer. The second would be her infectious laughter and bubbly, vivacious personality, both of which made her a fan-favorite and won her the first runner-up position at the Miss Universe Malaysia 2013 pageant. Recently signed on for a career in music, she opened up to our friends at LāOfficiel Singapore about her journey from being a child athletic prodigy to a bona fide singer-songwriter.
On becoming a performerā¦
I always wanted to go into show business, because I would always write my own songs and I enjoyed performing. I used to do drama when I was younger and was always on stage for something, but that was in high school and college. When I started growing up, my dad, who is a typical Chinese dad, told me toĀ āgo do businessā instead, so I figured Iād give it a shot and studied finance in Vancouver and went to work in a bank there. Thatās when I realised that I still like to perform. So I came back from Canada and joined Miss Universe Malaysia in 2013, and thatās where I actually began my journey. I was told that the quickest way to get some exposure ā because I didnāt know anything about the entertainment industry in Malaysia at all ā was through a pageant or competitions. There werenāt any English competitions and my Mandarin was non-existent at that time, so I had to participate in something that was in English, so I thought the only platform I could do was pageantry first. And thatās how it all started.
On beauty pageantsā¦
Miss Universe Malaysia was a reality TV series and I was in the second season, and boy was that an eye-opener. It was the first thing I ever did, and it was non-stop filming, so it was pretty tough. There were cameras all the time. They were trying to do it ANTM-style, but it was pretty lame, because they couldnāt put all the drama that really happened in the house ā yes, we all stayed in a house for a month, and we filmed inside out for 30 days. For me, it was like an introduction to the industry that was already so hard! Everything I did after that seemed easy by comparison. I remember how bad (doing the pageant) was before, so it was definitely good practice.
On golfingā¦
I played golf since I was 10, and I had been playing competitively from the time I was 14, all the way through university. I was taught to be really disciplined and the hours were always very long. Growing up, my dad was very strict and he taught me all these values, like always being on time, because if you miss the cut-off time in golf, youāre disqualified. Being in a competition means you have to learn to work under a lot of pressure. These values are exactly what you need to survive in this industry, and it really helped me progress a lot faster ā I didnāt have to learn all these lessons when I started show business, they were already in me.
On her upcoming projectā¦
Iām flying to Shanghai and weāll be recording my EP ā three songs, one of them my original work. Weāll also be shooting two music videos, something that Iāve been dreaming of from the day I decided I wanted to join Miss Universe Malaysia. I really hope to release an album, because I like to write songs and play the piano, and itāll be nice to get something out there thatās mine. I like writing screenplays as well, but I feel like thatās a step I should take later on because I still want to learn more. This EP is like a mini version ā I can write a little short story for my music video.
On her musicā¦
The music that I write is based on things that happen to me. I think itās really easy to write sad songs, but Iām not as depressing as Adele because I havenāt gone through so many bad breakups! But Iāve gone through my fair share, so thereās a lot of, āWhy did you cheat on me? Why did you die? Leave me alone!ā (she laughs). Thereās sad stuff in there because itās nice to use music as a venue to vent my frustrations so it keeps me a happy person. Itās like Iāve already channelled it away somewhere and all the sadness has gone into my songs and my writing. I feel the same way when I listen to other sad songs when Iām down. And just like how those songs have affected me, I want my songs to affect others as well. Pop music fascinates me. I find it interesting how a single person can produce something that the whole world likes, and I want to capture that.
On her musical inspirationsā¦
I used to listen to a lot of alternative rock when I was growing up. I used to be in a rock band, and I was quite the rocker chick which surprises a lot of people when they find out, since I donāt look like the type who would listen to rock music! I also really like Dashboard Confessional and Yellowcard. I love this Canadian band called Marianas Trench, they write a lot of stuff that doesnāt really make any sense when you first listen, very hipster-ish, but itās actually very deep and complex. But at the same time, I also really like Taylor Swift! Her music is so straight to the point. Sometimes, when you listen to music, you just donāt want to think so much. She can write songs that millions of people can āgetā, and you gotta respect that. So sheās also my inspiration.
On her personal interestsā¦
I like to fill my days with sport activities. I picked up Muay Thai, and I love hot yoga, Iām pretty sure Iām addicted to it. Iām also addicted to scuba diving. It keeps me interested in exercise ā I canāt make myself run in a gym for hours! I donāt diet but I have to keep my weight in check, so I must exercise, and in order to make it fun for me, I do sports.
On a first dateā¦
Iām actually quite shy in the beginning, but once I get comfortable I wonāt stop talking! Iām sure youāve noticed. I canāt stop. It just keeps going, like word vomit!
Story Credits
By Joie Goh
Photography by Joel Low
Styling by Jing Ni Oh
All outfits and accessories from Balmain x H&M
The post Interview: Natalia Tang Ling appeared first on LUXUO.