Check out our interview with filmmaker and singer Basia Mallet (also known as Cybr), whose journey with music began alongside her TikTok famous grandad Charles Mallet (4.7M) who recently passed away from complications that arose from Alzheimer’s and Dementia.
When Charles was still alive, he and Cybr cultivated a substantial social media following, garnering over 4.7 million fans. Cybr developed a deep connection to music while taking care of Charles as she noticed the profound impact it had on his condition: specific melodies and lyrics had a transformative effect on him. Charles encouraged her to explore music, but, tragically, her first release followed his passing. Cybr released “Life Without You” days after his funeral.
Cyber also made her directorial debut with the documentary film “The Questions I Ask Dementia,” starring Charles. The film earned numerous awards from film festivals across the country.
Follow Cybr @basiamallet
Hi Basia, please tell us a little about you?
My name is Basia Mallet, my artist name is Cybr and I am 17 years old. I live in Inglewood, California. I’m a content creator, actress, musician, filmmaker, makeup artist, and artist. I love creating so much, because it gives me freedom to express certain feelings that I have, and when I’m creating, it always feels like I’m perfect because there is no mistakes in art. I’m a night owl, I’m not a fan of the day time at all, I might be nocturnal. I love animals especially dogs. I’m not a big fan of school, it’s never really been my thing. In my opinion it takes away a kids motivation to be creative and it kind of dulls down any dream that a kid has to be what they really want to be. Also, last but not least I’m a Scorpio, I was born on October 26th.
Describe your sound in 3 words?
Relatable, timely, and impactful.
Who influenced you and why did you choose to make music?
Well, my father has a background in music and I’ve always been interested in it since I was very little. I would write raps or make up songs with beats off of YouTube and show my mom. But the person who gave me confirmation that making music was supposed to be in my career path is my Grandpa. You can hear an audio clip of him encouraging me in my new single “Life Without You”
Do you play any instrument?
Not as of right now, but when I was younger I had guitar lessons, and I used to play the keyboard.
Do you ever get nervous?
Yes, everyday. I’m always nervous about everything.
Tell us about your new single “Life Without You?”
“Life Without You” is a tribute song to my grandfather who recently passed.
What’s the story behind the song?
My grandpa passed away on September 4th this year, so when I knew his time was getting short I wanted to make something that people could sing along to that would help his memory live on. My grandpa was truly one of a kind, and I have never met someone like him. I want his legacy to live on forever because even tho he’s not here physically, his spirit is, and his work that he’s done will never be forgotten.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?
I would say there are a lot of perks that come with making an impact, but my favorite one is when I get messages from people thanking me for posting videos about my grandpa. People always say that he would remind them of their grandpa or grandma, and what I think is so special is my grandpa gained such a big fan base that he became TikTok’s grandpa. He has so much love to share and it’s so cool that the people on TikTok became like family because if there were any hard times, his supporters would send prayers. If there was an accomplishment that he made, they would be there to cheer him on. So I loved seeing my grandpa make an impact and I loved helping him to get to where he was.
How was your relationship with your TikTok famous grandad Charles Mallet?
We had a very good relationship, and he was like my my dad. We grew closer once social media became something that we both did together. It was crazy that I had found someone from such a different generation that would collab with my generation, (Gen Z). I believe he was a voice for a lot of the silent generation, along with a representation that age doesn’t define the amount of success that you can achieve. He definitely loved all of his supporters and he loved spending time with me because I could see a huge difference in the person he was when the cameras were on.
Now tell us about how did you get started into filming and directing?
My mom always had me around such creative people since a very early age. To me the sky was and still is the limit, I was never told that I couldn’t do anything. I found it hard to sometimes express verbally how I was feeling in certain situations, so when I would pull out my camera and make videos it was like I was able to communicate, in a way that I had never felt. All of my emotions that I feel and everything that I have to say I put into my videos which translated into making longer videos such as short films, I am so excited that my documentary will be coming out at the end of this year.
Tell us about your documentary film “The Questions I Ask Dementia?”
My grandpa had Dementia and Alzheimer’s for around eight years, and when I was little I didn’t understand the disease at all. It seemed as if there was a divide between my grandpa and I because his mind was constantly somewhere else, and as time went on I understood that his biggest battle was his mind. I wanted to tap into his POV, of how he saw the world and the genuine questions he would ask. But I also wanted to educate people who may not know the severity of having such a life-changing disease for not only the patient but the family as well.
What other projects you have been part of?
I have worked on a few films, a television pilot and a music video.
What book should every entrepreneur read?
Rich Dad Poor Dad.
What advice would you give to your younger self and why?
Don’t be afraid to try new things! That’s how you create experience in life, and that’s how you live and learn. Also, It’s very important that you make mistakes because that’s how you grow and learn to be better. Don’t be afraid to try new things and don’t be afraid to make mistakes.
How would your best friend describe you?
Probably as a crazy, but creative person, that loves to make people laugh.
If you are a book, what would be the title of the book and why?
“Let Me Be Myself”, because I’m always saying that. That is my go to saying because when I am able to be myself I’m able to blossom, and truly be create and make an impact.
What’s next for Basia Mallet aka Cybr in the last months of 2023 and for 2024?
I have a documentary coming out soon, probably at the end of 2023, going into 2024, more music, and more social media content!
What is your favorite healthy food?
The Chicken and Kale Caesar Salad from Trader Joe’s.
And your favorite cheat food?
Pringles, and red vines are so good. My cheat meals change all the time, but right now I really do like Pringles and red vines.
How would you explain your fashion style?
I’m really into fashion, I love art and I love the fact that style is also another form of self expression. I would say comfortable but also a bit alternative, with a hint of edge.
What is your own definition of happiness?
Love. I love, love. I love giving love. I love talking about love. Love is an energy that changes the way people interact with one another. I feel the most love when I’m with my mom. She gives me all kinds of love, tough love too. My grandpa would do the same, and as I get older, I’m really blessed to be able to experience love with others in the world. I probably would not have achieved the things that I have without love because when you love someone typically you support them. I have tons of amazing people around me who support me in everything I do.
If you could meet someone living or dead, who would it be and why?
I would love to meet Lana Del Rey, because I really do love her. I think her music is very beautiful, and so is she, and I feel like she has a lot of wisdom and fashion advice that I could benefit from.
What would be the dream holiday, and who would you go with?
I would love to go on a holiday with Alexa Demie, I feel like she would be super fun to hang out with and I feel like going to New York with her would be super fun!
Best advice ever given?
To be yourself. My grandpa always used to say be yourself and don’t care about what others have to say. I took that saying to heart, because I truly don’t care. I’m just myself, I use my art to express how I feel and I don’t think about if this person or that person will like it because
Do you support any charity?
The Alzheimer’s Association of Los Angeles
Where do you see yourself and your career in 5 years from now?
I see myself making a difference and inspiring more people than I already have with my work. My end goal with everything I do is to make a difference because there a select few of people that I look up to in the media who have changed the way I view life, and I would love to be that for others. Hopefully, in the next 5 years I will have already gone on tour and I have a few TV Show projects in the works right now so hopefully those will be out, and I’ll just be working as hard as I can.
What is you favorite song to belt out in the car/for karaoke?
Right now I would say anything Lana Del Rey, I love her music and her coquette style.
What do you think of Social Media?
I think two things of social media. One, I think social media is a talent show. It’s a place where people from all over the world show off what they do best. There are a variety of people with talents, different types of art, different lifestyles, and so much more. That’s what I think the beauty of social media is, and it’s almost like your own little media company. You produce the content that you want to put out there. It’s also a place where I have met a lot of my friends that do the same work as me. It can be a really positive place, but with every positive comes a negative. There are people on there that don’t see the creativity in what people do and feel the need to comment on it. Everyone has an opinion but not everyone needs to know it, especially if it’s negative. There are people in the world that will intentionally go out of there way to be mean, which is super sad. This world is already so polluted with negativity why not spread positivity? But hey, that’s the world we live in.
Where we can follow you?
You can follow me on Instagram: @basiamallet and my other Instagram: @2000povs this is where I do my makeup content, and on TikTok at @2000povs
Quote: “Be Yourself” ~ My Grandpa
Book: A 14 Year Old’s Fight With Dementia and Alzheimer’s written by me basiasbook.com
Movie: All The Bright Places
Tv Series: Euphoria
Favorite Food: Anything my mom makes
Travel Destination: Japan
Sports Team: Portland Trail Blazers
