Cover Story: Singaporean Celebutant Glenn Yong Aims to be a Better Man
After a swift and powerful ascent, Singaporean celebutant Glenn Yong is changing gears to a more comfortable pace. The overachiever’s still got big dreams, but now he’s going to enjoy himself on his way to realising them
Energetic, ambitious, and empowered by a fanbase that’s equally loud in person as on social media, Glenn Yong shot to stardom in a relatively short amount of time. The Singaporean actor and singer has lofty goals, and he’s certainly not afraid to reach for them. But where some might lose their sense of self in the pursuit of their dreams, this isn’t an issue for Yong. Having achieved a lot in the four or five years — it’s hard to pinpoint — since his unconventional start as a TikTok sensation, the 27-year-old is now reassessing and recalibrating his journey. These days, he’s exuding all the zen you might expect from someone with less to prove, and he’s feeling good about it.
Hi Glenn! We’re more than halfway through the year, how is 2024 treating you?
I’d say it’s been enlightening. This year, I discovered what truly matters to me and what doesn’t. It’s also a year where I made the decision to reprioritise things in my life and learn more about myself. I started 2024 feeling overwhelmed and burnt out. I wasn’t enjoying life and I just felt so tired and dreaded going through every day. But now, I’m grateful for so many things. I’m really happy to have great people around me and I feel so blessed and contented. I’m definitely starting to live in the moment more, rather than just always looking and planning ahead.
You were recently in Beijing to promote the release of I Not Stupid 3 across China. Have you ever thought about expanding overseas for work?
Yes, for sure. That has always been my dream, and I’ve been working towards it for the past few years, trying to build a presence not just in Singapore but also regionally and internationally. Hollywood, the Oscars, the Grammys, Netflix and Disney+, as well as China — these are definitely platforms and places I want to experience and be a part of. Whether it’s films, TV series or music, I’d love to work on overseas projects and expand my creativity and skillset.
You’ve come a long way since your TikTok days. How is the person you are today different from when you first started out?
I’m definitely very different today compared to back then. Back then, I was more naive — full of energy, zeal, and passion. I had a chip on my shoulder and felt like I had a lot to prove. I was also more emotional and sensitive, easily affected by others’ comments and opinions. I was heavily invested in the hustle culture and mentality. Today, I’m calmer, more confident, and secure about myself. I know my worth, my boundaries, and my values. I’m okay with saying no and no longer feel the need to be a people-pleaser.
While I’m still ambitious and have big dreams, I no longer let my achievements or success determine my happiness or define who I am. I can be happy even if I haven’t yet achieved my goals or dreams, because I now understand that the journey matters more than the destination. I’m more aware of my mental and emotional well-being, and focus more on happiness and the people around me. I feel more at peace.
With your sudden rise to fame, what’s the biggest change you’ve had to navigate?
I couldn’t come to terms with the loss of privacy until recently. I remember reaching a point where I was so miserable that I started complaining to my close friends and family, saying I couldn’t live or function like a normal person anymore. That made me incredibly sad. There were days when I didn’t feel like smiling or socialising, but I had no choice because that’s the nature of my job. I began to go out less and order more food delivery due to the anxiety of being in public and feeling watched.
One day it hit me: everything I have today was once a dream that I had worked hard to achieve. Rather than feeling dread or resentment, I shifted my perspective towards appreciation and gratitude. I told myself to turn it into something positive and meaningful. That way, I can live happier and make the most of what I cannot control, transforming it into something great. This change in perspective allowed me to spread more positivity and love. Now, I make every brief encounter, whether with strangers or people I have short conversations with, meaningful. Every photo I take, every signature I sign, every time I listen to someone’s story or offer encouragement — it takes so little on my part but it can truly make someone’s day. I choose to focus on that.
“HONESTLY, I JUST WANT TO BE HAPPY LIVING LIFE.”
There was a time when you couldn’t escape Yong. His handsome mug (certified by TC Candler) was everywhere — on film and television, magazine covers, and social media. That was back in 2022, when a breakthrough role in Jack Neo’s Ah Girls Go Army finally pushed him to the wider public consciousness. But being an upstart with big dreams rubbed certain people the wrong way, not only without but also within the industry. His run-ins with naysayers are well documented. It’s just as well that Yong has the tremendous fortitude to stomach all the negativity, to push past it and focus on the things that truly matter. Perhaps that is what makes him the real deal.
Did anyone teach you how to handle fame?
Nah, you kinda learn through experience. A lot of people tried to share their own experiences and opinions with me, but ultimately, it’s your own path and journey. Everyone is different and experiences different things, so you just gotta trust your instincts. What worked for someone else may not work for you.
Fame is fleeting — today, you can be on top, and tomorrow, nobody cares. So take it easy, enjoy the moment while it lasts, but don’t let it define who you are. Everyone has their time, their ups and downs. You just gotta remember that nothing is forever.
It’s no secret that you’ve had your share of detractors.
You can’t please everyone, so you’re bound to have haters and critics, or people who just don’t see eye to eye with you. That’s fine, I don’t think I’m the only one who experiences this. [Laughs]
Do you believe in standing up for yourself or turning the other cheek?
It really depends on the situation and the topic. As I’ve grown, I’ve learned that you don’t need to win or participate in every single battle. Sometimes, it’s better to lose the battle but win the war, you know? I’m at the point now where even if someone tells me ‘1+1 = 10’, I’ll be like ‘Yeah, sure.’ I can’t really be bothered to argue anymore.
How do you stay optimistic in the face of criticism?
I accept and know that I’m not perfect; I have my flaws, mistakes and weaknesses. They make me who I am today, and I’m pretty damn proud of myself for not giving up. Proud of all the hard work, all the blood, sweat and tears that people don’t see. Having said that, it doesn’t mean I don’t take constructive criticism. After all, I still want to continue to grow, improve, and become better as a person, as an artiste, and in my craft.
Acting, singing, fashion and even activism — it’s clear that Yong has diverse interests. That’s the norm for most young creatives today. Scrolling through his Instagram feed, you’d see that it’s populated with the biggest brands. He’s been to multiple fashion weeks, and he fits right in with the international stars. It seems like Yong’s on the right track, even though it may not be as meticulously defined as before. “Honestly, I just want to be happy living life.” Say no more, fam.
You’re a regular at fashion events. What’s your relationship with fashion and style?
I’ve always said that fashion is a way I express myself, and it can change depending on the day or season of my life. My style from a few years back is very different from today, perhaps because of the stage of life I’m currently in. I used to dress pretty loud, with oversized tees, colours, and accessories on my neck and wrists. Nowadays, I dress more simply — classy and elegant. I wear a lot more shirts and suits (fashionably, of course) than oversized tees, but I still kinda miss that style on my off days.
How important is image to you?
It’s still pretty important because impression counts, vibe matters.
Share one guilty pleasure of yours that people might be surprised to learn about.
I love eating Petai, like the ones they cook with sambal chilli and prawn or minced meat. The only bad thing is it stinks up your breath, and taking a leak or breaking wind becomes deadly because of the smell!
It’s date night and you’re cooking. What’s on the menu? Baked salmon with cheese, garlic, chilli, lemon and some black beans.
You also have an interest in advocacy and activism. What is one cause you’re championing right now?
Cancer awareness. Personally, my grandfather passed away from lung cancer, which devastated me because we were close when I was younger. As I grew up, a few of my close friends also had to battle the disease, and witnessing their tough journey deeply impacted me. I want to do everything within my means to educate people more about cancer and the preventive measures they can take. That can potentially save many lives.
Do you have a goal that you’re working towards these days, or are you taking it one day at a time?
Honestly, I just want to be happy living life. A few years ago, I had an entire bucket list of things I wanted to achieve, but as I grew older I realised a lot of them don’t matter as much as I thought they would. For sure, I still have goals of going to a bigger stage in my career, whether it’s films or music, but I want to be doing it happily every single day.
Finally, what is the one change you’d like to see in yourself?
Being more authentic with my thoughts and feelings. Perhaps it’s because I’m sensitive to the needs of people around me, so I try to meet them and please everyone. But I want to be more comfortable with saying no and being at peace. That’s something I’m still working on right now.
Photography STEFAN KHOO
Styling FELIX WOEI
Grooming ZOEL TEE using KEUNE and CHARLOTTE TILBURY
Photography assistant ALIF
Styling assistant SHANNAHLETTE JENN LIM
