Hard Work Never Goes Unrewarded - Nat Ho ( Singaporean Actor )

Nat Ho is a Singer, Actor, and Model. His first foray into the Entertainment industry was as a Top 30 contestant in the inaugural Singapore Idol in 2004.

1. Tell us about your background and journey.

I started out back in 2004 as a contestant on Singapore Idol. I made it to Top 30 before being eliminated, but from there, I got the opportunity to go into Modeling. My first campaign was for a large telecommunications company in Singapore and after about a year and a half of modeling. 

I was offered a management contract with Mediacorp, Singapore’s premier broadcaster, and Artiste Agency, where I was primarily an Actor. I left in 2010 to focus on my first love - Music and released my first EP, Unleashed in 2012. That landed me an Artiste Management contract in Taiwan, and I was based there from 2013-2015. 

Our first single “Lonely Detective” even broke into Top 10 on multiple radio stations there. In 2015, I was invited back to Singapore to do the first-ever long-form drama on Channel 5, Tanglin, and that production wrapped after 4 seasons and 823 episodes. 

During that period of time, I also started my entrepreneurial journey in the F&B business, which was a steep learning curve, but a valuable experience nonetheless. 

Today, I have applied those lessons to a successful network marketing business, which has given me the freedom and flexibility to move to LA to study music production and to continue my artiste journey there. 

2. Did you ever think or dream of being an actor?

The acting was something I never really thought about, but since the opportunity presented itself, I decided to give it a shot and turned out to be pretty decent at it.

3. How can one approach their career and have the confidence and belief to become an actor?

While there definitely is a small element of luck that is required, at the same time I believe that we create our own luck through sheer hard work, and also putting ourselves in the path of Opportunity. 

For example, my artiste career probably would never have happened, if I had never taken that first step to audition for Singapore Idol. Opportunity rarely just falls into someone’s lap. 

Even when Opportunity does knock on your door, you also need to be able and prepared to seize it. And that comes through continuous learning and upgrading one’s skills and knowledge. 

When you have put in the inner work and personal development, Confidence and Authenticity are natural byproducts of that. 

4. How the Singapore film industry evolved over the years?

The Singapore film industry has constantly evolved over the years, and a large part of that has also been via overseas collaborations. I think, with the increased accessibility of international streaming content, our audiences and creatives have also evolved accordingly in terms of taste and expectations. 

The biggest challenge then would be our tiny geographical market size. And probably the best way around that would be to export our talent and to develop quality content. 

5. What is your mantra of success?

My Mum always tells me that “Hard work never goes unrewarded.” But at the same time, it’s important to work smart as well, and the way to do that is to always keep an open mind and to keep on learning. 

Everyone whom we cross paths with in life has something to teach us. We just need to find out what that is. 

6. Which is your favorite book and why?

My favorite book is probably The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, and I love this quotation from the book, “When you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you achieve it.” Of course, wanting isn’t enough, it’s still important to take action. 

It’s interesting because many people go through life just letting Life happen to them, without really knowing what they want. It’s so important to know what you want and be really specific about it because that’s actually the first step to achieving one’s goals and dreams. 

7. What are your upcoming projects? 

Covid-19 has put many projects on hold, so I am actually taking this time to focus on songwriting and production. It’s been an incredibly interesting year, and the best way to counter all this destructive energy going on outside is to create beautiful things. 

Life is about creation, and right now, that’s probably the most badass thing we all can do, in our own little ways.

Instagram ID - @iamnatho

He has appeared in many lead roles across Mediacorp Channel 5, Channel 8, as well as regional television. 

As a singer and performer, he has performed in numerous televised live shows and performances, not just in Singapore, but also in Taiwan, where he was previously signed as an artist. 

Nat is also a frequent feature on magazine covers and fashion spreads and has even had the opportunity to walk in the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week in Russia. 

His work as a Model and Brand Ambassador spans across multiple industries, having worked with major brands from the telecommunications, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, tech, and automobile industries.

Nat is currently studying Music Production in Los Angeles, California, but frequently updates his adventures on his various social media platforms. 

Nat Ho

Singer, Actor, and Model.

Interviewed By - Sandeep Virothu