BAZAAR Women of The Year 2026: Meet Yuna

As Yuna’s fingers danced across her guitar and filled the set with the soulful notes of her underrated gem, “Decorate”, we were all swept into a wave of nostalgia, reminiscing about her origins and the songs that first made her a household name. Many fans might think it all began with “Deeper Conversations” and “Dan Sebenarya,” but her musical story stretches back further than her 2008 EP. She fondly recalled her earliest memories: watching her father strumming the guitar and singing, and listening to her parents’ cassette tapes on long road trips—moments that slowly planted the seeds for the artist she would become. Since then, the singer-songwriter has become someone the world fell for like no other, so we sat down with her to hear her chronicle it all.

In those early days, Yuna didn’t imagine singing as her path. Yet when she started crafting her own songs, everything clicked, and her confidence surged. She realised she wanted her music to be a comforting presence—a source of advice and connection, like a big sister listeners could lean on. “I see myself as a storyteller, so most of the songs I write are from the past, personal experiences or conversations I’ve had with people,” she said. If you know her, you know her songs are part feminine intuition and part dreamy lyrics with hazy tunes that tug at your emotions, but she’s also made pop tunes you can dance to—she’s versatile, to say the least. It’s a fluent romp through genres, perfectly calibrated for any moment or season.

Naturally, we wondered if any songs had transformed her, either personally or professionally, over the years. She shared: “No Doubt’s ‘Don’t Speak’ taught me English, while Lauryn Hill’s ‘Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ shaped my songwriting, and Frank Ocean’s ‘Thinking About You’ taught me that the best songs in the world are the simplest ones.” The echoes of these influences ripple through every lyric she pens, every note she sings and produces. Today, Yuna’s discography stretches across five albums—“Y5,” “Rouge,” “Chapters,” and “Nocturnal”—plus eight EPs and over 32 international singles. Her music is a tapestry of love, relationships, friendship, family, and life’s journey; these aren’t just songs, but heartfelt stories that linger long after the last note fades.

Yuna’s fan base didn’t form overnight; still, there was something illustrative about her music that just kept attracting more and more people. “If I had to choose one song that someone would have to listen to forever, it would be ‘Be Someone.’ It’s not a famous song, but it’s my most vulnerable one.” With haunting lyrics like “I let my dreams die in the cold city lights, oh I sold my soul for a little while,” we’d play it on repeat, too. “My studio process is simple: I usually team up with a producer who lays down some chords, and I let melodies flow naturally. Sometimes, I’ll escape to the beach with a good book, letting the waves and words spark new ideas.”

Yet, through every twist and turn, Yuna credits her triumphs to her parents, loved ones, and friends, who encouraged her to chase music even after she finished law school. After hearing just a few of her songs, they believed she was destined for something bigger. “People assume I bought my way to success; however, that wasn’t the case,” she said. Yuna’s journey began with gigs that paid little or nothing, the earnings split among five bandmates. She didn’t receive her first royalty check until she landed in Los Angeles. “Coming from a humble background, working hard and saving up was everything to me—it also helps when you have a great support system.”

Navigating Los Angeles as a Malaysian Muslim woman was no easy feat. “I had to be strong and stern when making decisions and just work really hard.” Yet her husband, friends, industry peers, and a positive community lifted her to heights she never imagined. Along the way, she stumbled, learned, and kept evolving—her sound and style always in motion. “After 20 years in music, I know I have to keep growing. Staying in one place too long makes you comfortable, and comfort is the enemy of creativity,” she said. Naturally, we wondered what belief from her early career she had completely let go of. She replied: “That you have to please everyone! You can never be your authentic self if this is your life goal. Although that was only a few years ago, it already feels like a lifetime to Yuna, who evolves at warp speed.

One thing she has discovered during her swift, sharp ascent to stardom is how the glitter of fame held little appeal for her. She has learned to treasure solitude and time with family above all. “Success and money aren’t everything without your health and family,” she said. In conversation, her grounded outlook shines through, revealing a rare blend of level-headed maturity, preternatural wisdom, and unmistakable edge. She is an optimist who almost never speaks harshly and always finds something to be grateful for.

As for what lies ahead, her future remains wide open. “Whatever life brings, I’ll embrace it.” She added: “Being healthy, happy and having a purpose in life, helping others and the planet. I just want to be happy and make decisions that are good for the environment.” Yuna admits she is still on a journey of creative and personal discovery. She even hinted at a dream to compose film scores someday, if the opportunity arises. “There are a lot of things I want to try, and music will forever be one of them.”

Before we parted, we asked her: If you could tell your younger self one thing before this all started, what would it be? “Just relax, and be yourself. Nothing is perfect, so stop stressing over the details; flaws can be beautiful, too. Including yourself!” With that, she’s off, arm in arm with her husband, guitar in hand.