Daiyan Trisha has had a lot going for her in the past year. She released her first book, Tulisan by Daiyan Trisha, launched a few songs, had multiple brand endorsements, and has just released her first sophomore album, Lovelorn. Oh, and she also turned 30 last December. 2024 has definitely been her year, and she knows it.
But nearly every modern woman has an innate fear of turning 30—we have long been plagued with the notion that a woman’s life stops at that 30, that we cease to become “used goods” and every single part of your body starts to sag and age. It has only been in the past few years that we are reclaiming our 30s as a new lease of life. It’s a different era now, especially when millennials don’t even look their age. Now, a woman’s 30s is when things actually start to look up. Daiyan herself has similar thoughts.
Dolled up in luxurious gowns from The Ivory, we sat down with Daiyan a while back for a little life catch-up. “I love dressing up, I really do,” she gushed. “It makes me feel as though I can take over the world. That said, it doesn’t mean you can’t do it if you’re not completely dolled up. I think females can relate to this—there’s just something so empowering about feeling good about everything. I love being made up. It’s something that I won’t deny enjoying; getting my makeup and hair done, putting on a nice dress like this one from The Ivory. For me—I can’t say for the rest—I will never deny my love for being camera-ready. I love it.”
Then, our conversation took a more serious turn. “When I was in my mid-20s, I couldn’t wait to get to my 30s,” she said. “There was the general fear of women turning 30 and not being in a relationship or still unmarried—you know, the things that are expected of a woman? But I was excited, actually. Turning 30 to me feels like such a great restart. My 20s felt like a rehearsal for what I was about to do with my life—now, I feel so much more ready to do things and become a better version of myself. It’s a new beginning to really explore who you are as a person. Because in your 20s, you were exploring but still unsure of things. When you get to 30, you’re at least a bit sure of who you are, what you like, and what you don’t like.”
And how do you feel now that you’re in your 30s? What do you think you won’t be so accepting of now, as compared to when you were in your 20s?
There’s a lot of self-awareness and reflection now. I feel like boundaries were something I learned so much of in my 20s; basically, to set stricter boundaries towards people—acquaintances and friends. When I turned 30, it came with more solid courage to stick to my boundaries. For me, that’s something that comes with age. Younger people these days learn to set their boundaries really early in life. But for me, it was a personal journey and once I turned 30, it was much easier for me to say no.
Was it a gradual turning point for you, or did it feel like an overnight thing?
It was a gradual turning point for me, definitely. When I was younger, even when I didn’t want to do things, I would sway easily and accept defeat. This year, I told myself no more. It’s just a direct no, I don’t feel like doing that, or I’m not comfortable doing it. I’d rather do something else. It’s very liberating now to say no. I think it’s ironic that when I did so many things back then even though it felt forced, people would think that I’m living the life—but the fact is, when I say no now, I’m living my life.
You know how we’d say, like, when you’re younger, you’re more fearless, and you’re not so afraid to try new things? Now that you’re 30, do you feel as though you’ve lost that fearlessness and want something more stable? Or do you think that turning 30 gives you a different sort of fearlessness?
I get that fearless, youthful energy in my 20s, and I feel that’s important to have at the beginning of any new era in your life. At some points in my 20s, I get the fear more. But when I turned 30, everything seemed like it was packed away and I was ready to start anew. I still have that fearlessness now, but it comes with confidence—I have my experience and connections to back me up. I have years of skills and practice to back me up.
You’ve done a lot as well this past year; you’re acting, singing, published a book, and now you have Lovelorn, your new album. Would this new era be you trying out more new things, or strengthening what you’ve already put out there?
It’s strengthening what I’ve already put out. I will never stop trying new things because I feel like my personality demands me to always branch out to any field of art. I will always try a new thing if it’s art-related. My 20s was a rehearsal and my 30s will be solidifying everything that I have been doing. It could be having more time to prep my music, or if I accept an acting role, I might request for a few more months to prepare for it. So, yes, solidifying and strengthening my skills.
You’ve tried so many different facets of art—which feels more the most “Daiyan”?
I like to think it’s music because that was where I started. Music and writing always came hand in hand for me because I’m a songwriter first before I write anything else, like poetry, so that is always home to me. Hence why now, when I turned 30, feels like the beginning of everything that I’ve been doing. Lovelorn is my second album—I released my first in 2019—and if you listen to it, you will find a huge difference. It’s still alternative pop, but it’s just more…me. The second album is more confident, it’s more “me” in its entirety. I want my audience to also feel as though I’m growing with them.
Speaking of your new album, can you tell us more about it?
Yes, of course! This new album is called Lovelorn. For me, every artist needs a heartbreak album, and this is mine. It’s all about the ups and downs of being in a relationship, love, getting heartbroken, the emotions that come with heartbreak, being disappointed, frustrated, happy in love and out of love. It encapsulates who I am as an artist.
Was there any particular song in this album that spoke to you the most?
All of the songs are something that I would hope to create a connection and relatability with all my listeners. But if I have to choose one song that represents the album, or what I have been feeling as a single woman in my 30s, is definitely “Lovelorn” the track.
How do you want your fans to feel after listening to the album?
I want them to cry. I really do.
I want them to cry, and feel. I have this funny story—I played this one song to my manager Anita. She’s happily married and in love—she listened to the song and I was looking down, waiting for her to finish listening. When I looked up, she was bawling her eyes out. She said, “Oh my god, what is this Daiyan? I’m so happy right now with my husband, but listening to this makes me remember all the moments I went through, so I feel what you felt with the lyrics in the song.”
I said, Great! I want them to feel like what you’re feeling right now. If that happens, I’m sorry that you cried, but I wanted that to happen.
Are there any artistic pursuits that you would love to explore, that you haven’t yet?
Probably directing. I might try that in the near future; at least, direct my own music videos. Start with that, and then start writing stories for TV. I think it’s something that I could smoothly blend into.
As a female artist, especially in Malaysia, do you feel like you have a responsibility to pave the way for future female artists and also your fans, especially now that you’re in your 30s?
I don’t go day by day trying to be someone who has to pave the way, but I try to do things meaningfully. People sometimes say that I’ve made it, but I’m still an indie artist in Malaysia. Why? Because I write in English. We don’t have that many local indie artists who sing in English who have really made it; to national TV, and who go on tour. It’s not celebrated enough. I feel like I am the most mainstream for an indie artist who sings in English, do you get what I mean? So sometimes I think, maybe, I can pave the way for younger singer-songwriters who write in English. I want to expand that market. We have people who listen to English music like Taylor Swift and Sabrina Carpenter, so I’m confused as to why we’re still not celebrating local English singer-songwriters. I feel like there needs to be more visibility on Malaysian singers who sing in English. I don’t want to be a hero. I just want to be able to do what I do and make sure that other people who want to do the same thing are seen.
The Ivory is a Singaporean-based brand specialising in designer couture gowns and ready-to-wear wedding dresses. Their Kuala Lumpur boutique is located at The MET Corporate Towers in Mont Kiara. Book an appointment with them here.
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Photography: Chuan Looi
Creative Direction: Ian Loh
Hair: Cody Chua
Makeup: Sharman Yee
Styling: Sarah Chong
Art Direction: Shane Rohaizad
Models: Sebastian Comann / WU Models, Kris Lim / WU Models, Bruno Santana / Icon Models KL