Hong Kong pop sensation Marf Yau of the girl group COLLAR offered a candid glimpse into the intense mental agility required for her magnetic stage performances, acknowledging a constant internal flux despite her outwardly confident demeanor. Speaking on the Metro Broadcast program New Town Power Music with host Lai Li, Yau discussed her recent triumph at the 23rd CASH Gold Sail Music Awards, where she secured the prestigious “Best Female Vocal Performance” prize for her track, “To’pA’ti.”

During the recorded interview, Yau confessed that while she was honored by the recognition, her emotional reponse to winning was remarkably low-key. She noted that at this stage of her career, she does not harbor a strong “desire” for awards, barely even registering her nominations. However, the specific wording of the accolade—acknowledging her “interpretation” or vocal arrangement—held significant personal meaning.

Collaborative Success Validates Artistic Vision

Yau highlighted that her award-winning composition, “To’pA’ti,” was an unconventional, bilingual fusion project created in collaboration with Catalan musicians based in Barcelona. She explained that receiving recognition for the interpretive complexity of such an “willful creation” was deeply validating.

While her performances often appear effortless and spontaneous, Yau revealed this sense of unbridled freedom is not always genuine. What the audience perceives as smooth execution is often underpinned by rapid, chaotic internal deliberation.

“In a single moment on stage, I can have four or five different thoughts surface within five seconds,” Yau explained.

She illustrated this mental juggling act with a specific incident during a concert when her necklace unexpectedly came loose. Instead of panicking, her mind instantly cycled through multiple contingency scenarios:

• Can I dance effectively using only one hand?
• Should I use both hands to gesture, distracting from the loose jewelry?
• Should I discretely toss the necklace backstage?
• If I discard it, will its placement obstruct other dancers’ movements?

Mastering Focus Amidst Onstage Chaos

Yau stressed that her biggest challenge remains mastering the immediate recovery of focus and calm amidst such unpredictable, high-pressure environments. Although she is skilled at masking this internal “wobble,” her primary goal is achieving mental stillness to match her physical presence.

“Fortunately, these fluctuations can be masked. But how to quickly find a state of focus and calm on stage is what I must constantly address,” she admitted.

Yau’s insights offer a rare look behind the curtain of demanding live entertainment, dispelling the myth of purely spontaneous genius and underscoring the intense psychological training necessary for maintaining professional composure. Her comments resonate particularly with emerging artists navigating the transition from practice to high-stakes, real-time performance, emphasizing that excellence often stems from meticulously managed internal crises rather than the absence of stress. As Yau continues her ascent, her commitment to interpreting complex, evolving musical styles ensures she remains a dynamic force in Asia’s pop landscape.