BANGKOK — The term “Golden Child” often refers to a teenager burdened by high expectations from their family. However, for 20-year-old Mella May, this label represents motivation rather than pressure. Mella May has channeled her family’s expectations into fuel for her dreams, propelling her into the music path.
In her debut interview with Khaosod English, Mella May exuded an energy ready to make waves as the newest artist of Tero Music. “I always knew I wanted to make music,” she shared. “As a child, I adored Disney cartoons and sang along to every song on the TV. When I was six, my parents enrolled me in singing lessons, marking the first step on my musical journey. It was a magical moment, much like those enchanting fairy tales.”
“But everything started to change as I grew up. I know that those fairy tales aren’t real,” Mella May reflects. As she matured, her perspective broadened, fueling her personal and intellectual growth. Despite this, music remains her unwavering passion. “I’m not like other kids. My ideas grew faster because I went to high school in the UK. It shaped another version of me, a grown-up Mella May,” she says. “Listening to and singing Disney songs transported me and my listeners to another world.”
Mella May’s life alternated between Thailand and the United Kingdom, providing her with unique opportunities. She performed with the Royal Bangkok Symphony Orchestra (RBSO) at the Thailand Cultural Center, an experience she describes as both stressful and touching. “I don’t know how I got to that point,” she laughs.
“I studied singing there until they let me go on stage with the RBSO. It was a lot of pressure, but it felt like a dream come true. I felt like a princess, singing the songs I loved on a grand stage. That day, I performed ‘Rewrite the Stars,’ ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and ‘Maybe This Time.'”
“I remember when I was practicing, I could hardly sing,” Mella May recalls. “Singing with the RBSO was incredibly exciting and nerve-wracking for a 16-year-old. Both during practice and right before showtime, I felt a mix of excitement and fear that something might go wrong. But once I was on stage, everything felt unlocked.”
Mella credits Tor-Saksit Vejsupaporn as her role model and source of inspiration. In 2018, she performed at a New Year’s event, feeling nervous until Tor, playing the piano behind her, offered encouragement that boosted her confidence.
Reflecting on her experience with the RBSO, Mella highlights the value of her classical, opera, and theater singing techniques. These foundational skills are evident in her debut song, “Golden Child.” “Golden Child best reflects who I am,” she explains. “I incorporated my classical singing techniques into this song, aiming to introduce listeners to a new style of music with extensive vocal work.”
Mella May revealed that she wrote the lyrics to “Golden Child” herself, making it a true reflection of who she is. “When I wrote ‘Golden Child,’ I was in a moment where I told myself, ‘I’m enough; I don’t want to be perfect for anyone anymore.’ I want listeners to feel empowered, ready to face anything. If you need to scream, just scream. Let it out. This song is meant to inspire people my age who might feel like misfits in society because I want to connect with those who feel the same way.”
@khaosodenglish Mella May, a 20-year-old artist with a background spanning Thailand and the UK, debuts her single “Golden Child” under Tero Music. #mellamay #becteromusic ♬ original sound – Khaosod English
She shared that her first single was inspired by the trauma of Golden Child Syndrome and her desire to overcome it. “The reason I wrote ‘Golden Child’ was because I felt the same pressure many kids my age experience from various factors, whether it’s parents, love, or expectations. The song’s content addresses those with extremely high expectations. This condition, which affects teenagers or adults, stems from the immense pressure during childhood. These pressures left wounds that continued to affect me as I grew up, which led to the creation of ‘Golden Child.”
The highlight of this song’s message is that everyone can overcome fear by doing what they want and being who they want to be,” Mella May explained. “With confidence and determination, you can fully be yourself and live a happy life in society.”
Regarding the music video, Mella wanted to tell a simple yet impactful story. “Golden Child” is portrayed as someone trapped and controlled, leading to Golden Child Syndrome. The video features Mella embodying multiple personalities, representing her struggle and emergence as someone who refuses to conform, ultimately becoming a Golden Child in her own way.
“The music video presents two versions of me: one confined and controlled, and another representing my deep soul’s desire to break free,” Mella elaborated. “This character appears as a real person in the video, helping the confined version escape. The character symbolizes a princess trapped in a frame, pursuing her dreams and discovering her true identity. In the end, she succeeds in doing what she wants and being herself.”
“The filming of this music video posed challenges, particularly with numerous costume changes and uncontrollable factors like rain,” Mella May shared. “We planned to shoot scenes of me running outdoors, but the weather forced us into the studio, which turned out to be a different kind of fun.”
Encouraging viewers, she added, “You can watch the MV on TERO MUSIC’s YouTube channel and listen to ‘Golden Child’ on all major streaming platforms. There’s also a remix available on Beatport and Juno.”
Reflecting on her time in England, Mella acknowledged its impact on her perspective but admitted it has affected her proficiency in Thai. “Living abroad has broadened my horizons but has also challenged my use of the Thai language,” she confessed. “Singing Thai songs helps me practice fluency, and exploring Bangkok’s exotic locales not only inspires me but also provides another avenue for language practice.”
“From a young age, I’ve always enjoyed adventurous activities,” Mella May shared. “In my downtime from singing, I often go horseback riding, play bass guitar, and take dance lessons. I consider myself quite versatile—I can accompany my dad to a jazz bar, join my mother to see Mor Lam, or hit a nightclub with friends. Each experience offers unique inspiration.”
Reflecting on “Golden Child,” Mella expressed pride in how the song captures her identity through its lyrics, music, and music video. Looking ahead, she aims to create music that breaks new ground. “For my next song, I want to explore different themes,” she explained. “I’m interested in celebrating Thai soft power and empowering LGBTQ individuals. Through these songs, I hope Thai fans will get to know me even better.”
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