This article originally appeared in the Summer 2024 Champion Issue of Showstopper Magazine.
Growing up in Singapore to Austrian parents, Lilo Baier always dreamed of moving to Los Angeles to pursue her passions in “a city filled with opportunities.” But without citizenship, there were quite a few obstacles in her way. “[It] seemed to be only a dream,” Lilo told us. “Being younger than most applicants, it took a very long time to get the materials in order. But I kept persevering and imagining my life there.” Finally, at 13, Lilo and her family made it happen, and she now lives and works in LA.
The spark that ignited the flame for her American dream came when Lilo did her first ballet show at 4 years old. “I loved it so much that I told my parents that I want to be on stage for the rest of my life,” she expressed. Now, Lilo has toured internationally with musicals and plays, performed in front tf the Singaporean President with David Beckham, and won first place in the international vocal competition. American Protégé, performed at Carnegie Hall, became a semi-finalist on the German TV show The Voice Kids, and has had the lead role in a few TV shows! And she’s only just beginning.
Carnegie Hall
Born to perform, Lilo has had many opportunities in the spotlight, but there’s one that’s never left her memory. “My performance at Carnegie Hall is a moment in my life that I will never forget,” she gushed. Her win at American Protégé brought her to this prestigious venue—an opportunity she wasn’t sure she’d ever have. “When I auditioned for [the competition], I didn’t think that I would have a chance, as I was a young girl who lived in Singapore. So when I found out that I won first place in an international vocal competition…I was in disbelief. I had the opportunity to sing in a huge performance hall with a full audience of people. The acoustics were so amazing, as it was just my voice and one piano on the stage. It was a dream come true. When I received the actual award, I hung it up in my room straight after and never took it down.”
Finding Her Voice
Despite her experiences, Lilo admits high-profile performances can still be stressful. And her time on The Voice Kids was one experience that really tested her resolve. “Standing on that stage with a huge audience and four judges turned away from me was definitely nerve-wracking,” she admitted, “but when the lights turned to focus on me, I knew it was go-time. As soon as I sang the first note, all my nervousness faded way, and I felt energized. When all four of the judges turned around at the same time, that fueled me even more!”
“…but when the lights turned to focus on me, I knew it was go time. As soon as I sang the first note, all my nervousness faded away and i felt energized.”
The resilience she gained from the show has equipped her with a routine for high-pressure situations. “Before every performance, I always make sure to sleep early the night before, eat a full breakfast, lunch, and dinner, and drink a lot of water,” she explained. “Then, right before going on stage, I take a few deep breaths and shake out my nerves. Once I step on stage and the adrenaline kicks in, I let loose and just have fun.”
Musical Theater
Lilo loves to perform, so it’s no surprise she’s also in musical theater. For her, being in a musical is more than just performing. “I prefer doing musicals because I can bring my character to life and create a separate world for them,” she remarked. “For a musical, it’s really about the story—where every number or scene connects to the next.” This means Lilo’s approach to her performance is quite a bit different than it is for competitions. “The preparation for a musical is much more intense,” she said. Between rehearsals and memorizing the whole show, there is a lot of work that goes into the role. But she wouldn’t trade it for anything. “Being on stage and getting to tell a story is my favorite thing about musical theater. It is so magical. I love being able to see the world through different eyes and connect to all the other actors on stage!”
Dance Background
While Lilo’s current career revolves mostly around signing, she actually started it with dance! “I did ballet and jazz classes and instantly fell in love with it,” she exclaimed. While she’s stopped taking classes, her love of dance is still very much present, and she uses her skills every time she performs. “I find that every art form influences the other. THey’re all connect,” she shared. Because singing involves movement and there is choreography involved in musicals, Lilo believes her background in dance has helped her to become a better singer and actor.
Lilo’s Favs
Her Fav Acting Role
“I was cast as the lead Page in Ollie and Friends, one of the leading kids’ TV shows in Southeast Asia when I was 9 years old. This project hanged my life because it started my love for being in front of the camera. It was my first time being on a film set, and I learned so much about the industry. I learned how green screen worked, all the different cameras and angles, and a lot about the editing process and the director’s job. I became close with my cast and crew really quickly and we all had fun every single day on set. I will forever miss filming that show!”
Her Fav Musical Role
“The international touring production of Cinderella holds a special place in my heart. It was not my first touring musical, but it was my first time getting a bigger role in one. I was only 9 years old and performed a solo in front of a couple thousand people. I only had a few weeks to rehearse my part, and I was so happy every night when I walked through the stage door to get ready.”
Flexibility
Dance helped Lilo improve her artistry and physical flexibility, but she attributes her success to mental flexibility. “I’ve been around many different cultures, countries, and languages,” Lilo explained. “Because of this, I’ve learned that in my rt I have to be flexible, try out new things, and always be curious. Having a global perspective has let me be surrounded by so many different people from all over the world. I have a very diverse perspective when I’m acting or singing.”
“HAving a global perspective has let me be surrounded by so many different people from all over the world. I have a very diverse perspective when i’m acting or singing.”
Lilo has accomplished quite a lot in her career so far, but she has no plans of slowing down. “My goal is to keep living my passion,” she remarked. “I would love to be working on different types of projects, whether that is a TV series, movie, or a Broadway show.” And her biggest goal? “To use the spark that people see when I’m performing to inspire others around me to become the best version of themselves.”
