Spotlight On YAFies: Sarah Kim and Farah Kim-Naghdy

Sarah Kim and Farah Kim-Naghdy
Performers with WestK x HKYAF: Miller Performing Arts – Likes & Lies 

This month’s Spotlight features Sarah Kim and her daughter, Farah Kim-Naghdy, who perform together as mother and daughter in this year’s flagship musical, WestK x HKYAF: Miller Performing Arts – Likes & Lies.

What made you want to be part of Likes & Lies?
Sarah: As an influencer/KOL, I see firsthand how carefully curated images and stories can shape the way people see and judge you. 
That’s why Likes & Lies resonated with me – it’s not just a musical, it’s a mirror. My role in the production is very different from who I am in real life, but I loved stepping into it because it highlights a reality many families face: how easy it is to feel distant, even when technology makes us seem more informed and connected.

Farah: My incredible experience with Gen Last last year showed me how a cast can become a family and be united by a shared passion. That’s something I knew I wanted to find again. With Likes & Lies, it was the powerful relevance of the story itself that drew me in. Exploring the modern tension between our online personas and authentic selves is a struggle our generation navigates daily. Likes & Lies holds up a mirror to our lives, whether we’re in the audience or on stage.

As a real-life mother and daughter, what is it like playing mother and daughter in Likes & Lies?
Sarah: My character is distant, distracted, almost larger than life – nothing like the parent I strive to be. I often tell my children they only get one childhood. Despite my unconventional ways of parenting, having grown up with parents who drifted in and out of my life, I vowed not to miss out on theirs. 
My scene was pre-filmed, so I’m not actually on stage with Farah, but I can’t wait to see how our performances intersect. 
It’s a reminder that even a distorted mirror can reflect the quiet, undeniable truths of what children really feel when their parents aren’t fully present.

Farah: It’s an interesting experience because even though our roles in the musical echo our real-life relationship, I think of Savannah’s mum as someone completely different from my mum. It’s interesting to be able to explore different dynamics between mother and daughter.

The musical explores how social media shapes identity and relationships. How do you personally relate to that theme?
Sarah: I live in the influencer space, so I understand the pull to curate a perfect version of your life. At the same time, as a mother, I see how this impacts teenagers – the pressure, the comparisons, the feeling that your worth is measured by likes. That’s why I loved this script: it doesn’t demonise social media, but it does ask us to question who we are when the filters come off.

Farah: For me, it’s less about being fake and more about how we’ve started to package our realness. I’ve noticed with my own friends that sometimes a deep, vulnerable conversation will be punctuated by someone saying, “This would make a great TikTok.” And in that moment, the intimacy changes. You become aware of the audience. You’re not just sharing with your friend anymore; you’re co-creating a narrative of your friendship for others.

What are you hoping to take away from Likes & Lies?
Sarah: What I’m hoping to take away is the power of collaboration. This show bridges generations and perspectives, and even though my role was filmed, being part of that dialogue has been inspiring. Some of the stereotypes are so over-the-top they made me laugh – they’re almost cringy at times – but that’s what makes them compelling. By leaning into the exaggeration, the story shines a light on truths we all recognise. And that mix of humour and honesty makes theatre like this so powerful. It entertains us while sparking real reflection and, hopefully, change.

Farah: By stepping into Savannah’s world, I’ve seen reflections of myself and my peers. The key thing I’ll take away is the understanding that social media sometimes amplifies our differences, but in reality, these issues with social media are something everyone goes through – one shared experience with different shades. 

Farah, are there any traits that you personally identify with Savannah?
One thing that’s interesting with Savannah is her constant recalibration. She has a “script” for every audience which she adjusts accordingly. She constantly performs a tweaked version of herself with whoever she’s with. In that split second of hesitation before she speaks or types, you can see her calculating, “Which Savannah do they want right now?” It’s almost like a survival mechanism, feeling the need to fit into spaces that others have already allocated for her. 

Sarah, what challenges do you think parents face when communicating with their children in this digital age?
I think the hardest part for parents today is cutting through the noise. Children are surrounded by constant notifications, trends, and online chatter, and we’re competing with a world that never switches off. 
As parents, we aren’t just raising kids anymore, we’re raising children who’ve grown up entirely online as digital natives. The challenge isn’t just the about Gen Z language, or setting rules, it’s about building trust, and making sure our kids know they can come to us without any fear of judgement, even in a world that’s always watching.

Sarah, what advice would you give to young actors and their parents?
To young actors, I’d say, stay authentic and push yourself outside your comfort zone. Experiment without the fear of failure – that’s how you grow. 
To parents, support without being a helicopter parent. Your role is to be your child’s biggest cheerleader, not their co-star – tempting though that may be!