Local singer Nathan Hartono has the looks, the voice... and Jay Chou as his mentor. Thanks to his highly-lauded performance on a Chinese singing competition, the 25-year-old may just become Singapore’s biggest singing export since Stefanie Sun.
He isn’t comfortable speaking in Mandarin, nor is he a fan of singing competitions. But local singer Nathan Hartono’s recent audition for popular reality TV show Sing! China (previously known as The Voice of China, the show changed its name due to copyright issues) was a star-making turn, to say the least. All four of the judges, Na Ying, Jay Chou, Harlem Yu and Wang Feng, lauded Nathan’s performance. (FYI: they now go down a slide after pressing a buzzer to show their approval instead of spinning their chairs around.) Especially enthusiastic was Na Ying, who asked if she could hug the “so handsome!” Nathan. The video of Nathan’s performance, where he sang ‘Have You Ever’ by Taiwanese crooner Wei Li An, has racked up over 600,000 views since it was uploaded on Facebook last week. Speaking to us over the phone, the giddy 25-year-old, who is of Indonesian - Chinese parentage, reveals that his Instagram following has spiked by more than 10K in the past week. “This is the biggest surge of attention I’ve received in a very long time,” says the former ACS boy, who’ll be jetting off to China next month to film the show. “I’m excited and curious as to what lies ahead.” So are we.
This story is from the July 28 2016 edition of 8 Days.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 28 2016 edition of 8 Days.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
What a G.E.M.!
Hongkong singer and new Tag Heuer global ambassador G.E.M. TANG, in town recently for F1, has a “guilty indulgence” that will just make you feel more guilty about yours.
The Twins Effect
Is the local showbiz scene big enough for both JAYLEY and HAYLEY WOO to twin and win? We compare and contrast.
Wake-Up Call
Following SHINee frontman JONGHYUN's suicide after a long struggle with depression, fans and celebs are urging the K-pop industry to pay more attention to the well-being of their artistes.
Coming Clean
Chart-topping British band CLEAN BANDIT, in town on Jan 22 for a gig, may be famous for using classical music in their hits, but that won’t stop them from collaborating with Beyoncé, as bassist Jack Patterson tells us over the phone.
Wong Time Right Target
The always-glam FANN WONG goes glum for her first major movie role in three years.
Star Ship Troopers
Space Travel is about to get more exciting. Chris Pratt and Jennifer Lawrence, two actors already in Hollywood’s Stratosphere, take off this week for the Sci-Fi Romance Passengers.
Sandra Riley Tang, 25
The Sam Willo ws singer works out because “I really love to eat”. Yes, The Yoga Cofounder’s fad diet days are definitely over.
Comme What May
The man behind the Comme des F***down streetwear, Rusland Karablin, is so Zen (check out the mantra emblazoned on his swag), he doesn’t mind that everyone from Bugis to Bangkok is bootlegging his stuff.
“My Parents Told Me: You're On Your Own Now”
Getting cut off financially by her folks turned Asia’s Next Top Model alum AIMEE CHENG- BRADSHAW into a “super frugal” model. Except when it comes to yoga and shoes.
A Slice Of New York In Singapore
WOLFGANG’S STEAKHOUSE at the new Intercontinental Singapore Robertson Quay offers an authentic NYC steakhouse dining experience. But be prepared to leave with a much emptier wallet and smelling of beef fat.
