M'sian Influencer Walks Off FB Livestream After Netizens Criticise Her Keyboard-Playing

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Cathryn Li, famous on Instagram for her fitness and lifestyle content with almost two million followers, was invited for a chat on a Facebook live talk show called FaceTalk by local music producer Andy Chan on 8 March.

The 31-year-old is a known piano player to her followers and often posts videos of herself playing classical music.

In good spirit, she played a song with them on the keyboard, but after seeing she was not familiar with the contemporary songs they were choosing, she declined Chan's next invitation and went back to sit at the table to listen.

While they continued jamming, Li can be seen scrolling on her phone when her expression visibly darkened.

The hosts told her she did not have to bother about them and that it was okay.

However, she got more agitated and said that people were scolding her for not knowing how to play the keyboard properly.

"But now people are scolding me. You asked me not to care about what people are saying, but they are not talking about you, they are talking about me," she lamented to them.

Li also read out one of the particular comments that affected her, it said: "A person who likes music should easily blend into song, instrument, or any music. But seems that she has no interest at all."

Other netizens said her playing was awkward and faulted her for not knowing the chords.

"I sit at the keyboard, people scold me. I sit here, people ask me what I'm doing. So should I just sit there [behind the camera]?!" she exclaimed and stormed off.

Although the hosts tried to calm her down and told her she also received a lot of praise in the comments, Li did not regain composure.

"You told me it's a talk show and not a live music session. I am just a classical pianist, I'm sorry I don't know any pop songs," she ranted in frustration off-screen.

She also alluded to being traumatised from the backlash from a previous incident.

After she refused to return onscreen, the host and crew apologised to their viewers and wrapped up the show.

"I should have shown more restraint in the face of such ridiculous attacks against me. I should have just smiled through it. I really regret losing control over my emotions," she wrote in an Instagram post on 10 March.

Li then emphasised that everyone enjoys music differently and asked others not to impose their ideal on others that a great musician must be able to play all kinds of music.

She reiterated that she enjoyed playing classical music and has no interest in playing in a band.

"Have you heard about the stories about an old man, a boy, and a donkey? No matter what you do, people will have something to say. Just ignore and don't take it seriously. Be yourself," said a Facebook user.

Someone else said, "The hosts are the ones with the low emotional quotient (EQ). A bunch of guys who kept pushing aside her feelings and constantly justifying the situation."

"This host puts people on the spot and failed to observe her discomfort. When she got caught up with her emotions under pressure, he commented don't be too serious. How unreasonable!" said another netizen.

You can watch the full video here.