Before you 'check out' your shopping cart with your friend's birthday gift, how about gifting a personalised birthday video from his/her favourite celebrity instead?

The thought of interacting with our idols used to seem like a far-fetched idea, but look no further because celebrity video platforms have turned this into reality. Think Masia One or Kex Tay singing your dad's childhood bop, or Ebi Shankara wishing your mom 'Happy Mother's Day' - fans can now reach Southeast Asian talents on celebrity video platform ACE. From actors, singers, drag queens, radio DJs, and more, ACE allows fans to book an artist at a price and a personalised video will be delivered to their inboxes within a few days.

ACE is not the first of celebrity video platforms. Featuring American and British stars from Snoop Dogg to Debbie Gibson and even Netflix's Tiger King star Carole Baskin, Cameo has dominated the US market since its debut in 2017, helping to bridge the gap between fans and their idols.

The platform also saw a surge in users and video requests while most of the world was under quarantine, as an attempt to make up for the lack of human connection for many. According to Cameo, living in isolation has seen an 800% growth in the number of users between April and May, with new talents joining the platform quadrupling in numbers. 

With ACE connecting Southeast Asian fans to artists closer to home, perhaps they may find some common ground to bond over, like telling a joke or two in their local dialect for grandma to hear.

Check out of the song requests fulfilled by singers Ming Bridges and Wallace Ang: