A Trick of flight

Being in the limelight might not be second nature for everyone, but for Shawn Thia, the privilege of having an audience was the key to uncovering the many vivid colours he never knew he could have.

- Charmaine Tan

When someone is being compared to a ray of light, the intention is often to highlight a sense of liveliness and brightness. There is sometimes the association of hope and then a fair share of innocence or endearing sprightliness. But light is more than meets the eye; just as light is the natural agent for visibility, it is in itself a complex composition of many colours - a phenomenon in constant motion, glowing just as much as it illuminates the world it is borne into.

Shawn Thia homegrown actor, content creator, Friend of Bvlgari and the unofficial double of Singapore's current Prime Minister - is both that approachable friend of a friend and a sizzling firecracker waiting to fire up the dead of the night. At least to the public, he has two crystal clear personas: the golden retriever husband-to-be with a sense of humour, and a budding thespian who has only just begun to roll up his sleeves. But the rare alignment of stars has allowed Men's Folio to meet the 29-year-old over a written interview, two photoshoots and a phone call.

Here is a record of our prismatic encounter with Shawn Thia, the fullest spectrum of this ray of light in a slightly more nuanced moment of glory - in his own words.

HOW ARE YOU WITH MEETING NEW PEOPLE?

Well, it depends if it’s someone I can see as a potential new friend or an “important person” I need to be more proper with. But in general, I think the words some have used to describe me when meeting strangers are “nonchalant” or “aloof”.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN?

Maybe a better description is lighthearted or easygoing. For instance, if someone approaches me and says, “Hey, Lawrence Wong,” I won’t run and hide. I’ll probably be like, “Good day, good day, GST voucher for you!” I want to make the people around me feel comfortable. I hate awkward silences.