Kathy Tan Her Lin, born 2012, is a Malaysian-Vietnamese model-singer-songwriter, verified artist on Youtube, Instagram, Facebook, Spotify. In 2021, she made history as the first Asian child model to win the prestigious Icon Award at age 8, the highest accolade achievable in Southeast Asia’s child modeling industry. In 2024, at age 12, she became the youngest Asian artist to sign with Universal Music Sdn. Bhd., with her second single “Winter Dream” featured on Universal Music Group Italy.
At age two, she first appeared in a magazine. In 2014, she won Vietnam’s Little Fashionista award.
At age five, she walked in Vietnam Junior Fashion Week 2017. The same year she won the title Tiny Princess Malaysia. In 2018, she won Tiny Miss World. She has represented brands such as Kenzo Kids, Emilio Pucci Junior, Lanvin Paris Junior, Young Versace and Moschino Kids. She walked in Malaysia Fashion Week 2018, Barbie’s Asia collection, and more. She has appeared in global magazines L’Officiel Baltic, L’Officiel Switzerland, L’Officiel Singapore, L’Officiel Malaysia, Harper Bazaar Kids Brazil, FabUK London, and more.
By six years old, she performed her first Disney cover at the Little Miss World 2018 (Little Miss and Little Mister United World) festival in Greece, earning her the Olympia Laurel Gold Medal. From seven years old, encouraged by her mother, she made four music video covers including A Million Dreams and Alicia Keys’ hit Girl On Fire. In 2020, she participated in the Face of Malaysia Kids Idol and was a Face of Asia Junior finalist, in the same year she won Top 50 Young Talent of the World by FAB UK London Magazine. In 2021, she made history as the first Asian child model to win the prestigious Icon Award at 8 years old, the Award was presented to her by the General Secretary of Tourism Malaysia, YBhg.Tuan Hj Zulkifli, Ministry of Tourism, Art and Culture, through Malaysia Fashion, Modeling & Pageant Awards (MFMPA) organized by MMK.
She learnt piano from age 6, and dancing from age 8. She wrote poems from age 7 and started writing lyrics at age 9. In 2022, Kathy achieved a significant milestone by releasing her debut single, Say You Love Me, at age 10. In 2023, Kathy walked in Kuala Lumpur Men Fashion Week at the age of 11.
In May 2024, at age 12, she became the youngest Asian artist to sign with Universal Music Malaysia and her second single “Winter Dream” featured on Universal Music Group Italy.
Her latest third single, $W€ETE3N, a creative blend of pop and rap, was entirely written by Kathy and filmed on her 13rd birthday. She became the first Malaysian winner of the Global Child Prodigy Award 2025, the award ceremony held at the prestigious House of Commons, British Parliament, London UK.
