Rising Star: The Journey of Kathy Tan Her Lin

At just 12 years old, Kathy Tan Her Lin has made a remarkable impact in both the music and fashion worlds. A Malaysian-Chinese-Vietnamese prodigy, Kathy is not only a verified music artist on Instagram, Facebook, and Spotify but also a rising star in Southeast Asia’s child modeling industry.

Kathy’s journey began when she was just eight years old, making history as the first Asian child model to win the prestigious Icon Award in 2021. This achievement set the stage for a successful career, but Kathy’s passions extended beyond modeling. Her love for music was evident from an early age, influenced by songs she heard on YouTube and the radio. By six years old, she performed her first Disney cover at the Little Miss World 2018 festival in Greece, earning her the Olympia Laurel Gold Medal.

Encouraged by her mother, Kathy continued to develop her music skills, recording covers such as A Million Dreams and Girl on Fire by age eight. Her love for K-pop, particularly inspired by groups like BTS and Blackpink, further fueled her dreams of creating original music.

In 2022, Kathy achieved a significant milestone by releasing her debut single, Say You Love Me, at the age of 10. The music video, filmed in Kuala Lumpur, showcased her collaboration with Malaysia’s top K-pop dance crew, Mad.G, marking her entry into the professional music scene.

The year 2024 brought an even bigger accomplishment for Kathy: signing with Universal Music Malaysia. At just 12, she became the youngest Asian artist to join the label. Her second single, Winter Dream, was featured on Universal Music Group Italy, solidifying her growing international presence.

Despite her success, Kathy remains humble and grounded. She credits her parents, especially her mother, for their constant support and motivation. Balancing her career with education and overcoming challenges such as online negativity, Kathy continues to thrive with determination and passion.

Looking ahead, Kathy’s goals include creating more music and making her family proud. Her message to young aspiring artists is clear: “Stay humble, practice, and never give up.” With her undeniable talent and hard work, Kathy Tan Her Lin is poised for even greater success.