With new Star Awards wins and a beefier build, it’s been a pleasure to watch this Singaporean actor grow into his own.

<a href="https://www.hommessingapore.com/style/cover-story-tyler-ten-is-the-stepping-into-the-spotlight" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The last we spoke with Ten</a>, he’d just bagged his first wins at Star Awards 2025. That was nearly a year ago; we wonder if he remembers. “Of course I remember the shoot,” the actors chirps. “I see you’ve gotten <a href="https://www.hommessingapore.com/living/mens-wellness-habits-best-fitness-grooming-tips-new-years-resolution" target="_blank" rel="noopener">fitter</a>.” That surprising compliment points to the subtle shift in our conversation this time around: he’s more at ease, forthcoming even. We’re slowing peeling back the layers of Ten’s stoic front.

What’s the most exciting thing that has happened to you since we last spoke? The obvious one would be the recent Star Awards. Receiving recognition there has been a real milestone for me. More than being recognised for my hard work, it reminded me that the journey is worth it.
Congratulations again on your Star Awards wins. How do you plan to keep the momentum going? Awards are very encouraging, but I always remind myself that it’s just the beginning. Whenever I receive an award, I try to forget about it the next day. Ultimately, we’re all just actors, still trying to prove ourselves and create better works for the audience.
When did your interest in acting begin? It started with Star Search in 2019. That was an unexpected moment in my life because I never planned to participate. In a way, I feel fate brought me into this industry.
What made you take the leap? I was actually scouted on the street, and fortunately that meant I didn’t have to go through the public audition process. I probably wouldn’t have dared to walk onto a stage and audition in front of a crowd. As an introvert, I’ve always disliked being the centre of attention.

What’s striking about Ten, beyond his strong bone structure and muscular build, is his reserved demeanour. We’ve noticed it during our interactions and at public events. It’s not a bad thing per se, just unusual in an industry dominated by outgoing personalities. In fact, this quiet masculinity is refreshing. We think it suits him.
We’ve noticed you’re relatively reserved in person. I grew up in an environment where men were expected to be tough. We were taught to keep our feelings inside and never show weakness. I was also bullied when I was younger, which is partly why I took up martial arts and fitness. It helped me build confidence in myself.
Do you find being introverted challenging in an industry that often expects people to be outgoing? Definitely, especially during public events and interviews. But I’ve developed a switch that I can turn on so that I no longer feel shy or pressured in front of the camera. Over the years, I’ve learned to separate my private life from my job.
What’s the craziest rumour you’ve ever heard about yourself? Some people think I’m cold or cocky because I can come across as distant at first. That’s probably the biggest misconception I’ve heard.
You turned 30 this year. What’s something you thought you would have figured out by now? Before joining the industry, I always thought I’d have a family by 30. That’s no longer the plan, so I’ve had to adjust my expectations a little. But honestly, I’m enjoying the journey. These days, I don’t like planning too far ahead. I’m just enjoying the ride and seeing what comes along.

Tyler wears tank top by Prada; denim pants by Fendi; and Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points South watch by Vacheron Constantin

Alongside his acting career, Ten is an unapologetic fitness buff. Arriving on set in a black tank top and sweats, he looks noticeably beefier, and he carries that physicality well on his 1.9m frame. Recently, he’s developed an interest in traditional Chinese medicine, shifting his priorities from appearance to overall wellbeing.
How strict are you with your fitness regimen these days? Not as strict as before. During filming periods, I used to cut out carbs completely and do a lot of cardio. Looking back, it was pretty extreme. Now I train for health rather than appearance. I’ve learned that nutrition is important. Your body needs fuel, so it’s about finding good sources of carbohydrates and fats rather than cutting them out completely.
I’ve also become more interested in wellness and traditional Chinese medicine. Recently, I’ve been practising yangsheng and making herbal brews with ingredients like red dates, goji berries and apples to improve my qi and overall wellbeing
You’ve been travelling to Thailand for Muay Thai training. I’ve always wanted to train in Thailand. When I was younger, my parents wouldn’t allow it because they thought it was dangerous. Now that I’m older and can afford to travel, I’ve started going whenever I have the opportunity.
What do you gain from martial arts besides fitness? Resilience, humility, discipline. Discipline is especially important because it’s easy to lose motivation once you become comfortable. Discipline is what gets you out of bed, what gets you in the gym, what keeps you consistent. Without it, everything else starts to fall apart.

Overall, Ten appears to be in a good place. He’s steadily building his acting credentials, and is a resolute advocate for healthy living. What more can we ask of the man? As he continues to grow from strength to strength, he remains focused on one simple thing: becoming a little better than he was yesterday.
What else has been on your mind lately? Travel. I’ve actually never been outside of Asia before, so I’d love to visit Europe. Paris is at the top of my list. I’ve always wanted to explore Europe properly, but you need time for that kind of trip. Hopefully I’ll be able to make it happen soon.
If you had to rate your life right now out of 10, what score would you give it? I’d say 7.5. I’ve achieved many of the things I wanted to achieve at this stage, but there’s still a lot of room for improvement. Giving myself a score of 7.5 reminds me that I’m nowhere near perfect, and that’s okay. The goal is simply to become better than I was yesterday.
Any specific goals you’re working towards right now? Continuing to improve my craft and hopefully finding more opportunities overseas.
Finally, what would you give a “10 out of 10”? Peace of mind. Singaporeans are so used to chasing success, recognition and the next achievement that we sometimes forget to slow down. For me, a “10 out of 10” means having a good night’s sleep, finding my own pace and being able to quiet my mind. That’s actually harder than people think.

Photography STEFAN KHOO Styling TOK WEI LUN Grooming HAZEL TAN / MAKEUP ENTOURAGE using REVLON PROFESSIONAL and CHANEL BEAUTY Photography assistant ALIF Styling assistant CRYSTAL LIM

Cover Story: Revisiting Tyler Ten

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