Lilly Singh shows how to be a ‘Bawse’ in new book

She may be one of the most popular Internet stars today but YouTube star Lilly Singh believes people have the wrong notion that digital space is an easy route to being ‘rich and famous’. With 11 million subscribers to her credit, Lilly is one of the highest-earning stars on the video streaming website. 

Her videos, often a witty take on topical issues, have featured celebrities like Dwayne Johnson, Michelle Obama and Priyanka Chopra. Lilly, currently in India to promote her book How to be a Bawse: A Guide to Conquering, believes nothing can replace old-fashioned hard work when it comes to achieving one’s dreams. “Digital space is great to have your voice but you need to have an opinion. It has definitely given voice to those who could not be heard before. But I don’t encourage people to make YouTube videos just to be rich and famous. Some people perceive that it is easy. It is not. You must be dedicated, perceptive and have a good work ethic. It is a great medium if you are passionate about what you want to say. Do it for the right reasons,” says Singh. 

She has taken this thought forward in her book, which she says, is a kind of self-help guide that can be referenced in real-life situations. “The message that I want my readers to take away from the book is the art of hard work, especially the younger generation. They feel they are entitled to success. We are in this age where lot of quotes are thrown at as about how special and wonderful we are. This is great but what about working for your dreams?  That’s what the book is about, old fashioned hard work.” 

Writing has been a different experience for Singh who leaves viewers in splits through the videos she releases every week. “While writing for YouTube, I have to take into account of how long a video will be, if people are still paying attention, and if  punchlines are in the right places. With my book, I knew that my face wouldn’t be on the screen and people wouldn’t have to physically  see me, so it was a different type of storytelling,” she adds.  Lilly shares it was both challenging and humbling to write about her struggle. “The ‘Out of the Blue’ chapters were very difficult to write. However, they were essential. I want people who look up to me to know that I’ve been through difficult times just like everybody else and this is what I did to get out of it. When I read them, they remind me of when I was a totally different person.” 

Comedy seems to be the tool for youngsters to communicate these days and it has given birth to the new-age celebrity of digital stars and stand-up comedians. Lilly feels humour is a great way to deal with thorny issues. “Comedy is a great way to discuss things that are hard to  talk about. If I want to talk about an issue, comedy is a great vehicle for that. It is light-hearted, easy to digest and people get just a little bit offended. They are more likely to remember what you are trying to say,” she says. 

Though Internet has also given rise to people who love to be easily offended about things, Lilly says that does not stop her from challenging stereotypes. Her most  popular videos are the ones where she talks about Indian parents, including hers, who she says, enjoy her shows and videos. “When I first started, I did not really tell them. They just found out from relatives. They did not get the whole Internet thing but they were supportive. Now, they have seen my videos and they love what I do. They know that the characters are not really them,” she finishes.