LIVING overseas for 15 years has given local singer-songwriter Yuna a lot of exposure to many things, aside from music-related matters.
One aspect that has made an impression on her after years spent in Los Angeles, is being fashion forward as a bona fide celebrity and fashionista.
Describing the stars as art lovers, Yuna thinks they have the right to try something new and be creative in fashion, even if the style featured looks strange to the point of being criticised by the public.
"Take singer Aina Abdul, for example. Every time she appears to perform, we can expect Aina to come up with something new and eye-catching.
"We need things like this in the industry. When Aina appears often with such an image, people can tell that that is her identity," said Yuna, whose full name is Yunalis Mat Zara'ai, in a recent report.
She was met at a photoshoot campaign for popular stylist Abu in conjunction with Kuala Lumpur Fashion Week 2024, which is currently on until Aug 4.
Commenting on the attitude of netizens who often attack Aina's out-of-the-box fashion sense, the 37-year-old artiste hopes that Aina will not be discouraged by the negative comments and continues to push the boundaries within reason in her fashion journey.
"Aina is a brave person and her fashion style has an element of art. I have also heard people make negative comments about her appearance which is different from others.
"For me, Aina needs to continue with what she is doing and have fun with it. Be yourself. This is not a new thing because I have also been through the same experience of having my attire torn to shreds by netizens with their criticism.
"Our people really like to comment. Whatever it is that they can, they will criticise. But now it seems like they are more open," she said.
In another development, Yuna expressed her excitement at being able to realise her plan of returning to her home country in order to be closer to her family after spending over a decade overseas to pursue her artistic ambitions.
But she added that her return to Malaysia would not in any way mean that she was abandoning her music career in the US which she had worked so hard to build.
"My husband and I have plans to return to Malaysia. After all, my parents are getting older and so I would want to be closer to them.
"The family is happy and welcomes our decision. We are also thrilled since our wish to be closer to family and to be able to spend quality time together will finally be fulfilled," she said.
Yuna married film and music video director Adam Sinclair on Jan 26, 2018. Adam, 39, is the brother of the late actor Ashraf Sinclair who was married to popular Indonesian singer Bunga Citra Lestari.
"Recently, I had the opportunity to have lunch with my family and my late brother-in-law's wife, Bunga Citra Lestari. This is because she happened to be in Kuala Lumpur.
"Situations like that are fun. Otherwise, we can only see each other from afar," she said.
Yuna added that she and Adam were also planning to start a family in the near future.
Without going into too much detail, she said: "Now, we are renovating our house for a more comfortable life."
As for her music career, things will carry on as usual and is grateful for the advancements in technology to help out in the process.
"If there is any recording work in the US, it usually only takes two weeks. But, that's not a problem because we have technology that can be used.
"I admit that the US is the right place in terms of a music career, but when it comes to the quality of life, it's better here," she said.