BAZAAR Power List 2023: Xixi Lim

This year, we celebrate Singapore’s comedy queens and funny girls who have captured our hearts, tickled our ribs and got us thinking and reflecting on ourselves and society at large. Whether it’s through stand-up, sketches, or film, these funny girls have the courage, flair and smarts to not only succeed in the world of comedy, but to also thrive in it. Meet Xixi Lim, a 35-year-old actor, host and personality.

When did you first discover that you had the gift of making someone laugh and what did you do with that discovery?

Whenever I spoke, or whenever I did a presentation in front of the class, even when I was being very serious, everyone was laughing. And when I'm on stage as well, I tell people, 'Okay, I'm going to tell you a very serious message.' The moment I say the words 'a very serious message,' everybody starts laughing. I guess it's how I deliver the message.

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Also it's some of my facial expressions. People ask, 'How can this person be so animated?" But this is how I react to things. I guess that's how I realised that people around me were always very happy. They were always laughing. And I enjoy that. Because I see them laughing till they tear or are like smacking the table and I feel good because I feel that they are having a good time.

Comedy is powerful because...

Comedy is powerful because it makes you forget you're having a bad day. Most of the time, we are always living in such a high stress, fast-paced environment in Singapore. And sometimes we just really want to sit down and have a good laugh. After a good laugh, you're like, 'Okay, can.' Personally I feel a bit recharged. Every day in an office, or every day in your daily life, it's always so serious, so mundane, so slow. It's not gonna give you that kick. And generally you need to go for that extra boost, or that last few steps to end your day perfectly. That's the reason why sometimes after a long day, you want to have a good time, and you want to laugh. So I know that comedy is always a great way to start [and end] your day.

Over the years, how have you honed your comedy skills and what have you discovered about how your mind works?

My trick is being very organic. And sharing my personal thoughts very quickly, but also in a very friendly manner. So even if sometimes, when I'm on stage, I make a mistake, I will think of a way to admit my mistake in a very comedic way [so] that people will remember me , remember that moment, and not put me at fault. They will feel that the situation is funny, and I'm only human. They're more forgiving like that. I react very fast. When you show me something, I'll be like, 'Oh, it's just me. It's just my two cents worth of thoughts.' And sometimes I will just think out loud, and people might find it funny.

What are the challenges in making comedy a career, and in that sense, treating it as a business?

People will always find that you're not funny enough. And sometimes you question yourself, 'Am I funny enough?' Sometimes, for example, when I go for casting or when I want to submit my portfolio for certain bigger brands, or for a bigger role, people might stereotype you. 'Oh, she's a comedian. I don't think she's suitable.' Because they're never seen the other side of me. 'Oh yeah, she's very funny. She's never serious.' So if you want to cast for a serious character, people just put my name aside, like 'Oh, Xixi. She's funny.' And I don't want to just be funny. So I guess that's the challenge that I face every day.

What is your proudest achievement or accomplishment to date?

A lot of people doubted me being able to create a career by being me. When I first told my family and friends that I wanted to be an actress, they found it funny. They laughed and I went, 'What's so funny?' I really wanted to be an actress. I was a child star for a while. I decided that I really loved this industry so much, and that I had a flair for it, and I wanted to try it again.

And my parents said, 'This is the look that they're looking for. And unfortunately, you don't fall under that look, but it's okay, you can always do something else.' But I felt that this was a challenge that I wanted to face. I wanted to show people that, even being different or being me, I could still create a career for myself. If people can see the good in me, perhaps I can forge another path for the younger generation. I want them to think, 'If Xixi is doing it, so can I.'

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Is there anything you won’t joke about?

Oh, we don't joke about religion, race... those very sensitive topics. And we don't joke about people's emotions.

Who or what makes you laugh?

I find joy in everything I do. I find joy in every person I meet. If I feel that a person is very negative, I try to give them a ray of positivity or shine a real positive light. Because I want this person, or whoever interacts with me, to know that 'Hey, life isn't really that bad.'

What does power look like to you?

Power is when you have a voice and your voice can be heard. So for me to actually step foot in this industry is also because I want to have a voice for the plus-sized community, and people who feel different about themselves. I feel powerful right now because whenever I say something, or whenever I crack a joke, people have felt it and people can relate to it. So I guess that is power.

In what mode do you feel most powerful?

When I hold the mic. The moment the camera's on, when I see the red light blinking or flashing, that's when something just gets into me. I feel like, 'Oh, I am Beyoncé.' I gave myself the name BeyonXi! I tell people that if you put me in a group dance, I might not be able to catch up to the beat or whatever. But I always tell them confidence is the key.

What’s the most fulfilling thing about what you do?

Seeing people laugh. I guess whenever I get the reaction when I'm on stage, or people tell me I'm very funny. Now I see it in a different light. I think 'Wow, this is what I do. This is my job.' And for me to be able to bring a smile to your face, or make you feel better about yourself, is what I really love about my job.

Can you share more about a time when humour helped you get through something difficult?

I usually feel I'm going through a very difficult time when I get rejected by [a] director saying that my look or my character doesn't fit the role that he or she is casting. Or a brand chooses to say that 'Oh, Xixi is just funny. She's a comedian and she doesn't suit our brand.' I feel very defeated by this.

I think, 'This is me. Why can't you just try it?' I'm willing to put myself out there and try this industry and try this environment, why can't people be more adventurous? So whenever I feel defeated, I tell myself, 'It's okay, I guess they don't do a lot of wide shots in the movie.' Or 'I guess I'm too good.' Or I joke that I'm a Pokemon that's evolving to a better version of myself. To make myself feel better, I laugh at it, so that I don't feel so sad or affected.

The biggest misconception about my job is...

Like I mentioned earlier on, many people just feel that comedians are only funny, or might not be very suitable for high-end brands, or that we can't be high fashion. I always hear things like that. So I feel that this is the biggest misconception.

Comedians have so much more to give. Comedy is just a path that we choose to pick. So we are really like superheroes who are not wearing a cape. I used to watch comedians like Mark Lee or Hossan Leong when I was younger. After a bad day, I watched them and I felt so recharged and ready to fight. I want to be like them, I want to be somebody else's superhero. I might be too big to fly, but I can choose to use my superpower in other ways to make people feel good about themselves.

What do you think is the most important quality for a comedian?

Being organic and relatable. We find things funny sometimes, because we're laughing at ourselves. We're laughing at things that are relatable. And it's things that happens in our daily lives, as well. It's really very important for a comedian to be able to touch people's hearts.

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Who are your heroes and icons?

Mark Lee. I always joke about this. His Chinese is not very good. He's not very handsome. Just like me. But it's okay, he made it. Everyone knows Mark Lee. Previously, I got very affected when people said I was fat or big. Now I'm so proud of it. Because I feel like that that's how you identify me. It's an image that I cannot separate myself from.

Mark Lee is someone that I really want to be in the future. Being good looking and being an idol you can only go so far. When you're older, you have to switch to another role. But being a comedian, you can go a long way. He is already in his 50s and he's still going so strong. He has done so many movies. And in some movies, he's not even being funny. Some of his movies are very serious.

Watch his shows. He does tell you stories. It's not just because he's popular that he gets these roles. Whenever I've worked with him, he can be very brutal at times when he's talking to you. But he's teaching you. He's teaching you how to be quick-witted. How to think fast. How to retaliate when he's throwing you 'balls' in a very fast manner, because he wants you to throw them back at him. He doesn't teach you in a nice manner. He'll be like, 'So now you know ah?' He wants you to learn in a very fatherly way, and I like that!

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Photographed by Wee Khim
Creative direction and styling by Windy Aulia 
Producers: Cindy Ow, Navin Pillay 
Makeup: Manisa Tan 
Hair: Karol Soh
Stylist’s assistants: Naysa Pradhan, Zoe Tauro