Live Streamer Supercatkei on Parasocial Relationships, Burnout & The Journey to Internet Fame
Denise Teo (A.K.A Supercatkei) a Twitch livestreaming superstar gives us the sitch on gaming, parasocialism, and her rise to internet fame.
Denise Teo didn’t mean to become a live-stream star. In 2020, she joined Twitch and streamed her gaming session out of a desire to meet new people. Now – some 90K followers later – Supercatkei (her online moniker) is a full‑blown digital force, with fans tuning in to watch her not only game but also chat, play the guitar and sing. She has repped Singapore at TwitchCon, hit the red carpet to interview Tom Cruise and built a corner of the internet that feels more community than clout. But being perpetually online comes with its own kind of burnout. Together with Polo Ralph Lauren, F ZINE finds out from the 27‑year‑old about the emotional labour of being everyone’s internet comfort person, learning to log off and why passing it on is so important for her.
Denise Teo – better known as Supercatkei online – has gone from doing operations at start‑ups in New York to becoming one of Singapore’s top Twitch livestreamers and a brand name unto herself. For the uninitiated, Twitch began as a platform for gamers, but has since evolved into a major cultural space where creators stream everything from gameplay to music, talk shows and daily life. Some would credit her success to her down‑to‑earth, plucky and honest vibes, but there’s so much more to it. As the 27‑year‑old points out: “To thrive in this space, you need a strong sense of self and unshakeable values. The ability to stay grounded, maintain boundaries and navigate pressures is what truly separates those who endure from those who burn out.” Denise wears wool military jacket, wool‑blend sweater, cotton‑blend skirt, leather belt, Polo Play small leather bag, and canvas sneakers, Polo Ralph Lauren. Choker and socks, stylist’s own
HI, DENISE! LET’S REWIND A LITTLE: YOU WERE DOING START‑UPS IN NEW YORK BEFORE YOU FELL INTO LIVE STREAMING. HOW DID THAT ALL HAPPEN?
“I’ve always explored unconventional routes unintentionally. I never performed well in Singapore’s education system – I was a poor academic student, but I loved learning and trying new things. I participated and organised many events and activities throughout my school years, and I even had four co‑curricular activities at one point – I don’t recommend that! I believe my passion for learning led me to various opportunities, one being to build a start‑up in career development for youths.”
WHAT SURPRISED YOU MOST ABOUT MAKING THE SWITCH FROM DOING OPERATIONS AT START‑UPS TO LIVE STREAMING?
“The biggest surprise was how similar it felt to pursue two completely different careers: building a start‑up and becoming a livestreamer. The moment I realised I wanted to take live streaming full‑time, I applied the skills and experiences I had gained from working on start‑ups to building my team, community and online presence. It felt familiar because I treated my live‑streaming journey like a start‑up. I knew I had to take live streaming as a career seriously in order to make it both sustainable and meaningful.”
WHAT QUALITIES DO YOU THINK HAS ENDURED YOU TO SO MANY FANS?
“I truly fell into live streaming. It was my way of reconnecting with video gaming, a childhood passion, while meeting new people during the Covid‑19 pandemic lockdown. I genuinely had no expectations on becoming a full‑time livestreamer‑slash‑content creator. In my opinion, beyond being authentic, which I feel is an essential quality to becoming a streamer – anyone who is inauthentic to themselves may not make the distance – I’m not afraid to express vulnerability or curiosity. Because of this, I believe the viewers and community feel that they can relate to me much more; that I’m just like them, trying to figure things out in life.”
Denise wears denim vest, cotton T‑shirt, cotton‑blend jeans, assorted leather belts (each sold separately), Polo Play medium leather bag, and leather boots, Polo Ralph Lauren
IS BEING A LIVESTREAMER AS AWESOME AS IT SEEMS?
“Honestly, it is 100 per cent as awesome as it seems. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to represent Singapore around the world as a casual gamer and a livestreamer. It’s a privilege that I never take for granted.”
WHAT ARE SOME DRAWBACKS TO BEING A LIVESTREAMER THAT PEOPLE MAY NOT SEE?
“Live streaming is an incredibly demanding job with high emotional and personal risks. Most livestreamers commit to a minimum of three hours a day, but to really succeed, it often means going live for eight or more hours daily. Unlike pre‑recorded content, live streaming thrives on real‑time presence – each moment you’re offline can feel like a missed opportunity to grow your community or career. Beyond the screen, the toll is deeper. This line of work comes with physical, emotional and mental challenges. Being online and visible for long periods naturally exposes you to safety risks. I’ve experienced being stalked and doxxed – and some streamers globally have even been swatted (where someone falsely reports a serious crime to send armed police to a livestreamer’s location, often while they’re live). The constant visibility also fosters intense parasocial relationships. When you’re going live for hours on end and sharing your thoughts and life, some viewers start to believe they truly know you, or know what’s best for you.”
LIVE STREAMING – ESPECIALLY ON TWITCH – SEEMS TO DEPEND HEAVILY ON THE STREAMER’S PERSONALITY. DO YOU EVER FEEL LIKE YOU HAVE TO PERFORM A CERTAIN VERSION OF A “GAMER GIRL” FOR THE INTERNET, EVEN SUBCONSCIOUSLY?
“When I first started live‑streaming, I did face some resistance. At the time, streamers were almost expected to be loud, swear a lot and present a much larger‑than‑life persona. I remember people telling me I wouldn’t get very far because I was the opposite of that. And, yes, there were definitely moments along the way when I wondered, what if I tried those trends or content styles that I knew would get views or followers? Now, I’m truly grateful that I’ve stuck to my values. While my growth may have been slower than that of others, I’ve been able to be my authentic self and focus on projects I genuinely care about. I’ve also built a community that has grown with me through the different seasons of life. I believe that has only been possible because I’ve stayed true to who I am.”
TELL US MORE ABOUT THE EMOTIONAL LABOUR BEHIND LIVE STREAMING YOU WISH MORE PEOPLE KNEW ABOUT.
“One of the hardest things I’ve had to learn as a livestreamer is how not to let real‑time comments affect me. Receiving live‑stream comments is very different from reading comments on Instagram or TikTok, where you have the luxury of time to process them privately – or choose whether to respond at all. On stream, you’re reading them as you perform and sometimes, that means absorbing something really mean or deeply personal right in the middle of a sentence. In those few seconds, I have to decide how to react. Do I call it out? Do I ignore it? Do I try to defuse it with humour? Whatever I choose, I know it’s not just about my feelings. I’ll be judged by my reaction and it could shift the entire tone of the stream. That emotional juggling act takes a huge amount of self‑awareness and control, especially when it happens repeatedly. Viewers might not realise the weight of it because if I handle the situation well, most people wouldn’t even notice it happened. All they see is a smooth stream, not the micro‑battles I’ve just fought in my head.”
Denise wears cotton cardigan, matching blouse, cotton‑blend jeans, leather belt with metal buckle, Polo Play small suede bag, and leather boots, Polo Ralph Lauren. Choker, stylist’s own
YOU’VE BECOME SOMETHING OF A BIG SISTER FIGURE ONLINE, WITH VIEWERS OFTEN TURNING TO YOU FOR ADVICE. HOW DO YOU DRAW THE LINE BETWEEN BEING OPEN AND PROTECTING YOUR OWN SPACE?
“I set boundaries simply by making them known to my viewers and community, and thankfully, we’ve created a space that’s genuinely respectful and kind enough to uphold them. For example, when my live‑stream income was leaked online in 2021, my community respected my privacy immensely. They never demanded answers, but empathised with my situation and wanted to make sure I was okay, both mentally and emotionally. I never knew it was possible to receive that level of mutual respect from an online crowd.”
WHAT WOULD YOU SAY HAVE BEEN THE MOST MEMORABLE MOMENTS OF YOUR CAREER SO FAR?
“They include organising events for my community, which is really the core of why I do what I do. I planned the largest in‑person live‑stream community event in Singapore in 2022 just after Covid‑19 restrictions were lifted, which allowed people to finally put faces to Twitch usernames and forge real‑life friendships. I also host annual charity streams where, as a community, we raise funds for different causes. We’ve raised more than $40,000 for charity in the last four years of live streaming… I never expected our platform to make a real impact in this manner. Other highlights: being involved in projects that help put Singapore on the map. I’m always immensely grateful for the opportunity to represent Singapore at global gaming and live‑streaming events. When I started out, I didn’t really have anyone to look up to in this space, so I want aspiring streamers and creators to know that it is possible to dream big and shift the needle. I also love watching my community members grow. Some have been with me for years and I’ve journeyed with them as much as they’ve journeyed with me. I’ve seen them graduate, complete national service, get married, even have children. It’s an incredible feeling to be part of those moments – and all because of this online space we’ve built together.”
WE’VE SEEN GROWING REPORTS ABOUT THE RISE OF FEMALE PROFESSIONAL GAMERS IN ASIA. HAS THAT BEEN TRUE IN YOUR EXPERIENCE?
“Definitely – 45 per cent of gamers in Southeast Asia are women and gaming has evolved far beyond the old stereotype of being ‘just for boys’. In fact, many of the most successful streamers I know are women and I believe we’ll continue to shift the needle.”
Digital content creation varies across platforms, and live streaming is a particularly tricky one. Creators have to deal with a variety of comments coming in hard and fast in real time, and Teo often has to be calm and decisive on how to respond to mean‑spirited comments – a mental feat that requires immense control and self‑awareness. Denise wears cotton shirt, denim jeans, cotton cap, silk tie and Polo Play medium leather bag, Polo Ralph Lauren
HOW DO YOU THINK THE INCREASE IN FEMALE GAMERS IS INFLUENCING THE GAMING INDUSTRY?
“The rise of women in gaming has brought much‑needed representation to the space and you can feel that shift even in subtle ways. From video game skins (graphics that change the look of playable characters and weapons) to in‑game items, you’re starting to see design choices that clearly speak to female players. I mean, we’ve got Sabrina Carpenter skins in Fortnite and pastel cat‑fairy guns in Valorant. These might seem like small changes, but they signal something bigger: Women are being seen, heard, and considered in how games are made. Representation also runs deeper, as seen in how characters are written, the stories being told and how players connect with one another. Having more women in gaming challenges outdates the ideas of what a gamer looks like, or what kind of energy belongs in this space. As a female streamer, I’ve felt this shift open up space for different types of content. Not everything needs to be hyper‑competitive. Sometimes, it’s about community, creativity, or simply vibing with your viewers in a meaningful way. That said, there’s still progress to be made. Harassment and safety remain real concerns, especially in live streaming, where everything happens in real time. But the momentum is there and women aren’t just joining the gaming scene anymore. We’re helping to shape and lead it.”
BEYOND GAMING AND LIVE STREAMING, YOU’RE KNOWN FOR YOUR COVERS OF POPULAR SONGS AND YOU EVEN RELEASED YOUR OWN ORIGINAL TRACK, SAFE, IN 2021. WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO FINALLY WRITE AND RELEASE YOUR OWN MUSIC?
“My biggest childhood dream was to become a singer or musician. I’ve always imagined myself on stage, but I didn’t feel talented enough to pursue it seriously, so music remained a hobby. When I started live‑streaming, my viewers encouraged me to start singing, pushing me to pick up the guitar and perform cover songs – that’s actually how I first gained traction on Twitch. I wrote Safe unintentionally during an anxiety attack. The original lyrics were much darker, but I paused to consider what I’d like my listeners to feel. I rewrote it with that in mind and later performed it as part of a donation milestone during my annual charity stream. The response was overwhelming and my community has been holding me accountable to turn it into a full EP, which I’m hoping to launch either this month or next!”
Not content with her own success, Teo has made it a point to pay it forward. She has mentored various aspiring streamers, and hosts annual streams where she and other creators come together to raise money for various charities. So far, she says they have collectively raised more than $40,000 over the past four years. “When I started out, I didn’t really have anyone to look up to in this space, so I want aspiring streamers and creators to know that it is possible to dream big and shift the needle,” she says. Denise wears cotton jacket, satin slip dress and Polo Play small leather bag, Polo Ralph Lauren. Choker, stylist’s own
A GAME YOU’D RECOMMEND EVERYONE TRY – AND WHY?
“I’m a big multiplayer girl. I’ve always felt that games are best enjoyed with company. My top pick right now is Split Fiction – everyone needs to try it! It’s hands down one of the best multiplayer games out there. It blends different game modes – side‑scrolling, racing, FPS (first‑person shooter) and more – into a series of mini games, all tied together with a strong narrative. As someone who loves all kinds of games, it makes me so happy to experience everything in one title. Plus, I get to enjoy a great storyline with my husband!”
WHAT’S ONE GOAL YOU’RE CURRENTLY WORKING TOWARDS FOR YOURSELF?
“I’m learning to enjoy the process more and to be more present. This has been a struggle I’ve had for the longest time because I’m always trying to work towards the next thing. As I get older though, I realise just how important it is to appreciate the entire process and to enjoy it with my family, friends and team.”
AND FINALLY, WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE WORDS STARTING WITH “F”?
“‘Followers’, ‘focus’, ‘fulfilment’ and ‘faith’”
THIS INTERVIEW HAS BEEN EDITED FOR BREVITY AND CLARITY.
PHOTOGRAPHY STEFAN KHOO STYLING DAMIAN HUANG & PANG JIA WEI PHOTOGRAPHY ASSISTANT SOLENN ROBERT WARDROBE ASSISTANT CHRISTINA GRACE LAI HAIR EC TAN/KIZUKI + LIM MAKEUP KEITH BRYANT LEE