May 21, 2026 8:00pm IST
Lilly Singh: ‘I am 37, Not Married and Do Not Have Kids’ (EXCLUSIVE)
She’s come a long way from shooting relatable comedic videos during her university years to cope with depression under a pseudonym (Superwoman, for the uninitiated), to actually becoming one, 15 years hence, using her real name: Lilly Singh. From content creator to the face of a late night show, published author, an actor, producer and now a podcaster, there’s nothing she cannot do.
So much so, when the prolific YouTuber took a break from her main page in 2018 at the height of her fame (in 2016, she was the third highest paid YouTuber in the world), the world took notice. She continued building her empire ever since.
Before we begin our chat, Singh looks totally in control and before long, her relaxed vibe fills the room. Mumbai is one the cities Lilly visits once a year. Born in Scarborough, Toronto, the Canadian YouTuber traces her ancestry to Hoshiarpur, Punjab. Coming to Mumbai is a yearly ritual she enjoys to the hilt. “I always look forward to this annual trip where I hang around with friends, have great conversations and eat great food.”
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Humbled by the hinterland
Lilly is also heavily invested in her cause of working for underprivileged girls in India through her philanthropic venture, Unicorn Island. Talking about the project, she asserts, “I think it is hard to do this kind of work if you do not love it. It is a lot of work, I won’t lie. I am very far away from my home and family, in a different time zone. I believe in gender equality. The world would be a better place if women had more power.”
She thoughtfully measures her words as she talks about her plans for Unicorn Island, and how empowering women is a cause close to her heart. Her work for underprivileged girls takes her to India’s villages. Despite growing up in Canada, she finds resonance with women’s issues in patriarchal societies. “My problems might seem vastly different from those of girls in certain parts of the world. But some issues are universal. Body-shaming, standing up to your parents, having to fight for what you want is common. I had a very unconventional career, my parents were scared and confused,” she says.
Singh says most of her work for Unicorn Island is at the grassroot level with her focus being on Uttar Pradesh. “I am working with the Pardada Pardadi Educational Society that aims to send village girls from lesser privileged homes to schools. I found it important to personally support this endeavour,” she explains. The YouTuber takes a minute to pause, and says she believes she gets a ‘little humbled’ as she spends time in the villages. “Mumbai feels like LA. I know this city, I know how it operates and so on. But when I travel to the interiors that’s where I see what real struggle is,” she shares.
Travel is the best teacher
Of late, there’s a huge outrage over how some celebrities have been ‘ignorant’ about world issues, or have simply refused to speak up when required. Fans have also called them out for living in a bubble. Lilly acknowledges that while everyone might not be able to speak up, a sense of empathy is important.
She avers, “I think we all like to live in our own bubble to be honest. Celebrities definitely do (laughs). I have learnt that you need people around you to understand you, your struggles, your life on the sets, your business and so on. At the same time, friends outside your circle are equally important to help you learn and grow. The idea of this podcast is to meet people who are raised differently, with different values and have different conversations. It is why this is so important to me,” she says. Singh believes that travelling teaches what schools forget to include in their curriculum, “If I was the president of the world, I would make it mandatory for people to travel and enable it. Meeting people from the other side of the world is so important,” she affirms. She says her friends in Mumbai have been truly welcoming and supportive.
Striking work-life balance
Of late, there have been many conversations on how eight-hour shifts should be encouraged in Bollywood. She shares, “When I was in my 20s, I worked all day long without breaks. Now, in my 30s, I know a little better. My life and career operate in seasons. At present, I am packed with work. I have been travelling for 20 days, been in India for 10 days and that’s it. After this, one month I will be at home sleeping all day.” She believes marathon shifts should not be flaunted like badges of honor. “I just saw a video where a filmmaker said the cast and crew worked for 18 hours a day without any complaints. That should not be the norm. This is for the general health and safety of people,” she said.
Singh says she has mastered the art of finding time for herself in the middle of hectic schedules. “There are these little pockets of me-time,” she laughs. She has a fixed morning routine that has gone haywire in India. Her journal is her constant companion. She shares, “If you do not set the intention you just go into motion. Journaling helps me remember why I am here and doing what I love.”
Love for Shah Rukh Khan and the self
Lilly’s Shah Rukh Khan shirt at the airport was noticed as she touched down in India. The comedian says she not only looks up to his films but also how he conducts himself as a celebrity. Her eyes shine as she talks about King Khan, “I was at Mannat, where I had lunch and I still vividly remember how I felt spending time with him. He spoke to me in detail about what he loved about my work. The best gift you can give to people is your time and attention. I try to emulate that with my fans,” she gushes.
Despite a solid academic background, she stayed away from pursuing a conventional career. When asked what she would say to that 16-year-old teen who spent nights worrying about the future, she shoots back, “I don’t want to have regrets. I do not believe in regrets. When I was 16, I did believe I had to figure it all out. I had to figure [out] my career, get married, have kids, etc. Now, I am 37, not married and do not have kids. So, what I would say to my 16-year-old self would be to have a little less pressure to figure it out, and instead just enjoy the journey.”
Singh came on board for “Holy Curse,” (2024) a film that deals with gender identity issues in a traditional set-up.
Given that she has always championed for inclusivity; do we see her back projects with more artistic merit than chase money? She says firmly, “Both are important. I won’t lie and tell you that everything I do has a meaning and is very artistic. I do stuff for the little Lilly who wants to have fun. So, if there is a big blockbuster film, then why not? “Holy Curse” is a 17-minute film, but it prompts an important conversation.”
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