Joshua Tan talks challenges in his career and his aspiration to break into Hollywood
With Hollywood soon to release Crazy Rich Asians, its first film with an all-Asian cast in 25 years – which also stars Singaporeans such as Pierre Png, Fiona Xie, Tan Kheng Hua and Selena Tan – it seems that Asian actors are making greater strides on the global stage – and Joshua Tan hopes to join their ranks some day.
But Tan, who is best known for playing Ken Chow in director Jack Neo’s Ah Boys to Men film franchise, will take things “one step at a time”.
“I think (Crazy Rich Asians) is a huge breakthrough for Asian actors in the world and to see some Singaporean actors joining the few who have made it to Hollywood would be really great,” Tan told Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore in a phone interview on Thursday (19 July).
“I know quite a few fellow actors who are in it, and a lot of the crew who worked on it. They were telling me their experiences on set,” Tan said, adding that he is “really excited” to see how the film would do in Singapore.
The 27-year-old was recently named the ambassador for R U Tough Enough, an upcoming competition organised by KIX HD and Singtel TV that tests participants’ physical, mental and emotional toughness.
The competition is open to all Singapore residents, and the final event in September will see 10 individuals take on a series of challenges for the title of “Singapore’s Toughest” and a $10,000 prize.
“This competition is about getting heartfelt stories from people who overcome huge obstacles in life. Hopefully, when they (Singaporeans) see the competition, they can be inspired to join it and share whatever stories they have,” said Tan.
Tan has faced his fair share of overcoming physical and mental challenges during his career.
He had to gain 20kg in weight to portray a chubby reservist in Ah Boys To Men 4, then lose 17kg again soon after that for his role in theatrical production Flying Through Time. He almost broke his neck while doing backflips during training for Flying Through Time.
A fitness enthusiast, Tan realised the importance of staying fit when he was gaining weight for the fourth instalment of Ah Boys to Men.
“That period was the only one that I wasn’t actually quite fit, so that kind of put things into perspective and made me realise ‘Oh, so this is how it feels like not being able to do certain things that I’m used to be able to doing’,” Tan said.
Tan also shared that although he feels “quite blessed” being in the entertainment industry, he has had to endure criticism regarding his acting following his leading role in the first Ah Boys to Men film.
“I kind of wish I was better (in the film), but I was doing my best at that point of time, considering I didn’t have any formal training or any prior experience. I did the best I could but obviously when you look back, you hope ‘Ahhh I wish I did it better’,” Tan said.
“But at the same time, I know I did my best so in a way, I am comforted by that and I know I couldn’t have done any better. I gave my best shot,” he added.
As for his future career aspirations, Tan is “really keen” in getting involved in more action movies.
“I’m working on doing more action work and hopefully one day, I can have my own action film,” he said.
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