Becoming Tube Girl: Sabrina Bahsoon on achieving TikTok fame

Tell us why you started making these videos on the tube. Were you going somewhere in particular? 

When I was making my videos, I was just jobless (after university) and waiting for my friends to get off work so I could visit them. My best friend from university lives quite east of me, so I was probably just going to their house to hang out. But now I have things to go to!

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According to the online community, the biggest appeal of the #TubeGirlEffect is that it is encouraging people to ‘embrace the cringe’. What is the secret to your confidence? 

Growing up, I was an insecure, unhappy child. In Malaysia and Southeast Asia, there’s a big focus on community and public perception. I was always told how I should act, so I was very aware of what people thought of me. For the longest time, I felt like I couldn’t be myself but in the last two to three years, I’ve been trying to break out of my shyness and build my self-worth. 

I’m glad I’m just focusing more on myself, concentrating on what makes me happy and stop caring about others’ opinions because I’m just having fun and I look cute doing it! And I don’t classify what I do as cringe! I think that’s what people say about girls just trying to have fun; that we’re cringe, or too vain, or too confident…

From law graduate to TikTok sensation, how did you make that transition? 

I knew that a legal career was not something I wanted almost immediately, but I just kept going because I wanted to finish it. The girls who got their degrees for their parents will know! I actually went viral a couple of times when I was at university, but I only wanted to pursue a creative career after I graduated.

I would still encourage everyone to go to university—maybe they should choose a course that they’d actually like!—because it’s a great way to grow. For me, I was interested in meeting new people, building my confidence and trying out new things. In my last year, I walked the Durham University Charity Fashion Show (DUCFS). It was such an incredible but humbling experience; the auditions are so nerve-wracking; I was rejected two years in a row before I was finally accepted into the show!

How different is your life in London compared to Kuala Lumpur?

The most obvious difference was that I didn’t take public transport in Malaysia—I drove everywhere! 

It was also so hard to get used to the fact that the food was just not as good. Alamak! I didn’t realise there was nothing here. Like why are we eating potatoes every single day? I learned how to make my own nasi lemak! But when I really need to get a quick fix, I go to the Malaysian restaurants in London. Melur is the best for big groups and family gatherings, but Rasa Sayang is better for dates.  

There have been so many #TubeGirl recreations online. Which are your favourite?

It’s so surreal; I’ve seen so many celebrities, including Shay Mitchell, Madelaine Petsch, Madelyn Cline, Ciara, and Charli D’Amelio. My favourite so far is Grandad Frank on TikTok—it really made me laugh!

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You have also made videos with some of the world’s biggest celebrities! Which has been your favourite collab?

That’s too hard! They’re all my boyfriends—I can’t choose.

I would say they’re all different in their own way. Troye (Sivan) was amazing because I’ve been watching him since I was a kid. He was so, so lovely and nice—even when filming got super hectic. I remember I asked a man if he could move a little so he was out of the shot and he screamed at us. And shortly after, the alarm went off and the station got evacuated! It was rush hour and everyone had to leave King’s Cross. 

Omar (Apollo) was also another favourite because it was the first time it sunk in, “Oh my god, this is my life now!” We hung out, had lunch, rehearsed in his hotel bathroom, then filmed in the tube. He invited us to sound check and his concert later that evening. I was able to bring my sister and we had such a good time!

When it comes to navigating TikTok, what is your strategy to keep the momentum going as Tube Girl?

I love that my journey started on the tube. So far, I’ve had the opportunity to work with some incredible fashion, and beauty brands who saw my potential and I hope to continue my relationship with them! 

I’m excited to hopefully show off more of my personality. I’m still a bit shy but I have an incredible team of people behind me who are delusional enough to help me achieve my dreams and encourage me to reach my full potential.

From Milan to Paris, you were the star of fashion week last season. What were your biggest highlights? 

We flew to Milan at 4am after Omar’s concert and it was crazy because I saw my name written out “Sabrina (Tube Girl)” next to Gavin Castellagno and Chris Olsen. It was insane to meet all the creators I’ve been watching! 

For Paris, the highlight was the Valentino show, for sure. I was backstage, meeting all the models and being part of the action. And I met Penn Badgley (the main actor from You and Gossip Girl); he showed me his version of Tube Girl on his drafts and was super chill and calming, which I appreciated because I was a bit stressed out that I was in a room with really, really cool people!

You have made a name for yourself as a model in the fashion and beauty industry. Do you want to pursue that as a career in 2024?  

I’m a rockstar. That’s what I’ve always called myself since the beginning of time. Like Kate Moss or Madonna, I don’t want to be defined by one thing; I want to be an all-rounded creative person who understands how everything works together. 

A last question, what is something we don’t know about you? 

I don’t talk about it much but I’ve always been interested in music. When I was a student, I was always in all the recitals and musicals—but my school was so small and barely had the facilities for music. I taught myself how to play the piano too. 

I’m still shy but it’s something I definitely want to get into; maybe I can put out a body of work of my own one day or do my own spin on carpool karaoke with emerging artists who want to show off their new tunes.

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