'As long as you know your work, you know yourself and family and close friends know how you are, nothing else matters.'
Shirley Setia is no longer the 'pyjama popstar' she used to be.
The young singer, who made her acting debut with Maskaon Netflix, is a popular social media star with 7 million followers where she entertains people with interesting photos, videos and reels from her personal and professional life.
Shirley tells Rediff.com Contributor PS Aaryan Khanna how she takes care of her throat, the diet she follows, her skincare routine, and importantly, how she deals with trolls.
What's the secret to your soulful singing?
I have got a very sensitive throat. Even if I am not performing, I drink lots of hot water on the sets because it feels really good.
People may find it weird because hot water is very tasteless, but still, I like having it.
Do you also follow a strict diet?
My diet actually depends on certain things. For instance, when I am preparing for a certain song I have a strict diet plan and on normal days I eat homemade food like rice and dal.
I eat very small portions and prefer not to eat food items that are too oily because sometimes I tend to get a sore throat because of it.
I don't eat a lot of sweets.
When I crave for sweets, I call for a brownie or something chocolate-y.
What's your favourite cheat meal?
I have got so many actually. I usually have a diet burger.
How do you take care of your skin?
My skincare routine is quite simple really. I have been thinking of recording a video about it because I usually keep reading comments and I know lots of people are curious about it.
Removing 100% of the makeup after a shoot is very important. However, it is an extremely exhausting thing to do after long hours of shoot and one does not feel like spending time on it.
It's important to get rid of all the makeup using a facewash. Use the right moisturiser that suits your skin type.
I have slightly dry skin. So, I have to figure out what will work for my skin.
Sometimes, certain moisturiser that I buy for dry skin does not work for me. I feel it is a trial and error method.
A good moisturiser and using a good eye cream are staples for skincare.
How often do you get trolled on social media?
I usually receive lots of trolls. But I realised recently that I am not the only person that gets trolled.
Everyone is getting trolled for something or the other. I feel these are very baseless and pointless things.
People take up small instances and start trolling.
As long as you know your work, you know yourself and family and close friends know how you are, nothing else matters.
I like my work. I am doing it because I hope that my family and my friends feel proud of the work that I do.
Then there are people who really love my work; I work for them also; so they have a smile on their faces.
If I start thinking about what the trolls might think, I may never be able to do my work.
It (the trolls) sometimes does bring you down, but you can't let that stop you. We need to self-motivate ourselves and continue with our work.
Have you ever been star struck?
Yes of course. When I met Arijit Singh.
Also, when I met Shreya Ghoshal ma'am may be back in 2012, if I am not wrong, I was extremely star struck.
I was not able to say a word.
When I met Salman Khan sir, I don't know how I sang in front of him and even made him sing.
This happens with me quite often and will keep on happening in future also. I don't even know how I will react when I meet Shah Rukh Khan sir.
As an actor and artiste, how do you deal with rejection and criticism?
It has happened many times, but it is a part and parcel of all actors's lives.
At the end of the day you have to trust in God. You just need to do your work with all your potential and the rest that will happen is not in your hands.
If I am doing my work with full dedication, the work that is meant for me will be mine.
You must keep your mind open and understand that there may be many reasons for which he/she might get rejected.
At the end of the day, you have to be positive and know what you want. At some point you will face rejection; but if you are happy with your work you need to believe in yourself.
How to make social media work for you? Please share some tips for aspiring artistes.
Being consistent on social media is very important. One always needs to know what is trending.
You have to be very involved and consistent on social media.
Whether it is good or bad, always take feedback from the audience. Have an open mind and be consistent.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Follow your dreams and don't be scared of new experiences.
Believe in yourself and your capabilities.
An actor with whom you want to do a romantic film with?
I would want to work with Sidharth (Malhotra) and maybe Ishaan (Khatter) and Varun (Dhawan).
