Curley Gao, Chinese Pop Star, Revisits Singapore Roots After Six Years
Singapore – Chinese singer Curley Gao, also known as xilinnayi Gao, recently made a nostalgic return to Singapore after six years, sparking excitement among fans and locals alike. The 26-year-old,who rose to fame after winning Produce Camp 2020 and debuting with BonBon Girls 303,documented her trip in a vlog posted on her Weibo profile on Friday,feb. 21, offering a glimpse into her personal connection with the city-state.
Gao, who spent her formative years in Singapore, took the prospect to revisit familiar haunts and reconnect with friends.Her journey through the heartlands resonated deeply with those who remember her time as a student in local schools.
A Singlish Welcome and Heartland Memories
The vlog began with Gao declaring, This vlog is going to be wholly in Singlish,
showcasing her fluency in the local vernacular. This immediately set a casual and relatable tone for her exploration of Singaporean locales.
Curley Gao’s connection to Singapore runs deep. She moved to Singapore with her parents at the age of nine, attending Macpherson Primary School and later, Dunman High School.Her educational journey eventually lead her to the Berklee College of Music in the United States, but her Singaporean roots remain a notable part of her identity.
Causeway Point and Reunions
The first stop on Gao’s trip was Causeway Point, where she met up with May, a friend from her secondary school days. The mall held a special significance for Gao, who remarked, Every single shop here is a memory.
The area near the mall’s entrance was especially evocative, triggering a flood of recollections.
The two friends shared a meal of pho at Woods square, during which Gao revealed that this was her first time back in Singapore after six years, highlighting the emotional weight of the visit.
Bugis Junction: The Spark of a Dream
From Woodlands, Gao traveled via MRT to bugis, a location that holds a pivotal place in her career aspirations. At Bugis Junction, she recounted her first audition in 2016 for the Chinese singing competition, Sing! China season 1.
This is like where [my] dream started and all… I remember memorising lyrics as I was queuing, because I only knew how to hum the song,
Gao shared, lapsing into Mandarin.although she didn’t pass the audition that year,she persevered and auditioned again in 2017,making it to the final showdown performances before being eliminated. This early experience clearly shaped her determination and fueled her pursuit of a singing career.
Dunman High School and Familiar Surroundings
After purchasing Milo Nuggets, a favorite snack, Gao took the MRT to Mountbatten station and strolled around the area near Dunman High School. Nothing has changed,
she observed, noting the enduring familiarity of the neighborhood.
She reminisced about school regulations, saying, I remembered in secondary school, the length of our skirt must not be more than a two-finger spacing above the knee. The discipline master would really inspect us to see if our skirts are too short.
This anecdote provided a humorous glimpse into the strict surroundings of her school days.
Before visiting her alma mater, Gao made a detour to a nearby McDonald’s for fries, declaring, It’s really better than anywhere else and it’s crispy.
This simple pleasure from her childhood clearly held a special place in her heart.
along the way,she pointed out familiar landmarks,including two convenience stores at gas stations near her home and the Katong Community Center. She also shared her volunteer experience at the Katong Community Centre, saying, What’s special about this place is that I used to volunteer for the Minds community.
Minds refers to the Movement for the Intellectually Disabled of Singapore.
I used to volunteer for like two or three weeks, I came here every weekend and spent time with the mentally-disabled kids. They are literally angels, I loved my time here,
Curley shared, revealing a compassionate side and a commitment to community service.
Reconnecting at Dunman High School
At Dunman high School, Gao recalled taking the National Physical Fitness Award (NAPFA) test and visited the school canteen, recognizing the drinks stall tenants. She bought a drink and insisted on paying, saying, No, it’s okay, we want to pay, I haven’t paid in Singapore dollars for a long time.
Gao was recognized by several students who requested photos with her. In one encounter, a student approached her, saying she looked familiar. When Gao confirmed her identity, the student and her friend exclaimed, Really! You are so pretty!
before taking photos together.
Gao also visited classrooms and reconnected with her teacher, who gave her a hug and praised her success. She also met with the school’s Vice-principal Puah You Kai, who asked, So your Mandarin learning in our school, is it useful?
Gao affirmed the value of her education at Dunman High school, stating, To learn mandarin in Dunman High school played an crucial part in making me who I am today.
A Meaningful Return
Curley Gao’s return to Singapore was more than just a trip down memory lane; it was a reaffirmation of her roots and the experiences that shaped her into the artist she is today. Her vlog provided a personal and intimate look at her connection to Singapore, resonating with fans and locals alike.
Headline: Curley Gao’s nostalgic Return to Singapore: Exploring Her Enduring Connection to the City-State
Opening Thought: How Often Does a Star’s Journey Rekindle a Global Fanbase’s Passion? Curley Gao’s Recent Visit to Singapore Marks a Deep Dive into Her Moast Cherished Roots.
An Interview with Dr. Aria Chen, cultural Anthropologist and Expert on Asian Pop culture
Q1: Curley Gao’s journey back to Singapore after six years has captured the hearts of many. What does her return signify in the context of maintaining cultural identity, especially for individuals who rise to fame abroad?
Dr. Aria Chen: Curley Gao’s return to Singapore is a heartfelt reaffirmation of her roots and cultural identity.For many who gain international fame, revisiting their hometown isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a way to reconnect with their past and the foundational values that shaped them. In the case of Curley Gao, her trip highlights the enduring bond with her Singaporean heritage, despite her global career. This kind of journey can serve as a bridge, bringing together her international audience and local fans, who collectively celebrate her humble beginnings and her success story.
Maintaining one’s cultural identity amidst a global career is crucial. For instance, celebrities like Jackie Chan or Jackie Chan, who have embraced their cultural background—be it through language, accents, or thematic elements in their work—often achieve a deeper resonance with audiences worldwide. This blend of global presence with local identity creates a global appeal while honoring personal and cultural history.
Q2: Throughout her visit, Gao emphasized landmarks and experiences from her childhood, such as her time studying music at Berklee and volunteering. How might these experiences tie into her personal and professional growth?
Dr. Aria Chen: Curley Gao’s formative experiences in Singapore, such as her education and community service, have undeniably shaped her personal and professional journey. by highlighting these milestones in her vlog, she emphasizes their intrinsic value and how they’ve contributed to her multifaceted identity.
Education at institutions like berklee College of Music provided Gao with a foundation in musical excellence and discipline critical for her career. Together, her volunteering at the Katong Community Center underscores her commitment to giving back to the community, a trait resonating with many followers. These experiences are key in developing empathy, resilience, and a sense of duty—traits that define both her personal ethos and artistic approach.
When public figures like Gao share these personal narratives, they encourage others to cherish and uphold their own foundational experiences, understanding that these elements often contribute considerably to their success and character.
Q3: Singapore has played a pivotal role in fostering many young talents. Can you discuss what aspects of Singapore, as highlighted by Gao’s trip, continue to make it an influential backdrop for nurturing artists?
Dr. Aria Chen: Singapore remains an influential hub for nurturing talent due to its unique blend of cultural diversity, world-class education, and a vibrant arts community. The city-state’s educational system, exemplified by institutions such as Dunman High School and specialized arts schools, encourages self-expression and academic excellence. This environment cultivates creativity and resilience, especially evident in Gao’s reflections during her visit.
Furthermore, Singapore’s cultural tapestry offers a rich milieu for artists to draw inspiration from, with spaces that provide platforms for collaboration and exposure to diverse audiences. Gao’s experiences in familiar locales like Causeway Point and Bugis Junction reveal how these everyday environments can ignite and sustain artistic dreams,acting as consistent sources of inspiration and motivation.
For others raised in or connected to Singapore, these spatial narratives underscore the city’s role—not just as a geographical setting, but as a significant character in the story of their development.
Q4: How does Gao’s multicultural background and multilingualism influence her music and connection with diverse audiences?
Dr. Aria Chen: Multilingualism and a multicultural upbringing provide Curley Gao with a versatile palette from which she can draw when crafting her music. Her ability to express herself in Mandarin, English, and Singlish enables her to connect authentically with a broad audience, each segment finding something familiar and relatable in her work. This linguistic dexterity allows Gao to transcend cultural and language barriers, uniting people across different backgrounds.
Music is a universal language, and artists like Gao, who incorporate multiple tongues and cultural influences into their music, enrich the tapestry of global pop culture. This approach resonates with multilingual and multicultural audiences, who see their narratives and experiences reflected in her artistry. It’s a testament to how embracing diverse identities can strengthen an artist’s universality while celebrating their unique origins.
Q5: In the ever-evolving landscape of pop culture, how can the stories of artists like Gao inspire emerging talents and fans around the world?
Dr. Aria Chen: Stories like curley Gao’s provide emerging talents with a blueprint for success rooted in authenticity and perseverance. Her journey underscores the importance of staying true to one’s roots while striving for global recognition.Gao’s story is particularly inspiring as it illustrates the power of resilience—her initial setbacks in music competitions did not deter her; instead, they fueled her determination to succeed.
For fans and aspiring artists, Gao’s return to Singapore serves as a reminder that one’s beginnings do not constrain their future but rather inform and enrich it.Embracing one’s heritage and experiences can create a distinctive voice and artistry that resonates universally, amplifying personal narratives on a global scale.
Emerging talents are encouraged to value their unique backgrounds and leverage their distinct experiences, much like Gao, to connect with audiences on a deeper level.
Closing Thoughts: Curley Gao’s journey back to Singapore is a poignant reminder of the enduring bond between cultural roots and personal identity. As her story continues to inspire, it highlights the timeless interplay between heritage and ambition. Readers, what aspects of Curley Gao’s return do you find most inspiring? Share your thoughts in the comments below or on social media.