How DJ Soda Finds Happiness and the Supernova Power of Performance, Always

There is a particular kind of energy that follows DJ Soda.

It is there in the music, of course, in the packed clubs and festivals where her sets bring together audiences from different countries and cultures. But it is also present away from the DJ booth: in her curiosity, her dedication to creativity and an approach to life that seems remarkably uncomplicated for someone whose career keeps her perpetually in motion.

For DJ Soda, the secret is authenticity.

“The best advice I’ve ever received is to always stay true to myself,” she says. “Trends come and go, but authenticity lasts much longer.”

It is a philosophy that has served her well. As one of Asia’s most recognisable DJs, she has built an international career without losing sight of the personality behind the stage name. Her appeal extends beyond music into fashion, beauty, travel and lifestyle—an increasingly fluid world in which the modern creative is expected to be as distinctive offstage as on it.

The Joy of Performance

For DJ Soda, however, performance has never simply been about being watched.

“The most rewarding part is seeing people from different countries enjoying my music together,” she says. “Music has no language barriers, and it’s amazing to see complete strangers smiling, dancing, and creating memories together because of one set.”

That connection is something she says she will never tire of.

It also explains why longevity matters to her.

Among the artists who have inspired her is David Guetta, whose career she admires not simply for its scale but for its continued evolution.

“What I admire most is that even in his 50s, he continues to perform at the highest level while constantly evolving with new music and new ideas,” she says. “He has shown that age doesn’t define an artist—passion, hard work, and the willingness to keep growing do.”

Her ambition is clear.

“I hope that, just like him, I can still be performing around the world in my 50s, continuing to make people happy through music and enjoying what I love for many years to come.”

It is an unusually grounded definition of success. There is no fixation on numbers or status; instead, the emphasis is on continuing to grow, continuing to create and, above all, continuing to enjoy the work.

Staying in Her Own Lane

If she were not DJ Soda, she says she would still be doing something creative.

“Maybe I’d be producing music, working behind the scenes in entertainment, or creating digital content,” she says. “I’ve always loved expressing myself creatively, so I don’t think I could ever have a job that isn’t connected to creativity.”

That instinct also informs how she thinks about identity.

Asked which heroine from history she would choose to become, her answer is revealing.

“Rather than becoming someone else, I’d rather become the best version of myself,” she says. “Everyone has a different journey, and I think creating my own story is much more meaningful than living someone else’s.”

It is perhaps the most succinct expression of her philosophy: don’t imitate, evolve.

And in an age where trends can appear and disappear almost overnight, there is something refreshingly enduring about that idea.

The Discipline Behind the Glamour

The glamour of DJ life can obscure its physical demands. Constant travel, late nights, performances and international flights require a level of discipline that rarely appears in the final Instagram post.

For DJ Soda, wellness is therefore less about elaborate rituals than consistency.

“Sleep and hydration are the most important things for me,” she says. “I also try to eat balanced meals whenever I can and work out whenever my schedule allows.”

Listening to her body is equally important.

“When I have time, I make sure to rest properly so I can recover and stay energised for the next show.”

Her approach to skincare follows the same principle.

Because she wears makeup almost every day and spends much of her life travelling, skincare has become an essential part of her routine. She looks for ingredients including ceramides, hyaluronic acid, panthenol and centella, with hydration and maintaining the skin barrier among her priorities.

Her attention to beauty has also extended to scalp care following what she describes as a hair bleaching accident.

“I spent a lot of time researching and trying products from many different brands to find what actually worked for me,” she says.

The experience changed her approach.

“To me, good skincare isn’t about looking good for one day,” she says. “It’s about finding products that truly work for you and keeping your skin, scalp, and body healthy over the long term.”

It is an attitude that mirrors her approach to performance: consistency over shortcuts.

When Work Doesn’t Feel Like Work

Perhaps the most telling thing about DJ Soda is that even her downtime tends to lead back to creativity.

“Even on my days off, I still enjoy working because music never feels like work to me,” she says.

She spends her time producing music, discovering new tracks and editing social media content. When she does step away from that world, she enjoys shopping, trying new restaurants and watching movies and dramas.

Travel, naturally, plays a significant role.

One of its pleasures is discovering local food. During her recent trip to Malaysia, she singled out the fried rice at progressive Thai restaurant As.I.Am. by Chef Ton (where this photoshoot took place)

“It may sound like a simple dish, but the flavour and balance were incredible,” she says. “I was honestly surprised that I could enjoy such authentic Thai flavours while being in Malaysia.”

Cooking, however, is another matter.

“Honestly, not really!” she laughs. With a schedule built around international travel, exploring restaurants is far more appealing. “Trying local cuisine is one of my favourite parts of travelling because every country has its own unique flavours and culture.”

The Long View

For someone whose career exists in an industry obsessed with what is next, DJ Soda has an unusually strong appreciation for the present.

“Life has taught me that nothing lasts forever, so I try to appreciate every moment,” she says.

Success and difficult times, she believes, both pass. What remains is the experience—and what it teaches you.

“That’s why I always try to stay humble, be grateful, and keep moving forward without taking anything for granted.”

It brings her back to the question of happiness.

For DJ Soda, it is not complicated.

“Happiness means being able to do what I truly love while sharing positive energy with other people.”

There is, perhaps, the simplest explanation for the enduring appeal of DJ Soda. Behind the lights, the music and the global travel schedule is someone who still finds genuine pleasure in the fundamental act of making people feel good.

“Seeing people smile, dance, and create unforgettable memories because of my music is something I never take for granted,” she says.

And the ambition remains beautifully uncomplicated: to spend time with the people she loves, continue growing as an artist and as a person, and still perform around the world many years from now.

“That is what true happiness means to me.”

For DJ Soda, the beat goes on. And the next chapter, like the music itself, is still waiting to be written.

Videographer: Tommy Chin

Stylist: Birdy Lee / @birdbirdlee

Make-up: Elaine Chan / @elainechan_mua

Locations: As.I.Am by Chef Ton (@as.i.am.kl)  & Immersify Kuala Lumpur @immersifykl

DJ Soda wears HDRD Hundred Malaysia, Chrome Hearts, Feng and Glamedge