But Who Really is Tube Girl?
When you find yourself on the London Tube, chances are you're engrossed in your phone, scrolling through photos due to the lack of Wi-Fi service or diligently inspecting the stations to ensure you're on the right track. The journey from point A to B may feel mostly uneventful and stuffy, but for some, it's a path to stardom.
Meet Sabrina Bahsoon, famously known as 'the Tube Girl,' a prime example of this phenomenon. She has amassed a dedicated following through her TikTok videos filmed on the London Underground. Her videos, often short and snappy, feature her dancing (mostly) in front of the general public while harnessing the breezy subway winds. Through her videos, she exudes self-confidence and independence, sparking a social media trend under the hashtag #TubeGirl. This trend has encouraged people worldwide to dance in front of others, tapping into their own confidence and dancing skills, while reminding them to shed shame and embrace their unstoppable selves.
Sabrina's journey from growing up in Malaysia is revealing. Her parents prioritized formal education over creativity, leaving her, as a middle child among four siblings, struggling to express herself as an individual. This experience prompted her to seek independence abroad, leading her to London, where she found inspiration to nurture her creative side and pursue a career in modeling.
Many have voiced the difficulty of performing in front of others, but for Sabrina Bahsoon, there's no competition. "I don't care too much about people's opinions. I think that's a big thing - I don't know if confidence and [not worrying about opinions] are technically the same thing, but I believe that not giving weight to people's opinions, especially from strangers, frees you from your own self-doubt." Sabrina asserts that many people are their harshest critics, and worrying about the judgments of others can be self-sabotaging. For those who are quick to judge, their opinions shouldn't concern you in the first place.
Since her meteoric rise on TikTok, Sabrina has broadened her horizons. She recently graced the fashion runway and collaborated with Mac Cosmetics for London Fashion Week. She's already signed with Hive Models and secured more gigs for photoshoots and collections, including Hugo Boss. She's also become an official partner for Mac. Furthermore, she's been spotted filming TikTok videos with singers and influencers like Omar Apollo, offering a sneak peek of his unreleased song while playfully embracing a "straight-baiting" theme. Sabrina has attended numerous influencer events and, with over 20k followers on Instagram and over 500k on TikTok, is rapidly becoming an official digital sensation.
Sabrina Bahsoon epitomizes a positive trend that inspires others. Her ability to build on her trend and set an example for how others should act has become a magnet for businesses in the fashion industry. Her unique social media presence, devoid of awkwardness, has proven contagious to those striving to exude self-confidence, especially when they're alone. Beauty emanates from the individual, shining through and setting an example for those who may feel judgmental or shy in public settings - dance as if no one is watching, for you are perfectly fine just as you are.