As Editor-in-Chief Charmaine Ho aptly put it at our anniversary celebration at Capitol Theatre, community is the cornerstone of everything we do at ELLE Singapore. That belief is precisely what the ELLE Bestie column was built on—a considered, 360-degree platform dedicated to spotlighting, celebrating and championing rising Singaporean talents.
These are individuals who dared to imagine more, had the conviction to pursue it, and the tenacity to stay the course. Across disciplines and industries, they are shaping culture in ways both visible and quietly transformative. As 2025 draws to a close and we look toward the year ahead, we revisit the talents who graced our pages and check in on where their journeys have taken them.
January: Saffron Sharpe
In January 2025, Saffron Sharpe stepped into the spotlight as one of our ELLE Besties, recognised for her candid point of view, effortless sense of style, and growing confidence as a storyteller. Since then, the Singapore-based creator has entered a new chapter—most notably with the launch of her own YouTube dating show, Ok! Chope. Taking on the role of both host and creative lead, Sharpe brings her trademark honesty to conversations around modern dating, marking 2025 as a defining year in her evolution as a media personality.
Related article: Swipe Right or Get Left: The Gen-Z Dating Dilemma
February: Nicole Liew
In February, we celebrated Singaporean model and creator Nicole Liew's unwavering work ethic, grounded personality, and effortless chic that has seen her walk for major fashion houses and represent Singapore on international runways. Since then, she’s continued to build on her momentum in fashion and modelling, staying true to her authentic style while expanding her presence across shoots, campaigns, and creative projects that reflect her growth as both a model and storyteller.
March: Krison Sum
Balancing discipline with self-expression, Krison Sum has steadily carved out a career that sits at the intersection of medicine and fashion. He was recognised for navigating the rigour of medical training while building a thoughtful presence as a content creator. At the time, Krison was completing his medical degree at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, with a clear commitment to continuing on the clinical path. Beyond the hospital corridors, he has also marked key fashion milestones, attending international fashion weeks and immersing himself in the global style circuit—proof that ambition, creativity and purpose need not exist in silos.
Related article: What Gen Zs Should Be Doing To Future-Proof Their Health
April: Lila Tan
Striking the perfect balance between sport and culture, Lila Tan has continued to make waves both on and off the pitch in 2025. The Singapore-born midfielder has kept her focus on her football career as a key player for Still Aerion WFC in the Women’s Premier League. On the international stage, she remains a talented member of the Singapore women’s national team, representing her country with poise. Beyond football, Lila continues to explore her passions for fitness, personal training, and creative expression, embodying the multifaceted identity of today’s modern athlete.
Related article: The Hottest Asian Athletes Competing At SEA Games 2025
May: Jean Seizure
Bold, introspective, and unapologetically herself, Jean Seizure has been carving out 2025 on her own terms. Since being featured, the singer‑songwriter has been deepening her voice as both an artist and storyteller, blending her indie sensibilities with candid reflections on love and identity. From early days as a child actor to making waves on global stages like Spotify EQUAL and GLOW in Times Square and LA, Jean now channels that experience into her highly anticipated debut EP POV, a six‑track journey exploring love from every angle.
Related article: Jean Seizure Captures The Ache Of Heartbreak With Her Latest Single
July: Ashley Kiara
This year, Singapore-born DJ Ashley Kiara has been making waves across Asia’s music scene. Since being featured as ELLE Singapore’s ELLE Bestie, she’s taken her high-energy sets to international stages, from Shuffle Hong Kong to major festivals like Djakarta Warehouse Project and Marquee Singapore, all while growing a loyal following online. Beyond live performances, Kiara is working on her debut album, blending her signature mashups with original productions, proving 2025 is a defining year for her at the intersection of music, fashion, and digital culture.
Related article: On The Decks: The Hottest Female DJs To Watch
August: Ashley Teo
Ashley Teo, better known online as @bubbletea.o on Instagram, has been shaping a bold new chapter of her creative journey in 2025. The Singapore‑born creator has channelled her passion for dance, travel and cultural storytelling into a dynamic lifestyle platform that resonates with tens of thousands of followers on Instagram. With trips to Seoul for K‑pop festivals, speaking engagements at regional conferences and front‑row moments at Shanghai Fashion Week, Teo continues to expand her presence beyond choreography into fashion, beauty and travel content with global flair. Her evolving voice this year captures the spirit of a modern creator who moves effortlessly between movement, style and meaningful experiences.
September: Lucas Wang
This year, Singaporean singer‑songwriter Lucas Wang, better known as WHYLUCAS, has continued to elevate his music career far beyond busking Orchard Road and TikTok clips with his guitar and original songs. Lucas took a bold step by taking a gap semester from his National University of Singapore studies to compete as the only Singaporean contestant on the regional idol survival show Chuang Asia 2, where he made it into the finals among contestants from across Asia—garnering regional attention for his heartfelt performances and songwriting. Since returning to Singapore post‑show, he’s been channeling that momentum into new music, including working on fresh material and performing at Waterbomb Singapore, marking 2025 as a pivotal year in his evolution as a rising artist with both grassroots roots and regional presence.
October: Denise Camillia Tan
Denise Camillia Tan has been shaping her most exciting chapter yet. The Malaysia‑born actress and host has continued to expand her screen and stage presence with standout roles in Mediacorp dramas and a second Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes win at the Star Awards, underscoring her growing resonance with audiences. Beyond her television work, Denise is also branching into musicals with a role in a modern retelling of The White Snake and continues to use her platform for meaningful collaborations and fashion moments.
November: Annika Sager
2025 has been one of Annika Sager's most exciting chapters yet. The 25‑year‑old multicultural model and fitness instructor represented Singapore at Miss Universe 2025 in Bangkok, showcasing her poise, advocacy, and dedication on the international stage. A Master’s student in luxury and fashion marketing, Annika continues to combine her academic insights with her passion for sustainable fashion, inclusivity, and empowerment, bringing intention and authenticity to everything she does.
December: Estelle Fly
2025 has been a defining year for Estelle Fly to say the least. The artist has been making waves as a singer‑songwriter and performer. She wowed crowds at Waterbomb Singapore 2025 with her single “messy” and capped the year with the release of her debut EP ZONE, showcasing her evolution as a multi‑hyphenate creative. Beyond music, Estelle continues to expand her platform through content creation and live performances, proving her voice—both on stage and online—is bold, authentic, and entirely her own.