In a stunning display of talent and ambition, the Singaporean actor and singer, Glenn Yong, has swiftly risen to prominence in the entertainment industry. From his humble beginnings as a TikTok sensation to his breakthrough roles as an actor and the release of his music, Glenn’s journey is quite impressive. He is known for his participation in dramas such as Victory Lap, How Are You Today, and Justice Boo. In addition, Glenn has also starred in films, including Ah Girls Go Army and The King of Musang King. In this exclusive feature interview, Glenn shares his insights into his creative process, influences, and aspirations.

Glenn’s journey as a singer and actor was sparked by an important moment in his youth. Reflecting on this, he shares, “I dreamt of becoming an actor after being impacted by a movie I watched in my youth”. That dream eventually led him to his acting debut in 2020 in Victory Lap, where he also had the opportunity to show his vocal abilities by singing the theme song. This marked the beginning of a promising career as an actor-singer, and Glenn’s talent has been shining ever since.

What sets Glenn apart is his unconventional entry into the industry. “I was scouted through TikTok, so I would say it’s a pretty Gen Z way to start my career”, he candidly reveals. This demonstrates not only his adaptability to emerging platforms but also his ability to connect with younger audiences, building a strong bond through his engaging and fun performances.

“[I am definitely inspired by] Leonardo DiCaprio, Tony Leung, Tom Holland, and Benedict Cumberbatch”

Approaching each role and recording session with meticulousness and dedication, Glenn delves deep into his craft. “For acting, I would actually study the character before I dive deeper into the role – I would study the character’s background, personality, relationships, motives, and dreams in life”, he shares. Glenn’s commitment to understanding the essence of his characters allows him to breathe life into each role, immersing himself in their world and delivering authentic performances.

When it comes to music, Glenn’s creative process is equally great. “For music, it’s usually when I already have a strong message and sound that I want, then I’ll work with my producer to write the melody together”, he explains. This collaborative approach allows him to combine his personal experiences and emotions into his songs, creating yet another connection with his fans. For ballad songs, Glenn takes a deeply personal approach, revealing, “I would actually churn out the lyrics first because that’s what’s in my heart, then I begin weaving in the melody”.

Despite his rising fame, Glenn remains humble. When asked if he has any specific rituals or techniques, he modestly replies, “Not really. I just flow along naturally. I say a little prayer and tell myself before I start recording or acting to give my best work.” This mindset is evident in every aspect of his work for sure.

As a Singaporean artist aiming for international recognition, Glenn understands the nuances of navigating both the local and global entertainment industries. “It’s a pretty unique experience for me because what works in the local entertainment industry may not necessarily work in the international region, and vice versa. So, I would have to switch up my strategies whenever I’m in a different region to adapt to a different crowd”, he shares.

“My songs are usually an expression of what’s on my heart.”

Glenn’s artistic journey has been deeply influenced by performers who have left an indelible mark on him. “[I am definitely inspired by] Leonardo DiCaprio, Tony Leung, Tom Holland, and Benedict Cumberbatch”. Each artist has impacted him in different ways, whether it’s DiCaprio’s versatility, Leung’s captivating eyes, Holland’s youthful energy, or Cumberbatch’s genius in expression, “Tom Holland’s performance in Spider-Man really got me hooked to his version of the character because of the versatility and boyishness. I loved Benedict’s performance in the TV Series Sherlock Holmes, such a genius in expressing the lines.” Glenn says. Additionally, he draws inspiration from the K-pop sensation BTS, admiring their style and the powerful messages embedded within their music.

In the era of digital platforms and streaming services, Glenn acknowledges the impact these advancements have had on his work as an artist. “It affected the local industry and movies as well because people would just stay home to consume media rather than head out to the cinema”, he states. To stay relevant and maintain visibility, Glenn actively embraces social media, consistently churning out content to engage with his audience and build a strong online presence.

Glenn’s YouTube channel, in particular, has gained significant attention, especially with his entertaining Dating Series videos. When asked about the future of this series, he responds with gratitude, stating, “Thank you! It seems to be working out well on my channel; the dating series garnered the highest views, so I think it’s a concept that many people find entertaining. We shall see!”.

The extent of Glenn’s artistry extends beyond acting and singing. In his recent cover of Fabio Asher’s Rumah Singgah, he displays his linguistic versatility by singing in Bahasa Indonesian. Reflecting on this experience, he admits, “It was really interesting because I didn’t know how to speak Bahasa Indonesian at all, but I’m glad I pulled it off, adding my own flavour to the song while making sure I pronounce the lyrics properly”.

“I would say BTS is one of my greatest inspirations in terms of style and the message behind their songs.”

In regards to his musical endeavours, Glenn surprised many people with his skills to rap, which is evident in his song Break Out. When asked about his preference between singing and rapping, he confidently states, “Rapping, I think it’s more natural for me”. The creative process behind Break Out aimed to capture Dance Hip-hop vibes, ensuring that listeners could groove to the song at parties.

Amidst his diverse pursuits, Glenn recently took on the role of Ah Liang in The King of Musang King, showing his range as an actor. While describing his character, he shares some details with us: “This character represents the new generation of people with fresh, creative viewpoints, eager to implement their ideas to change their world. [My character] has a great heart, and he is daring and bold”.

Finding balance between his demanding schedule as a performer and his personal life remains a challenge for Glenn. “It’s tough, to be honest. I’m still trying to balance my time because it’s been so exhausting and overwhelming this year”, he candidly admits. He also emphasises the importance of setting priorities and nurturing relationships with loved ones as essential elements of maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

“I always aspired to be a UNICEF Ambassador. I want to become an activist who is able to make a global impact using this platform as an entertainer.”

Looking towards the future, Glenn harbours ambitious aspirations as an artist. “I always aspired to be a UNICEF Ambassador. I want to become an activist who is able to make a global impact using this platform as an entertainer”, he says. Additionally, he hopes to fulfil his dream of holding his own concert.

Glenn’s artistic voyage continues to grow, with exciting projects on the horizon. “I’m working on a new movie called I Not Stupid 3, one of the most iconic Singaporean franchises. It will be aired next year! I’m playing a teacher in the movie”, he reveals. Furthermore, fans can anticipate the release of new music, with several unreleased tracks on the way.

Undoubtedly, Glenn has a bright future ahead of him; his passion, versatility, and talent will surely pave the way for a career filled with great artistic achievements.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

_{View of the Arts is a British online publication that chiefly deals with films, music, and art, with an emphasis on the Asian entertainment industry. We are hoping our audience will grow with us as we begin to explore new platforms such as K-pop / K-music, and Asian music in general, and continue to dive into the talented and ever-growing scene of film, music, and arts, worldwide.}