TWO of Malaysia’s most influential personalities, Diana Danielle and Joe Flizzow, were honoured at the 10th ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Carnival 2025 for their remarkable contributions in merging creativity, entrepreneurship and social impact.
In a statement, the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Council (AYEC) announced that Diana received the Best Content Creator and Performance Award, while Joe Flizzow was recognised as the Best Hip-Hop Entrepreneur.
The recognition celebrates their success in bridging the worlds of art and business, inspiring a new generation of creative talents across the ASEAN region.
AYEC 2025 Chairperson and Founding Chair of the ASEAN Young Women Entrepreneurs Club (AYWEC), Deborah Melissa Bottreau, said both honourees embody the bold, creative and globally minded spirit of the new ASEAN generation.
“They’ve proven that culture and business can go hand in hand in driving regional transformation,” she said.
Both Diana and Joe received their awards during the ASEAN Young Entrepreneurs Gala Dinner and Awards Ceremony held recently at MATRADE Kuala Lumpur. The event was officiated by Deputy Minister of Youth and Sports, Adam Adli, and attended by Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Muhammad Iskandar Ri’ayatuddin Shah and his wife, Tengku Natasya Puteri Tengku Adnan.
Diana was celebrated for her evolution from silver-screen star to dynamic multi-platform creative entrepreneur. Her dedication to producing meaningful and authentic content has inspired millions of followers while highlighting social and mental health issues close to her heart.
Joe Flizzow, meanwhile, was recognised for his vision and leadership in shaping Malaysia’s urban music landscape and elevating it onto the regional stage. Through Kartel Records, mentorship programmes and cross-border collaborations, Joe continues to strengthen the creative economy across Southeast Asia.
What began a decade ago as a small youth innovation platform has now grown into one of the region’s most anticipated gatherings.
The night’s celebration was not merely about honouring achievements in business and the arts—it also carried a powerful message: the future of ASEAN’s economy lies not only in technology and trade, but also in the strength of storytelling, creativity and culture.
