Did You Know? TikTok Sensation ‘Tube Girl’ Is A Proud Malaysian And Netizens Are Shook!

By Lara Lindemann • 21 Sep 2023 in News

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Every once in a while, we come across that one person on our FYP that makes us think social anxiety must fear THEM. Lately, all the hype has gone towards Tube Girl, AKA 22-year-old Sabrina Bahsoon, who gained overnight fame thanks to her TikTok videos where she fearlessly whips out a camera on the crowded Tube in London and vibes out to her favourite songs. She doesn’t care who’s watching her, and, let’s face it, other passengers can’t take their eyes off her. I mean, can you blame them? Just look at her!

@sabrinabahsoon Brb this is on repeat. #greedy @tate mcrae #tubegirl #tubegirleffect ♬ greedy – Tate McRae

Sabrina currently calls London home, and her “unskippable” videos have transcended borders, reaching international status and landing her partnerships with popular brands, including the iconic MAC Cosmetics. She even made an appearance at a fashion show in London!

But hey, seeing talented and beautiful individuals grace our FYP and trend on the “clock app” isn’t exactly groundbreaking, so why are Malaysians going crazy over Sabrina?

Well, that’s because Tube Girl is actually Malaysian – and she’s proud of it too. She first revealed her Malaysian roots in a TikTok video where she and her sister prepared and enjoyed homemade hotpot in London. She kept talking about how they used to have this “ultimate girl dinner” back when they were in Malaysia. Also noteworthy is their wholesome shoutout to Ketam Village, a local steamboat restaurant, halfway through the video.

@sabrinabahsoon Realising we hadnt eaten all day so whipped up a fat hotpot #girldinner #malaysiantiktok #hotpot #livinginlondon ♬ original sound – Sabrina Bahsoon

Needless to say, the comment section was quickly flooded with Malaysians expressing their excitement at sharing a nationality with Tube Girl. Many even suggested that we need a version of her videos set on the LRT in Malaysia, and honestly, who could blame them? Tube Girl even added “+60” to her TikTok bio, and at this point, we’re just super proud to be associated with her!

During her recent interview with BBC, Sabrina, who holds a law degree from Durham University, shared her perspective, saying, “I believe Tube Girl has evolved beyond simply dancing on the Tube. It’s about confidence and embracing one’s true self.”

Sabrina’s rapid ascent to TikTok stardom and internet celebrity status occurred in just a few weeks, and when BBC questioned how she achieved this, she told them that it all began with a simple “no.”

“I have to commute everywhere because I live quite far away,” Sabrina explains. “So, on my way back home after a night out, I’d play my music. When you’re grooving to your tunes, people tend to leave you alone.”

Feeling safer and more at ease during her commute, Sabrina had a “TikTok idea” and asked another passenger for assistance with filming.

However, the passenger declined, prompting Sabrina’s determination to go it alone. She declared, “You know what? I’m going to do this by myself. I want to create this video.” And the rest is history.

In the interview, Sabrina also attributes her laid-back attitude to her upbringing as one of five siblings in Malaysia, where she spent her formative years before moving to the UK to study law at Durham University.

“I’m essentially a Malaysian girl through and through. It’s my home,” she affirms. “Growing up, I was influenced by the easygoing nature of living in a hot and relaxed environment.”

Sabrina’s ethnic background is a beautiful blend of cultures – As she explained in a recent GRWM video, her father is half Sierra Leonean and half Lebanese, while her mother is Malaysian.

Furthermore, a growing number of videos inspired by Sabrina’s content have emerged. From major cities to local individuals, tons of people including influencers are replicating her videos, highlighting how it has transformed into a symbol of self-confidence and self-love, particularly among women.

@theweekanne @Sabrina Bahsoon i tried queen #tubegirl #mrtmalaysia ♬ sexy ass cars – fräns ✱

Apart from her bravery in recording videos in front of a crowd and her friendliness (always responding to the thrilled Malaysians in her comment section), people are also in awe of how Sabrina seems to effortlessly pull off these 0.5 mode videos. The music is always perfectly in sync with her dance moves and camera movements, while her hair sways gracefully with the wind. That’s what makes her videos so satisfying to watch.

Lucky for us, Sabrina is generous with her knowledge and, since rising to fame, has shared multiple videos on how she’s perfected that final shot. Check out her TikTok for these tips -maybe you could be our very own KTM girl? 😉