Walking The Big Talk

In an era where celebrities are held accountable for every action, move or speech, these four artistes here do not just provide lip service, they are making strides and moving the conversation forward.

- Asaph Low

ALAN WAN

NEW YORK, HONG KONG AND SINGAPORE, THREE RADICALLY DIFFERENT LOCATIONS, SEPARATED BY THOUSANDS OF MILES HAVE ONE THING IN COMMON FOR ALAN WAN. THEY WERE HOME AND A CAREER TRAINING GROUND OF SORTS TO HIM AT DIFFERENT POINTS OF HIS LIFE.

THE BEGINNING & A FRESH START

Born and raised in Long Island, New York, the charismatic artiste never thought to be an actor until he joined the Mr Hong Kong pageant in 2008.

“I left for Hong Kong because I wanted to be in touch with my Asian roots. But when I did the pageant, I fell in love with the atmosphere, the energy, the ability to create and also the opportunity to be someone you not always are, which is special for me,” said Wan, “within the first few days, I knew this was what I wanted to do for the rest of my life.”

Everything fell into place for Wan after being placed in the top three of the pageant. Beefcake — as he is affectionately known as in Hong Kong — was a nickname given to Wan by a producer while working on his first show.

It has stuck with him ever since; till today people who recognise him on the streets still remember him for it.