The Singapore Hot List: 20 people to watch
And here they are, in no particular order:
1. Andre Chiang: Kitchen king
After stints at some of the top restaurants in France, Chiang, now head chef at Jaan par Andre at Swissotel The Stamford, has developed an ability to combine unique ingredients and pure flavors that encapsulate the spirit of French nouvelle cuisine. As Miele Guide 2009/2010 says: "Since chef Andre Chiang took over the kitchens of Jaan in 2008, he has revitalised the outlet and elevated it to that of gastronomic hotspot, adored by local and regional foodies alike."
2. Min Lee: String queen
Singapore’s poster girl of classical music, Lee is one of the most talented violinists to ever grace the global stage. Since picking up the violin at age two, hers has been an upward journey -- from enrolling at Yale University at 14 to performing with prestigious acts such as the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Vienna Chamber Orchestra, Prague Chamber Orchestra, Singapore Symphony Orchestra and ... well, you get the idea. She's also got heart: involved in many charities, she's raised S$5 million for various organizations worldwide.
3. Dick Lee: Renaissance dude
Musician, composer, playwright, socialite, jewelry designer, creative director and, most recently, "Singapore Idol" judge. Richard "Dick" Lee Peng Boon wears many hats, all of them fashionable and most flamboyant. Better known to Gen Xers as The Mad Chinaman, ol' Dick has by now become a veritable brand unto himself, bringing his own flair into musicals and magazines, as well as telling "Singapore Idol" hopefuls to get singing lessons and get off the stage.
4. Hadassah Lau: Jewelry gem
Self-described bio-designer, wife, pianist, sister and crazy wire lady, Hadassah had long made wire jewelery for friends before starting Hadasity Designs. From her humble home in Yishun, Hadasity’s eclectic range of unique handcrafted accessories have crossed the Atlantic to be featured at fashion shows in New York, with a growing presence in Miami. In Singapore, Hadassah will continue to snare followers in the beautiful tangle of her wires.
5. Sonny Liew: Comic genius
An Eisner-nominated comic book artist who has worked with Vertigo and Marvel, Liew is best known for his work on ‘My Faith in Frankie,’ on which he teamed up with scribe Mike Carey. Who says art class is a waste of time? Sonny excelled in his, then started off in The New Paper, contributing to the comic strip 'Frankie and Poo.' That's no load of artsy BS.
6. Nadya Hutagalung: Natural beauty
Many still love her from her MTV days, but Hutagalung is more than just an extremely pretty face. She's the founder of Green Kampong, an organization dedicated to educating and building awareness of conserving our environment. It’s not the world Hutagalung is trying to save, "but the human race’s ability to survive on this shared earth." In the midst of building a green home, she's also the ambassador for the World Wildlife Fund's Earth Hour in Singapore.
7. Hubert Wee: Walking dictionary
For a young Scrabble master, 'win' is an awful short word to have popping up so often. This 21-year-old started playing the game just six years ago with family and friends. It wasn't long before they recognized his talent -- and unbeatability. He's since won numerous competitions. Wee trains by pile-driving words from the dictionary and into his gray matter. Next up: representing Singapore at the 2009 World Scrabble Championships in Johor Bahru, Nov. 26-29.
8. Denise Keller: Heartbreaker
Tapped as the target for drooling bachelors, who pathetically pursued her affections in the reality dating program "Eye for a Guy 2," Keller imprinted herself firmly in the minds of at least half the local population. No blood was spilled in the making of the series, but who knows how many hearts were crushed? Those sultry looks and pouty lips now grace the covers of men’s magazines everywhere, whose readers can't get Keller's exotic Eurasian features out of their heads. At least they can watch her as a VJ on MTV Asia.
9. Alan Johnson: DJ AJ
Take a class from St. Joseph’s Institution English teacher Alan Johnson and you might think you've been dropped into a scene from "School of Rock." Johnson received a 2009 Inspiring Teacher of English award (presented by "The Straits Times" and the Speak Good English Movement) thanks to his creative approach to teaching literature with music. “I use music lyrics and videos, usually whatever the students are interested in” as a reference against the study text, he says. Find a bit of Beatles in Shakespeare? Johnson can do it.
10. Natalya Twohill: Cause effector
Despite a hectic school schedule, Twohill has worked for the past five years with the likes of the National Youth Council and World Bank Group to spearhead initiatives and campaigns to educate youth on issues such as poverty. Credited with founding the United Nations Youth Association (Singapore), she continues to champion and rally young people to good causes. All this and most people are still more likely to to recognize this National University of Singapore sophomore's brother -- Paul Twohill of "Singapore Idol" finalist fame.
11. Yeap Cheng Guat: Hot product
Starting out with a small bakery in Siglap, this self-taught baker is the brains behind Cedele, the chain that includes 18 restaurants and bakeries island-wide. Beloved for her irrepressible, friendly demeanor -- we can personally vouch -- Yeap Cheng Guat is most at home in the kitchen, where her passion for making healthy food drives her to excellence.
12. Ashley Isham: Label maker
After leaving home, getting a fashion education and setting up a self-named label in London in 2000, Isham quickly attracted attention as the designer of the outfit worn by Zara Phillips at Royal Ascot in 2002. He opened his flagship boutique Ashley in 2005. Known for his signature draping and defined tailoring, Isham's clients range from movie stars to models to international royalty.
13. Michael Koh: Historical figure
Some balked when he appointed comedian Mark Lee as museum ambassador and had him lead museum tours -- but it's National Heritage Board CEO Michael Koh who's getting the last laugh. Museum visitations have surged over the six million mark, with the response from schools being particulary positive to his initiatives. Also lauded for revamping the landscape of Singapore’s museum industry, Koh believes the experience of walking through the halls of a museum is “about establishing values, a sense of rootedness, identity and cultural vibrancy." Not to mention, for once, fun.
14. Daniel Boey: Runway pilot
No one knows how to work a catwalk quite like Daniel Boey, who produces and directs fashion festivals from Singapore to Edinburgh and London to Melbourne. Breaking boundaries with cutting-edge choreography, Boey's head-turning secret is a devotion to constantly updating his own work. With clients such as Christian Dior, Armani and MAC, and a reputation for demanding perfection, Singapore’s leading man of fashion always gets what he deserves -- only the best.
15. Haresh Sharma: Play pal
Resident playwright for nearly 20 years at The Necessary Stage, a non-profit theater company founded in 1987, Sharma’s works have been staged around the world, reaching Glasgow, Hungary, Romania and Tokyo, to name a few. Closer to home, some of Haresh’s plays -- he's written more than 60 -- have been taught in universities and developed for film and television, while ‘N’ and ‘O’ level literature students have studied his play, "Off Centre" -- probably his only work that's not spot on.
16. Vernetta Lopez: Sweet sensation
After making her way into every local home as Denise from Singapore’s funniest family in the sitcom "Under One Roof," Vernetta has won our love as a host, actress, DJ and entrepreneur. Keeping the masses company every weekday on Class95FM, Vernetta also works her magic outside of the spotlight. In addition to running her own wedding-planning company, Eternally Yours, she aims to end poverty as president of ONE Singapore.
17. Seelan Palay: Rebel with a cause
Referring to himself as an artist and activist, Palay uses art to explore Singapore’s socio-political climate. A vegetarian who believes firmly in human rights, Seelan made a name for himself with "One Nation Under Lee," a film that offers a unique perspective of Singapore. Making use of online platforms such as YouTube, Palay works tirelessly to address important issues and inspire others.
18. Ethan Ong: Little drummer man
Ten-year-old drumming prodigy Ethan Ong has had a knack for percussion since pounding on his mother’s shoulders as a two year old at church. The boy wonder has gone on to impress as the youngest performer in China Drumfest 2009 and by beating 51 hopefuls to compete in the 4th National Youth Percussion Instrument Competition in Shanghai.
19. Jane Lee: Social climber
The kingpin of the Singapore Women’s Everest Team, Lee, is also the youngest member of the team. She led the country's first female Everest team to the top after five years of intensive training that included bagging Island Peak and Mera Peak in Nepal and ‘Er Feng’ in the Siguniang mountain range of China. Just 25 years old, we're certain this staff member of Republic Polytechnic will find ways to reach even greater heights.
20. Fann Wong/Christopher Lee: Masters of suspense
She’s famous for Hollywood stints, including a turn as Jackie Chan's agile sister in "Shanghai Knights." He’s known for his questionable fashion sense and local drama appearances. After 14 years of nagging questions, the on-again, off-again relationship between Wong and Lee was finally cemented with nuptial knots in September, amid fanfare and hordes of fans. Finally, we can all stop holding our breath.
