Stage actress, TV host, influencer and fashionista – Munah Bagharib is everywhere. Having cemented her thespian credentials in acclaimed productions like Wild Rice’s G*d Is A Woman (2023) and Teater Ekamatra’s Bangsawan Gemala Malam (2022), Munah will next be seen in Ekamatra’s Bawang Putih Bawang Merah at Pesta Raya – Malay Festival of Arts.

A people person who cares deeply for her loved ones and roots for the underdog, she shares the reads and clicks that bring her delight and inspiration.

Bookmark This is a collaboration between National Library Board and Esplanade Offstage.

What is your favourite genre of books and why?

I love learning and understanding the world. So I find myself drawn to non-fiction like memoirs and history books. Even as a kid, I remember my mum taking me to the library every weekend and I’d borrow these books about the ancient world, automobiles and airplanes, and animals! It was like travelling but through these magnificent pages.

I was recommended this book recently, The Reason I Jump by Naoki Higashida. It’s a memoir of a 13-year-old boy with autism that demonstrates how an autistic mind thinks, feels, responds.

Through the book, he answers questions that people want to know. He even starts out by first telling us how he is able to write the book despite being non-verbal. It’s such a powerful book and it opened my mind to how I view the world. 

Understand you are a caregiver to your mother who has dementia and it can be stressful. You have also struggled with your own mental health in the past. What is one book that helped you stay positive?

The book, The Rainbow Comes and Goes by journalist Anderson Cooper and his mother Gloria Vanderbilt, gave me grounding. It’s a memoir that’s so vulnerable and profound. I took so much from their experiences and one quote that stuck with me is, “The greatest happiness you can have is knowing that you do not necessarily require happiness.”

It gave me a different view of what happiness is. It allowed me to see that it’s ok to be vulnerable. I’ve always been very guarded, and I used to shove the bad feelings down because I felt like I had to be okay, 24/7. Especially being a caregiver, I had the mindset that I cannot allow myself to feel. Once I feel, I break.

But what I learned is that happiness is not just a high. It’s a fulfilling life that embraces the lows as well. It’s about being kind to ourselves and the people around us, even in the toughest times, and to accept this range of emotions we experience. It’s all valid and whatever we go through, it’s purposeful. 

Name one book you read as a child that has left an impression on you.

Winnie the Pooh by A. A. Milne was a big part of my childhood and I took a lot of values and lessons from that series.

I also really love the Harry Potter series. It was the one book that moved me to tears while reading it. I went on to become a huge fan of the films. I would say these two series of books inspired me to push boundaries and think outside the box. It’s more exciting out of the box!

What do you love most about theatre, and what have you read or watched that feeds that love?

I love the rush of performing live, being able to create that safe space to tell a story and for that connection of energies in the space. It’s so precious and special.

Personally, it feeds my soul and theatre has always been something that heals me, gives me so much joy. I am very grateful to be part of this magical place.

I am a fan of Cards on the Table, I need more! I love the insights and stories (on acting and Singapore theatre) from the artists. These are people I look up to, people whom I am fans of! To me, their opinions and experiences on these topics are so relatable, educational and thought provoking.

What advice would you give to those who love performing but have not gained the courage to do so publicly?

Don’t think, just do! I understand what it’s like to be in your head, to doubt yourself, to feel lost and like you’re not good enough to even get one foot in. But there have been times that being in my head has stopped me from truly experiencing, learning and enjoying this. And when I look back, I always think, “I wish I had just trusted myself!”. 

You need to understand that it’s not going to be perfect, you might fail once in a while and that is ok. Don’t beat yourself up over failures. That’s part of the process and how you learn to get better. Open yourself up to the opportunities, have the best time with it and always seek guidance and help from the people around you.

I attribute where I am today to the many people in the industry who have been so generous with their knowledge and who showed me that you truly just need to trust yourself. Start with that and it’ll flow. Good luck! I’m manifesting for you! 

What is one type of role you haven’t done that you would love to take on, and why?

I hope to do a one-woman show one day. Something connected and personal where I’d be able to collaborate with other artists, those who have made a big and positive impact on my career. That will be so special. Manifest for me, ok!

Catch Munah Bagharib at Pesta – Malay Festival of Arts 2024 in Bawang Putih Bawang Merah from 10 – 12 May 2024.