“I missed out on receiving two years’ worth of duit raya due to the pandemic, which I could’ve collected and bought something nice for myself.
“Now they say I am too big to receive duit raya! AND that I have to give out money to the younger ones,” lamented singer Layla Sania but her cheerful facial expression and voice belied the complaint.
Layla, who will be turning 20 in November, added: “But whatever it is, I am looking forward to this year’s Hari Raya because I can finally meet my relatives face to face after two years, and bersalam (greet).
“Worse is when the other person’s Internet connection is slow – you get this short pause after wishing them ‘Selamat Hari Raya’ before they wish you back. So, so, awkward.
“I am really looking forward to greeting each other without that dramatic pause.”
Talking to Layla in person, it’s hard not to be buoyed by her cheerful personality.
The eldest of four siblings – all girls – Layla Sania Khairuzikri, admitted that her own family can’t handle the large amount of cheeriness she exhibits sometimes.
“First thing in the morning, I would come down the stairs and just yell good morning and someone would say ‘take it down a notch please’,” declared Layla, mixing both English and Malay words in her sentences.
At this point, we learn that Layla doesn’t even drink coffee. Layla confessed with a wide smile that she’s given chamomile tea at times by her team to calm that high energy level.
There’s no doubt that this teenager is comfortable in her own skin. However, she said, it took a lot of effort before she developed her current level confidence.
Layla, who went to Chinese primary and secondary schools mentioned that, when she became a recording artiste at 16 – signed under Warner Music Malaysia – she was still a Form Four student at SMJK (C) Chong Hwa in Kuala Lumpur.
In 2019, she released her first single Que Sera Sera and followed that up with an appearance in the third season of I Can See Your Voice Malaysia (2020).
“It was a stressful time to be juggling both schoolwork and singing,” recalled Layla, who speaks, reads and writes Mandarin. “On top of that, I was also bullied at school just because I became a singer. At first, it was just name-calling, then it became worse.
“One time I came home from school and saw my tudung had scribbles on it. Until today I don’t know who did that.
“I was also a victim of cyberbullying; I would get terrible messages until my mum wanted to report it to the police.
“Later I found out that it was one of my schoolmates. I couldn’t believe it was her. Only when my mum confronted her did she admit it and apologise.
“All this happened just because I became a singer – I felt like giving it up. I didn’t get why I needed to be a singer if my peers were reacting this way,” she sighed.
Fortunately, Layla had a change of heart when she sat down and thought back on the real reason she wanted to be a singer.
She realised that singing was something that makes her happy and that she’s not doing it for anyone else but herself.
“I was a shy and timid girl who didn’t like talking, and singing was my way of communicating.
“I wasn’t very good in using words to express myself but I could do it through songs and melodies.
“You may not believe it today, but I would end up using the wrong words to convey what I was feeling, when I was younger. So, music is important to me.”
Over time, Layla learned to ignore all the negative comments from her peers and let it roll off her back.
“I was an extremely emotional person. If anyone said anything bad or scolded me, I would cry. “
“My mum told me that if I let everything get to me, it would take a toll on my mental health.
“Now I don’t cry over such comments... they don’t affect me so much,” she said, adding that it was the support of her family and a few close friends that made her stronger.
“I have always wanted to be a teacher and a singer,” said Layla of her ambitions. Yes, two occupations.
Layla explains. “My first dream was to become a singer. Then I wanted to be a teacher as well. You know, usually children have a lot of dreams of what they want to do when they grow up. But I thought it was impossible to be both.
“But as I got older, I realised that just because everyone says it’s impossible, it doesn’t have to be that way. I thought I’d give it a try to do both and see how it goes first before I say it’s impossible. For now, it’s working.”
Layla is currently in her final year of a two-year course in Diploma Of Education (Early Childhood Education) at Unitar International University. After a short break, she wants to continue by majoring in special needs child education.
Her long-term goal is to run an affordable kindergarten for children with special needs.
“I have seen children with special needs who are not sent to school because their parents can’t afford it.
“So, I want to come up with my own syllabus and make it affordable,” Layla said.
Her interest began as she likes hanging out with young children more than people her own age.
That idea grew when she met her cousin – who has non-verbal autism – and a few other children with autism, and discovered she could make a connection with them through music and art.
“It made me curious as to what their thought processes are and that’s why I am starting with Early Childhood Education.”
Earlier this year, Layla had the chance to portray an educator in the Lunar New Year film Small Town Heroes. “I had a great time doing that film, hanging out with my mischievous co-stars,” stated Layla, who sees reaching her own goals as the measure for success.
Of course, what is keeping Layla really busy these days is her job as an entertainer, although it was challenging at first.“When I started out, I felt I was lacking because I didn’t know what songs I should sing, what I should do, who I should meet – but now I don’t feel that anymore.
“And more importantly, now, I am surrounded by people who support me; I have people behind me, to guide me in my career as a singer with what I want to achieve.”
She seems to be on track.
One of the things Layla had always wanted to pursue as a singer was to release her own Mandarin songs.
After two Malay singles – Que Sera Sera and Lakaran – Layla released three tracks in Mandarin – By Your Side, Traveller and Bambino.
Bambino features Malay rapper Bunga, who raps in Mandarin. And just like Layla, Bunga attended Chinese primary school and is well-versed in the language.
Layla said proudly: “I am the only artiste at Warner Music Malaysia who’s involved in both the domestic market as well as the Chinese market.
“Penetrating China’s market was something we were seriously looking at, but then the pandemic happened. So, for now that plan is on the back-burner. Our focus is here currently, but it’s something we will revisit.
“I have been asked to learn Cantonese also. If I learn Cantonese, then I can reach even more people,” she said.
Any other languages she wants to master? “Yes, I want to learn Tamil!” came the reply.
As for what has been challenging as an artiste, Layla confided: “My biggest hurdle has been time. And of course, the pressure to become better – not for anyone else, but for myself.
“As you see your goals coming true – for example, I got to appear on the Times Square billboard in New York City (in July last year under Spotify’s Equal Singapore and Malaysia programme) – I don’t want to stop just there, I want to achieve other big things. So that pressure is on me.
“Also, the responsibility that piles up as you grow up – regardless of whether you are a singer or not – the responsibility of becoming an adult follows you.
“So, juggling that responsibility is also a challenge for me.”
Of course, being the positive person that she is, she said about the challenges: “I can do this.”
Already a subscriber? Log in
Get 20% OFF The Star Digital Access
Cancel anytime. Ad-free. Unlimited access with perks.
