Could Daisy Anne Mitchell Know Singaporeans Better Than We Know Ourselves?

DAISY ANNE MITCHELL, 26, CONTENT CREATOR AND FREELANCE PERFORMER 

TikTok account: @daizamazze

Started on TikTok: “I scrolled all the way back for this answer! My first post was on June 6, 2020, and it was a video of a car on the ECP highway that was on fire. I didn’t actually start making content until 2021.”

TikTok stats as of press time: 81K followers, 3.4M likes

Why know her: If you ask us, there is no one more authentic a “Singapore woman” than her. Smart, bold, eloquent, funny and relatable all at the same time, this British-born PR who’s grown up here since she was five just always gets it right in her engaging POV videos whether it’s about student life, how locals code switch or some other everyday experience on our sunny island. And she’s not doing it just for laughs or entertainment: Content such as her series on pay transparency in which she shares how much she makes each month in a bid to shed light on life as a freelance creative further cements her as the big sis BFF that we never knew we needed. Now, how long more until she gets her citizenship? 

Her background and how it’s shaped her content: “My content is very much driven by the unique perspectives I have on life that have manifested through being a third culture kid. My parents migrated here when I was five years old and I was almost immediately put into the local education system. This meant I assimilated into local culture early on in life, but still remain very attached to my British heritage. This shows up in many ways on my TikTok page, but I get associated with some things more than others.

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For one, I’m most known for being a ‘Singapore Woman’ (the term is part of her username). I’m not Singaporean by nationality, but am very much Singaporean at heart. I have several ongoing series that are inspired by my identity: Quest for Citizenship, Kopi Chronicles, and TikTok Made Me Try It, for example. These are all lighthearted, entertaining videos that showcase local culture and how I show up in it, and very relatable to many markets. Local young adults, tourists coming to Singapore, expat families here, and third culture kids and Singaporeans who live overseas make up my main audience pool. In the past year or so, I’ve made it a point to move away from skits and scripted content, and pivot into content that is an extension of who I am, in a more candid vlog-style.” 

So how much of her TikTok personality is true? “My TikTok personality is more a performance of myself: a slightly more switched-on version of who I really am.”

And how much of her content is authentic? “I think everyone chooses to which degree they show up authentically online, and I am definitely on the extreme side of ‘honest’ and actively choose to share my opinions against someone problematic, or share a negative experience I’ve had with a brand or client. I am always respectful though, and there is always an educational aspect to these videos. I get told ‘You’re so brave’ by other creators for doing so, but my question in response is always, ‘Why are you scared?’”

Her best talent: “My sense of humour!” 

Her main goal as a content creator: “Empowerment – empowering a person to speak his or her truth; empowering people to explore Singapore, try new things, and travel; empowering someone to be confident and unapologetic about who they are; empowering creators to stand by their work and not succumb to the pressures that come from big corporations; and empowering influencers to be honest and unafraid when speaking their truth.” 

How TikTok has helped her to nurture her creative talent: “Where do I begin? TikTok has given me a whole new creative outlet that I never imagined would become my career. I’ve had opportunities to work with brands I’ve been a longtime fan and consumer of. I’ve met incredible people who have become some of my closest friends and now have the opportunity to be hired for my ‘likeness’, hosting events or series for companies and clients because they have seen my content and like my energy. I’ve been invited on podcasts to dive further into my thoughts and opinions that I share only briefly on my page. It’s insane!”

What’s a day in her life like: “Every day is different, which I love! What I keep consistent in my daily routine: First, I make sure I move my body, whether that’s through yoga, running or going to my neighbourhood BFT (Body Fit Training studio). Then, I’ll do some sort of content work – this could be replying to emails, ideating for my page or working with my corporate clients. And thirdly, I sing – be it in the shower, on TikTok Live, during a vocal session with my coach, or in a musical for work. I sing every day!”

Number of hours she spends on her phone daily: “Three to eight hours depending on whether I’m editing or not. Of this, I spend about two hours on TikTok doom scrolling: one hour in the morning and one at night.”

Craziest experience she’s had as a TikTok content creator: “Being recognised in public! I don’t think I’ll ever get used to it, but I love finding out where or what people know me from, or associate me with.”

Most memorable comment she’s received on TikTok: “‘That’s rich coming from someone whose hair looks like a Brillo-pad.’ Google what a Brillo pad is. I can’t even get mad because she isn’t wrong.”

Best thing about TikTok: “You can laugh, cry, learn, empathise, discover, enjoy, and relate all at one go.”

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Worst thing about tiktok: “That you can laugh, cry, learn, empathise, discover, enjoy, and relate all at one go. Take a break!”

Her favourite TikTok accounts: “Local creators who are not in this feature, but whom I love: Rachel Clare Chan (@hyperachel), a Singapore actress who shares about her life performing on the West End; Lim Shi-An (actress and daughter of industry veterans Tan Kheng Hua and Lim Yu-Beng who’s TikTok handle is @shiiiannn0) – I love her energy and how she shares about her life and family online; and lastly, Caitanya Tan (@caitofalltraits), who blew up on TikTok this year for her educational and entertaining content revolving around voice work and emceeing.”

Is she active on other social media platforms too? “For a long time, I wanted to only do TikTok and leave my Instagram as my personal page, but this year I decided to pivot my Instagram and start posting on it content for content creators. It took me three years of making mistakes, bad deals and undervaluing my work and influence before getting to where I am now with my online branding. I share about real-life experiences such as client negotiations, brand conversions, situations in which I failed, situations in which the client failed et cetera, as well as content that people can put into practice for themselves. I’m passionate about helping other content creators thrive by sharing about my mistakes and successes so that they can learn from my experience.”

If there was no TikTok: “There would be no Singapore Woman.”

THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR CLARITY AND BREVITY.

COORDINATION EMMA ASHLEE GOH PHOTOGRAPHY ATHIRAH ANNISSA STYLING DAMIAN HUANG, ASSISTED BY DANESSA TONG HAIR & MAKEUP KEITH BRYANT LEE, USING NARS & OUAI

This article first appeared in the June 2024 TikTok Edition of FEMALE