The hottest celebrity currently touring Asia isn't a K-pop star, but a selfie stick-loving social media sensation renowned for minting some of the Internet's most catchy phrases. You've probably encountered terms like 'doll check-in', 'Met Gala behaviour', and the latest addition "Please Lah Siaaah" on your feed, and caught wind of her coquettish, sing-song vibe. Behind these viral creations is Devin Halbal, who spent last weekend delighting fans in Singapore – most of them young – at meet-ups in Sentosa and the Museum of Ice Cream. Her next stops: Malaysia, Kazakhstan, the Philippines, and Thailand.
WHO IS KUDASAI GIRL?
Halbal, known as @hal.baddie on TikTok, originally hails from the Bronx, New York City, and identifies as a trans woman. In an interview with W, she disclosed how she had to "leave my family and find safe housing to prioritise my mental health" during the pandemic.
Eventually, she relocated abroad and embraced the life of a digital nomad slash travel vlogger, journeying through countries such as Turkey, Denmark, and Greece. Throughout this adventure, she kept up with check-ins and shared glimpses of her life on social media.
Singapore fans of Devin Halbal queued up for their turn at Sentosa's Palawan Beach to have a photo opportunity with the social media star.
HOW DID THE 'KUDASAI' PHENOMENON ORIGINATE?
To begin with, "kudasai" literally translates to "may I please have." Devin picked up this term during her Japan trip to the city of Kurashiki in January, and it stuck in her mind and on her lips for its catchy sound. Naturally, it caught on among her fans on TikTok and Instagram, where she has amassed over 1.2 million followers.
WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THESE SOCIAL MEDIA MANTRAS, ANYWAY?
These catchphrases often reflect her humour, creativity, and ability to encapsulate current trends or emotions, thereby amplifying her influence and presence in online communities. For instance, the term "doll check-in" serves as a rallying call for her fellow trans girls, providing them with a means to engage with her content – whether through comments, shares, or other forms of interaction with her online presence.
HOW DID SHE BECOME A POP CULTURE ICON FOR THE NEW GENERATION?
She rose to pop culture icon status through her fearless attitude and positive influence, and ability to connect with diverse communities. Her relatability shines through; she effortlessly styles normcore like the girl next door. Ironically, the fashion world has embraced her, with figures like Bella Hadid, Alex Consani, and Jonathan Anderson of Loewe following her closely. In fact, Loewe even invited her to Ibiza in 2022.
Ahead, we caught up with fans who were in the crowd at the fan meet on June 15 at Palawan Green in Sentosa to gain insight into the new generation of Halbal enthusiasts and hear their thoughts.
AFREEN FHAMI, 21, FRESH GRADUATE
Why is Devin made for the moment? "Her spontaneous and carefree approach to life inspires those rewriting their own narratives. The comment section reveals that some people are not ready to accept those who don’t necessarily fit society’s status quo. Being a true ordinary girl with an extraordinary heart makes her the icon and mother figure she is for her followers."
What has Devin taught you about style and self-expression? "Become so adept at being comfortable in your own skin that no one can ever take that away from you."
ASHLEY LOH, 19, STUDENT
You mentioned that Devin inspired you to be more confident. Can you elaborate? "Being hyper self-aware from a young age has naturally made me quiet and awkward. However, seeing Devin travel the world, confidently strutting the streets and doing her own thing, has made me realize that I should stop hesitating and start living my life as if I'm the main character."
Why is she an icon to you? "She effortlessly radiates positivity, truly embodying the essence of an It-girl-kudasai."
FEESH FENG, 20, STUDENT
Do you see Devin as a pop culture icon? "Absolutely. The turnout of people eager to be in her presence speaks volumes. Even when time passes, she will always remain iconic."
What is your favourite characteristic of Devin? "My favourite thing about Devin is her overall vibe. I adore her style and how she travels from country to country, spreading joy everywhere she goes."
MILA LUBRATICH, 20, STUDENT
Why do you admire Devin? "I find Devin's bold and vibrant personality both entertaining and refreshing. Moreover, she's incredibly humble and considerate; for instance, at the meet and greet, she made every effort to take photos with as many people as she could.
What makes Devin iconic? "Everything about her, but particularly her fearlessness in being true to herself, despite facing criticism, is incredibly iconic and inspiring."
BETHANY FENG, 22, STUDENT
What inspired you to become a fan of Devin? "Seeing her pop up on my FYP brings me a lot of joy. Her bright personality always brightens my day. It's uplifting to witness someone pursue their passions and bring happiness to others in the process."
Could you share more about your gift for Devin? "I spend much of my free time decorating top loaders for trading cards. I even ran an Etsy business creating custom designs for a few months. So, I felt it was fitting to gift her one as a welcome gesture to Singapore. While I didn't hand it to her directly, I passed it to someone on her team. Hopefully, it reached her."
EM WAZOWSKI, 20, STUDENT
Why are you a fan of Devin? "She exudes confidence and seems to embody it despite negative comments on her socials not seeming to affect her. Sometimes, she cracks me up with her humour. I also admire how unique she is. Even though I don't know her personally, her social media presence radiates such positive energy that it brightens my day."
Why do you believe Devin is well-suited for today's Internet culture? "She's serving confidence, she slays, and her uniqueness fits well with Internet culture, even though it might not appeal to everyone, especially in Singapore's media. And that's okay. Through her content, she attracts open-minded individuals, fans of quirky interests like 'floptropica,' and the queer community. She may not be a conventional celebrity, but that's what makes her iconic, intriguing, and funny, such as her selfie stick length."