Thanks to her success on various catwalks, she’d learned that modelling was her passion. “When the opportunity to model came about, I saw it as another way for me to be involved in the fashion world, and along the way, it also became a channel for self-reflection and self-expression, a platform to understand more about myself and my style.”

But, when the pandemic hit, she had to make the biggest shift in her life—May Siu found her passion for writing again. “I returned to Kuala Lumpur in 2020 just as the pandemic hit. Once cases soared, I decided to take that as an opportunity to stay in Malaysia, reconnect with family, and rediscover my roots.”

Halting her life as a model, May Siu couldn't just see her life wilt away during the pandemic. So she channelled her energy not only into getting back into the fashion industry but also into publishing. With a background in fashion communications, the model took a job at Buro Malaysia. “Writing has always been a means of self-expression for me. I found my way into journalism because it was a way for me to gain more knowledge, understand, and share about the topics and individuals that I want to know more about,” she explained.

She also freelanced for notable publications including Mula Zine, i-D, Lampoon Magazine and more. “As a writer, I think it’s important to document and platform local emerging talents, and celebrate and showcase Asian identity, culture and creativity, especially in a world that has been so dominated by the West,” she said. May Siu hopes to continue to create more spaces for people like her to be more represented via her crossroads between writing and modelling.

Once the pandemic ended, she decided it was time to nurture her creative side again and she started booking jobs as a freelance model. “I was working at BURO Malaysia full-time until Basic Models scouted me through Instagram in March 2022.” Once she signed on with them, the decision was made pretty quickly for her to move to Singapore.

The Malaysian model praises the social media platform for igniting a change in her life. On one hand, it's become an essential tool to survive the industry's digital surge, and on the other, an exhausting balancing act. “To be noticed and recognised by people, you need to have traction on social media.” But gaining that traction isn't as easy as it looks.

“There’s been a lot of change over the past few years—social media has been a catalyst for a lot of it, and now also a necessity to work. A lot of the opportunities that I’ve gotten as both a model and a writer would not have happened if Instagram didn’t exist.”

The fluidity with which she navigates the highs and lows of her career may be a watermark of her generation. May Siu is no stranger to criticism and rejection, particularly those that involve one's physical appearance. Learning not to live by other people’s opinions and not to take criticism to heart is how she approaches modelling. “I won’t take it personally, because there will be other opportunities,” she said. She adds, “Modelling has allowed me to see myself through the eyes of different people, and embrace and love my features more.”

A quick scroll through social media right now will show a burst of professional achievements, triumphs, personal and body goals. The need to seek validation through others is more prevalent than ever but that hasn’t deterred the model. “While there’s been progress over the last few years, the industry’s take on body positivity—as with diversity and inclusivity—still has a ways to go,” said May Siu.

Keeping her head held high, she adds, “The very structure of the industry makes it difficult for change to happen quickly––it boils down to the concept of standardised sizing and measurements, but it doesn’t mean it's impossible.”

Although still in the early stages of her modelling career, she’s determined to work hard to achieve her dreams and goals despite uncertainty and rejection. “It does get to me mentally, but having friends and family on your side helps. I feel super grateful to have been able to work with so many talented local creatives and be a part of their vision,” she said.

When asked what advice she can give to those starting, she simply said, “Understand your strengths and the beauty of your own body. Stay focused on what you want, show your personality, and be nice to everyone—it takes a village. It’s not all about you.”

Not one to back down from a challenge, May Siu hopes to expand her career in Europe soon. “Although there have been offers from around the region, the focus now is to again work on the other side of the world,” she said. On a personal and professional front, May Siu seems to be in a good place in her life right now. But, whatever comes her way, you can be sure that she will keep her head held high.

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This article originally appeared in Harper's BAZAAR Malaysia November 2022 issue.

Creative Director: Aziz Draim

Photographer: Edmund Lee

Videographer: Jackie Mah

Creative direction and styling: Ai Lim

Associate Art Director: Khairani Ramli

Talent: May Siu @ Basic Models Management

Text: Syameen Salehaldin

Hair: Juno Ko

Make-up: Khir Khalid

Assistants: Zhi Ying, Alisha Azuddin, Christine Chang