Here’s a familiar face you might’ve seen — and if not, heard. As a long-time radio DJ at 987FM, hers is the comforting voice wafting through your stereo, bringing us the hottest hits yes, but also companionship across the airwaves. A stranger, perhaps, but one you’ll feel a connection to. It’s this same low-key vibe that greets us when Kimberly Wang steps into our studio, and later when we sat down for a chat; she has a kind of relatable, personable presence that isn’t in-your-face but calm, cool, no-pretence, familiar like an old friend, or, as some might say, a radio DJ.
Having started in the entertainment industry as a child actress, earned her chops in the Chinese theatre scene when she was just 9 years of age, and then subsequently hopping onto radio after clinching the title of ‘champion’ in the 2011 Radio Star Competition, no biggie, Kimberly tells us that she’s been at the radio station for over a decade, 13 years to be exact. She now helms evening drive time show 987 Get Out, alongside fellow hosts Gerald Koh and Maya Davidov.
But all this is resume stuff — what can she tell us about her time in radio, and how her job scope has evolved across the years? “Initially, radio was quite ‘pure’ as a platform. Traditionally, you’d hear a voice on radio shows, and that was essentially what the job entailed,” she starts. “With social media and stuff like that though, we have all become influencers, and our job is a lot more multi-approach now. It’s not just being a radio DJ; I host events, I do beauty and lifestyle shoots, I work with a lot of brands as well. These have all become a part of my job.”
Indeed the radio host, or radio star really, is often seen working alongside brands such as CHANEL Beauty, Louis Vuitton, and adidas, or attending glitzy product launches, pop-ups, and boutique openings. If you haven’t already gotten the idea, Kimberly is that girl, an industry mainstay that’s everywhere, all at once — well, except 5 to 8pm when she’s accompanying us over the airwaves, of course, eager to share a slice of her life alongside some piping hot tea.
This is clearly a career path that the 33 year old is passionate about, to the point of romanticising the medium: “The magic of traditional media is that it will always transcend whatever the new world has to bring,” says Kimberly, when asked about its relevance in today’s age of social media. “You’ll always find a moment to come back to things like that, because there’s nothing that can replace it, some kind of magic that you just cannot replicate. It’s the same when you pick up a magazine and read it, or when you pick up a paperback book.”
Above: makeup (all chanel beauty)
LES 4 OMBRES in CORAL TREASURE, $116
BAUME ESSENTIEL in mermaid glow, $73
rouge allure laque in sea star, $67
le vernis in sun drop, $46
On Kimberly
Chanel pendant earrings
More recently though, Kimberly has joined the team at local jewellery brand Curious Creatures, not just as a designer but Creative Brand Consultant, someone who’s responsible for expanding the brand and leading it to greater heights. Here, she tells us about her journey from early days where she had hounded (her words!) co-founders Larissa Tan and Sherrin Chan for particular jewellery designs, to helming her own collaborative collections, and eventually signing up to be on board.
Bold choice? We thought so too, though Kimberly tells us about a philosophy that’s close to her heart, which puts this, and her taking the chance in radio, into perspective. “I realise most of my major decisions in life, or things that have led me to the next stage, has always been the question of ‘why not?’,” she tells us. “Essentially, if I cannot find enough reason to not do something, then I will always give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen? I end up being back at square one. But I could try it, and it could lead me to a whole new world.”
And for all that fanfare, she isn’t afraid of letting us know what, really, kind of scares her as well. After all, being in the public eye for most of her life can’t be that easy. She shares: “I think I’m still scared of being vulnerable… But I’m very grateful for the people who do understand, who do seek me out when I’m quiet. I think the people who do hear you when you’re quiet, care about you the most — that’s something that has been very true for me, especially in the last few years. When I’m in a safe space, that’s when I feel like I can be vulnerable.”
That said, it’s a heartwarming moment when Kimberly also expresses how she’s incredibly grateful to the community of followers she has built up over the years; these include the people who send her direct messages or comment on her posts over on Instagram, lovingly read and received she says, as well as listeners who dial into the station. To all those listening in, here’s what she has to say: “To those who’ve sent [me a message], if you’re reading this, and if you’ve always offered a kind word to people around you, know that it’s a lot more significant than you might realise. I do read most of your messages, even if I don’t say it! It makes a difference — all the difference in the world.”
PHOTOGRAPHED BY ADELE CHAN USING LEICA M11.
MAKEUP BY PETER KHOR using CHANEL BEAUTY.
HAIR BY JAMES CHIUN.
Above: makeup (all chanel beauty)
LES 4 OMBRES in CORAL TREASURE, $116
BAUME ESSENTIEL in mermaid glow, $73
rouge allure laque in sea shell, $67
le vernis in sun drop, $46
On kimberly
Chanel glasses in acetate, embellished with a chain
Chanel bracelet in metal and strass
Hi Kim! What have you been up to recently?
Kimberly: “I currently host the evening drive-time show on 987, together with Gerald and Maya, so yeah, that’s what I’ve been up to. I actually made the switch last year in April, on 1 April, so a lot of my friends thought it was a joke; I have since gotten my social life back too. This is also my 13th year with the station!”
Was being a radio DJ something you’ve always wanted to do?
K: “It didn’t start as a career path that I had planned for. I was always in the media industry since I was a kid. So when I got into radio, it was because I thought it was amazing to do something that I like, which was hosting. I listen to music for gigs, and also work in an air-conditioned studio with a small group of people, you know, it wasn’t so front-facing (at a point in time), so I thought it was really fun, and I did it! Obviously the job has evolved dramatically ever since, but I’ve grown into that role as well.”
How would you say the job has evolved over the years — and how do you feel about these changes?
K: “Initially, radio was quite ‘pure’ as a platform. Traditionally you’d hear a voice on radio shows, and that was essentially what the job entailed. You hear us but don’t see us — that’s kind of one of my favourite super powers! With social media and stuff, we have all become influencers, and our job is a lot more multi-approach now. It’s not just being a radio DJ; I host events, I do beauty and lifestyle shoots, I work with a lot of brands as well. These have all become a part of my job.
A lot of people are like, ‘oh, when you apply for a job nowadays, you can’t just have one role anymore’, and I actually think that’s really fun. I like that my job has opened up many, many doors and opportunities for me to do things that I think are fun, in terms of content creation and creativity.
I was from an advertising background during university, and I’ve always wanted to be on the strategy team, where you come up with campaign ideas and all. My job has evolved so much that it has allowed me to do that, to use the skills I thought I would not need after graduation, from planning campaigns with clients, to creating digital content for them, all that kind of constant play, I really enjoy it. Even radio allows me to do that because I will have to come up with game ideas and segments on air.”
Above: makeup (all chanel beauty)
LES 4 OMBRES in rivage, $116
stylo yeux waterproof in BLEU abysse, $43
Lumière de l’ocèan illuminating powder, $107
Rouge coco bloom in opportunity, $67
le vernis in lagune, $46
on kimberly
Chanel hairband embellished with black velvet flowers
Chanel necklace in metal and strass
What would you say is an underrated aspect of the job?
K: “I think it’s that because you’re on and you’re talking, you don’t really hear instant feedback from people unless it’s a phone call. But there are people who will still send DMs (direct messages), and it’s like ‘oh, there are people who are listening’, who tell us that what we shared was applicable to their lives, who thank us for sharing about things like that. Sometimes, you don’t think your opinion is that significant, but then you’re reminded that actually, maybe it is, and that people are really listening; I’m very thankful for that.”
That’s nice to hear! What is this community like, and how has it supported your journey over the years?
K: “I feel very lucky because I’m blessed with a very encouraging community. One of the things about social media is that it can get quite scary, like people who are very quick to voice their opinions without much care about how it’s going to be read, but I haven’t really had that. I’ve always had really encouraging and positive experiences.
This is something that I don’t really express, but I am very, very thankful for that even when I don’t reply. Just reading them brings me a lot of comfort. I’m not one for expressing my emotions, but I feel things very deeply and I actually hold things very close to my heart, and this support is what gives me the motivation and encouragement to continue doing what I’m doing.
To those who’ve sent them, if you’re reading this, and if you’ve always offered a kind word to people around you, know that it’s a lot more significant than you might realise; I do read most of your messages, even if I don’t say it! It makes a difference — all the difference in the world.”
As someone who’s a lot more in the public eye now, beyond just sitting in a booth, how do you feel having to be ‘out there’ and being more vulnerable than before?
K: “I think I’m still scared of being vulnerable, because life throws you some curveballs, and I’ve always been the kind of person who deals with them on my own. In fact, I’ve just been told three times already this year that I’m someone who’s easily misunderstood because I don’t really react in some situations. I’d be like ‘okay’, and they would ask, ‘don’t you feel angry or whatever’. It’s not that I don’t, but I feel like the world is already so noisy with so many opinions, and I don’t think mine is necessary to put out there, that every situation needs a reaction. Apparently, this has been misunderstood as me not really giving a shit about it.
I do care deeply, I just usually think about what’s the most constructive way of taking it from there, and if I have nothing to offer, I’d just hold my tongue. But I’m very grateful for the people who do understand, who do seek me out when I’m quiet. I think the people who do hear you when you’re quiet, care about you the most — that’s something that has been very true for me, especially in the last few years. When I’m in a safe space, that’s when I feel like I can be vulnerable.”
Above: makeup (all chanel beauty)
LES 4 OMBRES in rivage, $116
stylo yeux waterproof in bleu abysse, $43
rouge allure velvet in rouge vie, $67
le vernis in lagune, $46
On kimberly
Chanel necklace in metal, glass beads and strass (choker)
Chanel necklace in metal, resin and strass
Do you feel that radio is still relevant in today’s world?
K: “I think I’ll always romanticise it. I might be wrong for saying this, but I think the magic of traditional media is that it will always transcend whatever the new world has to bring. It might have a smaller impact, or a smaller share of the pie, but it’s not because people are consuming less but because they’ve got more options.
It’s like how people like old-school things, or still like going to the cinema. You’ll always find a moment to come back to things like that, because there’s nothing that can replace it, some kind of magic that you just cannot replicate. It’s the same when you pick up a magazine and read it, or when you pick up a paperback book. I have a Kindle, but I still go to Kinokuniya and I still like to buy paperback books — it feels different.”
It sounds like you’ve got quite a sentimental love for radio! Is this the same love that drew you to it, or has that evolved too?
K: “The job has evolved quite a lot, but the main bulk of it is the same, like going on air, making people laugh when you’re on the go. and stuff like that. I don’t have a magical story like ‘this was my dream’, I just really wanted to do it, especially when I was in university, because I was always a child host and actress, and hosting was one of those things that I enjoyed doing, but got a little bit shy as I got older.
When I was younger, as a kid, I had less inhibitions I guess, then as you get older, and your hobby becomes a job, you realise that there are other things that come with it. As a person who’s actually very introverted, it was a learning curve for me. When I heard about radio, I was like, ‘oh, I get to host and I get to listen to music without the very front-facing element at that point in time’. It felt like a dream job — so I was, why not?
I realise most of my major decisions in life, or things that have led me to the next stage, has always been the question of ‘why not?’. Essentially, if I cannot find enough reason to not do something, then I will always give it a go. What’s the worst that can happen? I end up being back at square one. But I could try it, and it could lead me to a whole new world. That was what it was for me. Why not? Let me try it. And now it has become such a big part of my life.”
What would you say to someone who’s eager to be a radio DJ as well?
K: “I actually think it’s easier now. Before, it was like, you had to email in your auditions and stuff, but now there are competitions, and we do TikTok contests to scout people and all. I feel like you could just put yourself out there. Don’t be afraid, you never know what could happen. Like I said, why not? You could try it, and it might not happen, but it won’t be different from where you’re at right now. Just go for it!”
Speaking of ‘why not?’, what’s a major decision in your life, other than radio, where you applied this philosophy?
K: “So many! Even when I was a kid, going to theatre school; radio was definitely one of them; going into my university (Wee Kim Wee School of Communication and Information) was one as well, I knew little to nothing about the major at first. In recent years though, that would definitely be joining Curious Creatures, a local jewellery brand that I am now a co-owner of since last year.”
Yes, do tell us more about your partnership with Curious Creatures! How did you get started collaborating with the jewellery brand as, first, a co-designer, and subsequently, co-owner?
K: “I’ve always loved jewellery, and it goes all the way back to when Curious Creatures first started. I found them on Etsy and started buying from them then. Eventually, I started asking them, ‘can you make something like that, do you have something like that?’, and they were like ‘why don’t you just design a collection with us’. This first collaboration launched in 2019, but the questions and the hounding started coming in way earlier!
For the first collection, I was looking for something that was asymmetrical, with a specific stone and colourway that did not exist at that point in time, or just couldn’t find — a cranberry stone paired with a very pale, almost pistachio-green stone on gold. So we created it and the collection sold out very, very quickly, which was surprising to me. I was terrified! I was designing something that I think I would like, but I don’t know if anyone else was going to like it.
That kind of started the whole idea of like, maybe I could do jewellery design, and we did another collaboration after that. And in the midst of that, we were in talks of how I can be a bigger part of the brand, because they were also looking to expand and we were talking about certain things that were very aligned, for example, wanting to start a luxury needle piercing studio and creating more elaborate earrings for people who have cartilage piercings, or going more into the 14k range while still being accessible in price. A lot of things were super aligned! Eventually, it just seemed natural to go into it, and like I said, it was one of those situations where I could not think of a ‘why not’ reason.”
How would you describe the person you’re designing for, and is that in line with your personal style?
K: “For me! I am not presumptuous enough to think that my collections appeal to everyone, but I suppose people who are looking for something that is simple, with a bit of detail, which also encapsulates my personal style. I like very minimalist, simple, clean silhouettes, but with a bit of detail. So if it’s going to be a white t shirt, that white t shirt is going to look a little different. Like, there’s a different lining in the pocket, a red thread running through a black piece of clothing, something that’s very small but draws your eye to it immediately without calling too much attention. That was what I had in mind for most of my collections.
For personal style, I also go from looking like a 15-year-old teenage boy with a snapback, t-shirt and shorts, to a very clean, elegant kind of style. And I can’t say I’m more one or the other — I am both depending on my mood and on the occasion, like get a girl who can do both, right? I do say that I pick comfort over style, but my stylist would be like, ‘no girl, you would die for fashion’, because I’d be in a dress and be like, you have to tie this corset tighter’, and he’d be like, ‘can you breathe?’, and I’d be, ‘I’m fine. I’ll survive’.”
Is there a dream person you’d like to see your jewellery on, perhaps one of your own style inspirations?
K: “Absolutely, I’d say Heart Evangelista! She’s one of my jewellery idols and I love that she wears her own in her photoshoots and stuff; she’s that badass. She has this tennis necklace made up of stones that she collected over the years, that she then customised into this beautiful piece! She’s got such a strong sense of personal style, and for it to be so specific to what she wants that she decided to just create her own stuff and wear it, that, to me, is amazing.”
How about beauty — what’s your approach to it? Do let us in on some of the products you just can’t do without too!
K: “Oh, beauty is a big journey for me. I had really bad skin as a teenager, like acne and stuff, and my dad would drive me across clinics in Singapore to try to resolve my skin issues. It would get to a point where I felt so unconfident I just didn’t want to go to school. Eventually, when I started to learn a bit more about skincare, I realised that it was really science, not just brands or products or marketing, but what’s most suitable for your skin. I always say, go to a dermatologist first to get your skin assessed. I can tell you this product is good for me, but you won’t know how it is for you.
That’s why a lot of the brands that I do work with are brands that are very conscious of the science behind the products. I love it when brands make a conscious effort to educate us, because we then get to share that with the public in a more informative way that’s less based on opinions, but based on the science that they have spent years of research on. [Editor’s Note: Kimberly has been collaborating with Chanel Beauty for years now, and shares many of her favourite products from the brand on her Instagram feed.]
Once you understand the product a little bit more, you also know how to use it better, like why would you choose to use it in the day versus at night, all of that makes a very big difference. I would say skincare is a lot of homework, and if you love learning it’s fun, but the payoff is like 1,000% worth it. It is so imperative that people learn about the products that they’re using, instead of just buying into the idea of like, ‘oh everyone says this is good’. I’m very lucky to be in a position where I get to have access to brands that will tell me what they’re about and stuff like that, and this is something that I will never take for granted.
For makeup, I’d say, skincare gives me confidence for makeup. If my skin isn’t good, no amount of makeup can help me to feel confident. That’s the honest truth. With makeup, I like playing around. I have a specific look that I go for, which is like very chill, clean and simple, but I do like playing around with colours sometimes. I am quite adventurous when it comes to people saying ‘let’s try this different look’.”
What’s next! Is there anything new that you’re looking forward to doing in 2024?
K: “I’m toying with the idea of doing some acting, which I have not done in many years and I do miss. People are still surprised to learn that I speak Mandarin as well, so I don’t mind shocking people and doing more Mandarin-speaking shows.
I’m very excited for new and unexpected things too, perhaps more exciting collaborations with Curious Creatures, where I hope I can bring something that’s more interesting and refreshing. I hope to bring the brand beyond Singapore — let’s see!”
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