Shirley Setia is a singer, YouTuber and actor who rose from bedroom cover videos to mainstream music and films
Born in Daman, India, and raised in Auckland, New Zealand, Shirley turned a simple hobby into an international career.
She first became known for her soft, melodic covers of Hindi songs uploaded on YouTube while she studied at the University of Auckland.
From there she built a large online following, moved to India for work, and expanded into playback singing, independent singles and acting. Her journey shows how digital platforms can launch global careers.
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Table of Contents
Shirley Setia’s Biography
Early life and background
Shirley was born in Daman in what was then the union territory of Daman and Diu. Her family moved to Auckland, New Zealand when she was a child.
Growing up between two cultures shaped her tastes. At home she heard Indian film songs. At school and university she absorbed Western pop and digital culture.
She studied at the University of Auckland, where she majored in marketing and information systems while working part time in radio and learning the basics of video production.
Her early training, combined with a natural feel for melody and a knack for editing, helped her make polished cover videos from her bedroom.1
Shirley has described her early years as a balance between study and music. She used spare time to practice, record and upload covers.
That quiet, steady work helped her build both skill and confidence before the big online break arrived.
The YouTube Breakthrough
Shirley’s path to fame began on YouTube. She started posting short clips and full song covers. Her voice, modest presentation and clear production resonated with viewers.
Instead of flashy videos, she offered honest performances. The “pyjama popstar” story that many outlets repeated highlights how she recorded in casual clothes from home early on, and how authenticity became part of her charm. Over time her channel grew into the primary platform for her music.
The mainstream media noticed. In 2016 Forbes ran a profile on Shirley and called her “Bollywood’s next big singing sensation,” a phrase that helped frame her as an online-born talent ready to cross into traditional entertainment.
That feature widened her exposure and led to invitations to perform live, including YouTube FanFest events and concerts in India.2
Music Career
Covers, Originals and Playback Work
Shirley’s early uploads were mostly Hindi film covers. Several covers gathered millions of views and introduced her to large audiences in India and among the diaspora.
With the audience established, she gradually moved into original singles and professionally recorded tracks. She collaborated with producers and music directors to develop studio releases that showcased her voice in original pop and Indian pop formats.
Recently came across a rescue incident with a pet, which the Mumbai Fire Brigade team handled so well and calmly. 🥹🙏🏻
So very grateful to the Mumbai Firefighters for being so prompt and caring.. A big thank you and a big salute ❤️
— Shirley Setia (@ShirleySetia) October 17, 2025
Playback Singing and Film Music
As her reputation grew, Shirley moved into playback singing and commercial music projects. She recorded songs for independent albums and film soundtracks.
That work helped her reach radio listeners and playlist users who might not follow YouTube closely. Her recorded output mixes Hindi and Punjabi influenced songs as well as pop tracks tailored to streaming platforms.
Live Performances and Concerts
YouTube fame translated into live stages. Shirley has performed at college festivals, music carnivals and private events across India and abroad.
She took part in YouTube FanFest events and performed to fans at multi-artist festivals. Live shows allowed her to build stagecraft and to perform longer sets than the short online clips that launched her career.
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Acting and Film Work
Shirley expanded into acting as her career matured. She made her acting debut in projects that included Netflix releases and mainstream Hindi films.
Her early acting work included the Netflix film Maska (2020), where she was part of an ensemble cast for a filmed release that reached global audiences via streaming.
She later made a big-screen debut with Nikamma in 2022 and appeared in other regional projects including a Telugu film release in 2022.
Moving into films is a natural extension for many singer-actors in India, and Shirley’s transition shows how creators can move between digital and traditional media.
Artistic Influences
Shirley’s singing style blends pop sensibilities with Indian film melodies. She favors warm phrasing, clear diction and a soft timbre that suits acoustic arrangements and ballads.
Her early covers often placed strong emphasis on emotional delivery rather than heavy vocal showmanship. Influences include classic Hindi playback singers and contemporary pop artists.
On stage she keeps the focus on songs, voice and connection with fans rather than on extravagant production.
Personal Life
Shirley has kept much of her private life private, which is common for public figures who rose from social media.
She shares glimpses of daily life, travel and work with her followers through social platforms. Beyond music and acting she has explored brand partnerships and entrepreneurial projects.
Her social media highlights include collaborations with lifestyle and beauty brands. As her public profile rose, she became a sought-after collaborator for commercial endorsements and appearances.
Stats Table
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| YouTube subscribers | ~3.8 million | SocialBlade / YouTube analytics. |
| YouTube total views | ~403 million | SocialBlade / Wikipedia. |
| Instagram followers | ~8 million | Official Instagram profile. |
| Spotify monthly listeners | ~1.8 million (varies) | Spotify artist page. |
| Notable film debut | Maska (Netflix, 2020) | Wikipedia / film pages. |
| Big-screen debut | Nikamma (2022) | Wikipedia / film pages. |
| Forbes feature | Yes — Forbes profile in 2016 | Forbes article. |
Notable Songs and Highlights
Here are some tracks and musical highlights that helped shape Shirley’s popularity:
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Early YouTube covers — Several of her cover videos achieved viral status and introduced her to viewers worldwide. These covers are the building blocks of her early fan base.
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Independent singles — After building an audience, Shirley released original singles that showcased her voice in studio production.
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Film songs and playback — Her recorded songs for films and playlists helped her reach radio and streaming audiences beyond the YouTube community.
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Festival and concert appearances — Live shows and YouTube FanFest performances helped her build public recognition and professional stage experience.
For listeners, Shirley’s top tracks are often ballads or melodic pop songs, with frequent interest in remakes and reinterpretations of well-known film tunes.
Challenges
The creator-to-celebrity journey has inevitable challenges. Shirley’s career had to navigate:
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Platform volatility — changes in algorithms or monetization can affect reach and income.
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Competition — dozens of creators produce music and covers, so staying distinctive is hard.
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Public scrutiny — as her audience grew she faced more attention and the need to manage public image.
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Skill expansion — moving from covers to original production and acting required new skills and collaborators.
Her steady progression into recorded music and films reflects a pragmatic response to these realities. She expanded her team, worked with producers, and learned performance techniques suitable for larger productions.
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FAQ’s
Q: Where was Shirley Setia born?
A: Shirley was born in Daman, India, and raised in Auckland, New Zealand.
Q: How did Shirley Setia start her career?
A: She began by uploading covers to YouTube while studying at the University of Auckland. Her channel and early videos grew her initial following. A Forbes feature and YouTube FanFest appearances increased her visibility.
Q: Is Shirley Setia an actress?
A: Yes. She acted in the Netflix film Maska (2020) and made her theatrical debut with Nikamma (2022). She has also acted in regional films.
Q: How many YouTube subscribers does she have?
A: Around 3.8 million subscribers, according to public analytics. Subscriber counts change, so check her channel for the latest number.
Q: Does she sing in languages other than Hindi?
A: Her recorded work and covers focus mainly on Hindi and Punjabi influenced pop, but she has reached a global audience and sometimes includes English or bilingual material in her repertoire.
Q: What are her biggest platforms?
A: YouTube is her original and core platform. Instagram and streaming services like Spotify also host large audiences for her music.
Q: Has Forbes written about her?
A: Yes. Forbes profiled her in 2016, calling her a rising singing sensation and noting her strong online momentum.
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