From karaoke sessions as a child to winning international competitions, the Malaysian singer sits down with BURO to discuss her unyielding passion for music and her path to stardom, all while bedecked in the latest treasures from Chanel’s Coco Crush collection.

There's just something about Jeryl Lee. It's not anything she does, particularly—simply an innate, ephemeral quality that separates stars from the rest of us mere mortals; an impossible-to-manufacture magnetism that makes you want to watch their every move. For lack of a better word, we’ll call it star quality—that intangible spark that no amount of training or practice can instill. Jeryl Lee has it in spades, though she'd be the last person to acknowledge it.

She stands as a refreshing anomaly in the glittering world of entertainment, where artifice often overshadows authenticity. The small-town Malaysian singer whose powerful voice has captivated audiences across Asia carries herself with a disarming humility that seems almost incongruous with her commanding stage presence. Onstage, her voice soars with the kind of emotion that can silence a room, but offstage, she is unassuming, quietly reflective, and grounded in a way that makes you almost forget she has been in the spotlight for more than half her life. It is this intriguing dichotomy that makes Jeryl not just a singer, but an artist who resonates on a deeper level—someone whose artistry goes beyond technical brilliance and touches upon something more profound.

Like many great love stories, Jeryl's romance with music began in the most unassuming of places—at karaoke sessions with her mother and family friends. At just eight years old, encouraged by the supportive uncles and aunties around her, young Jeryl would fearlessly grasp the microphone and perform Chinese classics for her familial audience. It was in these moments of pure, uninhibited joy that her extraordinary talent first revealed itself, prompting her mother's friends to suggest formal vocal training.

What followed was a meteoric rise through the ranks of competitive singing, with her first major break at age 12 when she competed in Astro Star Quest in Kuala Lumpur. It was a significant stepping stone that led to more competitions beyond the borders of Malaysia. She began to compete in China, the world's largest Mandopop market, pushing herself into new levels of performance and professionalism.

In 2014, Jeryl won first place in the teen singing competition, Water Cube Cup. The victory reaffirmed her potential and motivated her to aim for even greater heights. The culmination of her young career’s efforts came in 2016 when she was selected as one of six finalists in Sing! China. At just 15 years old, Jeryl moved to Beijing, the youngest competitor that year. For nearly a month, she stayed alone in a foreign city, tackling the high stakes of an elite competition with a maturity and resilience that belied her tender age. "I was not only a foreigner; I was also the youngest competitor," she recalls. The experience tested her maturity and composure but also affirmed her passion for music. It was the beginning of her transformation from a young girl with a dream to a bona fide artist.

Jeryl describes herself as an extrovert turned introvert, a transformation shaped by countless solitary hours in hotel rooms during competitions in China. The pressure and loneliness of these experiences have left their mark, teaching her valuable lessons about resilience and self-care. "It's hard, actually," she admits. "I think most of the time when I feel depressed, or when I feel really alone, I force myself to focus on gratitude. I will also try to do things I like, such as watching movies, talking to my friends or, like, going out to a cafe and just chill."

Jeryl: The Person

In her downtime, she finds solace in the simple pleasures of watching lifestyle vlogs, particularly enjoying content creators like Moya Mawhinney and Michelle Choi. Once a keen vlogger, she's had to set aside this creative outlet as her career demands have intensified.

Perhaps most surprising is her candid admission about interviews. "One of my biggest challenges is expressing myself during interviews. To be honest, I really hate it," she confesses, quickly following with an apology. "I don't know how to express what I feel. People always ask me why I chose music, and I find it difficult to say anything other than that I feel music chose me."

Despite her reservations offstage, Jeryl is a completely different person when she performs. There’s no hesitation, no second-guessing—only the raw power of her voice and the emotion in her delivery. “It’s always the same cycle of nerves and anxiety before every performance. Every. Single. Time,” she confesses. “It always gets to me, and I always get a tummy ache before performing. But in my brain and in my heart, I tell myself that once I begin singing, it will be fine, and I have learned to live with the anxiety and to push through.”

The nervousness that precedes each performance is a stark contrast to the calm and control she exudes while on stage. It’s a balancing act of facing fears and channeling them into powerful performances. Her commitment to this craft became especially evident during The Next 2023 singing competition. Jeryl chose to perform Imagine Dragons' "Believer" while standing on a platform more than 12 feet high. For someone terrified of heights, this was no small feat. “I was so scared,” she admits. “But once I started singing, everything else just faded away.” Her rendition, delivered from a position of genuine fear, captured the audience's hearts and won her the competition.

Jeryl’s ability to push through anxiety and conquer her fears extends beyond the stage. “Jeryl the performer is strong, powerful, confident. But Jeryl the person is quieter, smaller. I just don’t feel as strong as I do when I’m on stage. I feel most confident when I’m singing,” she explains. It is this juxtaposition between the poised performer and the quiet individual that makes Jeryl a compelling artist. Her work ethic and unyielding focus on her goals have made her a standout talent, always ready to push boundaries and grow.

Jeryl: The Performer

Beyond her achievements in music, Jeryl's relationship with her mother stands as a testament to the profound impact of unconditional love. The story begins even before Jeryl was born, when her mother, at 48 years old, made the extraordinary decision to adopt her. It was a choice that raised eyebrows among friends and family, who thought she and her husband were too old to take on the responsibilities of raising a child—at an age when most of their peers were becoming grandparents.

But Jeryl's mother has always led with her heart, defying conventional wisdom to follow what she knew was right. This same intuitive kindness would shape every aspect of Jeryl's upbringing, creating a foundation of love, empathy, and service to others that remains unshakeable to this day.

"My mother is the kindest, most humble person I know, and she has always tried to teach me to be the same," Jeryl shares, her eyes lighting up with obvious adoration. Her Instagram feed is peppered with heartfelt tributes to the woman who "gave [her] the courage to chase [her] dreams." A particularly moving Mother's Day post from 2021 reads: "Thank you for your company, thank you for taking care of me, thank you for teaching me to be a kind person, thank you for everything. Although sometimes I may disappoint you, you always treat me as a treasure, and you prove by action alone how much you care about me. I can't imagine what I'd be without you, so I hope you stay healthy and happy. I will learn to be a filial daughter and cherish you for the rest of my life."

A Mother's Daughter

The lessons of kindness and humility are woven into the very fabric of their relationship. Every Chinese New Year, her mother organizes visits to old folks' homes for Jeryl to perform—a tradition that serves as a reminder of the privilege and responsibility that comes with her gift. "My mother always tells me that no matter where I am in the world, no matter how famous or successful, I must always be kind, I must be humble and to do good."

It's a philosophy that extends beyond words. Through her mother's example, Jeryl has learned that true kindness isn't about grand gestures, but about the consistent choice to put others first. Whether it's spending time with elderly residents at nursing homes or using her platform to honor frontline workers—as she did with her 2020 release "Respect 1,000,000" during the Covid-19 pandemic—Jeryl carries forward her mother's legacy of selfless service.

The beautiful irony isn't lost on Jeryl: that the woman society deemed too old to raise a child has proven to be the most loving, selfless mother, shaping not just a successful artist but a compassionate human being. In every achievement, every performance, and every act of kindness, there are echoes of her mother's influence—a testament to the transformative power of love.

As our conversation draws to a close, it becomes clear that Jeryl Lee represents a new generation of artists who measure success not just in accolades, but in impact. Her journey from karaoke sessions to international stages is remarkable not just for its meteoric rise, but for the humility and grace with which she's navigated every challenge life has presented.

In an industry often criticised for its superficiality, Jeryl stands out for her authenticity and unwavering commitment to kindness—a proud tribute to both her upbringing and her personal convictions. As she continues to evolve as an artist and individual, one thing remains constant: her determination to remain true to herself while using her gift to bring joy to others.

And perhaps that's the most powerful legacy of all.

The Path Forward