Desmond Tan on Stepping Into His Next Chapter
As one of Singapore’s most recognisable actors, Desmond Tan built his career on versatility, acclaimed performances, and being effortlessly stylish.
Desmond Tan has become one of Singapore’s defining men of this generation. Over more than a decade, the actor has built a career on versatility, balancing acclaimed performances with an effortless sense of style that has made him just a favourite among luxury brands alike.
This year marks another milestone. At the Star Awards, Tan took home Best Actor (his first win in eight years), while receiving his 10th Top 10 Most Popular Male Artistes accolade, earning him the coveted All-Time Favourite Artiste title. This situates him amongst the greats of his generation, particularly during a time of rapid changes within the industry.
In the next few months, the 39-year-old will be busy with two big projects slated for release. He’s returning to the big screen after a seven-year hiatus in Pace. For the role, he gained 10kg as part of his transformation into Malcolm, a middle-aged ex-convict. In November, he’ll be starring in The Leftovers, a dystopian thriller drama, in the role of a villain.
19 years into his acting journey, he doesn’t think it’s time to rest on his laurels just yet. Rather, he leans into constantly learning and evolving. For his GQHype cover, Tan shares about how his experience with and of success has evolved over time.
On how he’s grown personally:
“I used to chase perfection in everything. Now I’ve learnt that growth comes from mistakes, detours and imperfect moments. That mindset has made me kinder to myself and helped me focus on what truly matters: family, relationships and living in the moment.”
On what it means to be truthful and authentic in his acting:
“Acting isn’t about pretending. It’s about finding truth in every moment. Even after 19 years, I’m still fascinated by people and constantly learning from human behaviour and emotions.”
On his tendency to overthink and how he’s transmuted that into something that serves him well:
“I used to see [overthinking] as a weakness because it could be exhausting. But as an actor, it helps me understand emotions, motivations and human behaviour on a deeper level. What once felt like a burden has become one of my greatest tools.”
Photography Jin Long Yang
Creative Director Jenine Oh
Stylist Kevin Tew
Grooming Alison Tay
Production Coco / C•Side Production (Production management), Yoyo and Yijie Zheng
Photography assistance Westeat Lab
Fashion Polo Ralph Lauren, Louis Vuitton, Acne Studios
