SINGAPORE: Denise Teo Jia Qi, a 25-year-old better known as supercatkei, has emerged as one of Asia's top live streamers, achieving this remarkable fe
SINGAPORE: Denise Teo Jia Qi, a 25-year-old better known as supercatkei, has emerged as one of Asia’s top live streamers, achieving this remarkable feat in just two years. A full-time variety streamer, Teo is also a gamer, producer, mentor, and hobby musician, showcasing her multifaceted talent.
Her soothing voice and pastel pink streaming setup create an inviting atmosphere, making her content feel as comforting as a warm cup of tea. Teo engages her audience on platforms like Twitch, playing popular games such as Valorant and Apex Legends, singing cover songs, and hosting in-real-life (IRL) streams filled with outdoor adventures. She also organizes live concerts and game shows and produces offline events.
Despite her success, Teo’s journey into an unconventional career was not without challenges. After graduating from Ngee Ann Polytechnic’s School of Film & Media Studies in 2018, she opted out of pursuing a degree at LASALLE College of the Arts, NTU, or NUS to explore startup opportunities in Singapore and New York. During the pandemic in 2020, she began live streaming in her free time and has since collaborated with major brands like Love, Bonito, Samsung, OCBC Bank, and Canon. Notably, she represented Singapore at TwitchCon in San Diego last year and has recently ventured into live music performances.
Not as Easy as It Seems
While Teo’s role as a streamer appears glamorous, she emphasizes that it requires considerable effort and planning. “While I do get to play games and entertain people for a living, which is a huge blessing, a lot of preparation goes into each stream to keep it engaging for viewers,” she explained.
Teo typically streams for five to seven hours at a time, consistently striving to push the boundaries of content creation. She acknowledges the pressures of being judged by metrics like follower count, viewership, and engagement, which can impact opportunities and income as an online creator. This emphasis on numbers can lead to feelings of inadequacy and the temptation to compromise personal values for growth.
Navigating Public Scrutiny
Being in the public eye brings its own set of challenges. Teo mentioned that her online presence has attracted unwarranted attention, including stalkers trying to invade her privacy. In 2021, her income details were leaked without her consent, underscoring the need for mental resilience against public scrutiny.
Despite the cons, her passion for content creation outweighs the negatives. She enjoys the autonomy of being her own boss and collaborating with a small team on projects they are passionate about, leading to exciting opportunities.
Giving Back to the Community
Teo uses her platform to champion causes she believes in, raising S$30,000 for charities supporting at-risk youth and mental health since 2020. She also mentors aspiring creators through programs like *SCAPE’s Streamer Residency, providing realistic insights into the life of a full-time live streamer.
Advice for Aspiring Creators
For those looking to jumpstart their content creation journey, Teo offers the following tips:
Define Your Purpose:
Understand your motivation for creating content and the impact you want to have on others. This clarity will help you remain authentic and avoid getting swayed by fame or financial gain.
Try Different Platforms:
Don’t limit yourself to one platform; explore others to find where your content resonates best. Each platform may reward different content styles, leading to varied audience engagement.
Be Consistent:
In a saturated market, discipline is key. Commit to producing content regularly to build visibility and grow your audience. Teo suggests giving yourself a timeline of three to six months of consistent output to see tangible growth.
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