How Star Search winner Zhang Ze Tong made his mother's dreams come true
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How Star Search winner Zhang Ze Tong fabricated his mother'south dreams come truthful
The 26-year-old former Carousell manager used to watch Aqueduct 8 dramas with his mum. Now on the cusp of a promising showbiz career, he'due south also realising her unfulfilled dream to deed on Goggle box.
The artist formerly known as Teoh Ze Tong. (Photo: Alvin Teo; Hair and makeup: Dax Lye)
22 Nov 2022 06:30AM (Updated: xviii May 2022 01:40AM)
Zhang Ze Tong is but like you. He describes himself as "a typical math and science guy", "wholesome", "super duper obedient" and even "basic". In his free time, he likes going to Hai Di Lao with his friends. In curt, he'southward your regular guy – except that he'southward too local entertainment's adjacent large affair.
READ: Teoh Ze Tong crowned Star Search winner; will quit Carousell job to act
Afterward emerging as champion in the recently concluded Star Search talent contest evidence, the 26-year-old life has immediately been propelled into a maelstrom of change.
He's quit his 24-hour interval job as an associate customer human relationship management director at Carousell and is currently serving his notice while attention acting classes and preparing for his first drama. He's inked a shiny new contract with Mediacorp and now has a manager.
He'due south even changed his proper noun from Teoh Ze Tong to Zhang Ze Tong (for more international appeal, peradventure?). Clearly, there'due south no turning back for this guy.
Despite remaining under the radar for nearly of the competition, 1.83m-tall Zhang was ofttimes declared to take "leading man" qualities, which may have been what eventually clinched him the peak prize. He'south already been cast in his starting time lead function, in the drama All Around You, which was specially written for the Star Search finalists. And since coming into the public middle, comparisons to more established actors have been inevitable – which may be a sign that he's fitting right in.
"People commented that I look similar Edwin Goh, and some people also mention Shane Pow. I recall it would exist fun if we were cast equally a family of 3 brothers," he chuckled. "I met Edwin in person a couple of times and we said hi to each other awkwardly. Actually, when I look at him, I don't remember nosotros look alike!"
READ: Star Search surprise: Mediacorp offers contracts to all 12 finalists who 'wowed' judges
While "I remember it's very normal for people to make comments and comparisons," that'southward certainly non going to finish Zhang from walking his own route and hopefully carving out a name for himself.
Look MA, I'Yard ON TV
It was Zhang's mum who "eagerly asked (him) to join" Star Search earlier this twelvemonth, when the talent search that produced big names such equally Zoe Tay, Aileen Tan and Felicia Chin returned to goggle box after a nine-year hiatus.
"When she was younger, she wanted to be an extra herself," he said. "My mum was really pretty when she was young, and a lot of people told her she looked like Joey Wong. She showed me a picture, and they really did look alike. But she married young and I think opportunities like these weren't widely available where she was, so she didn't have the chance to enter the showbiz industry. Information technology's kind of an unfulfilled dream of hers, and then mayhap, right now, what I'1000 doing is fulfilling her dream on her behalf."
The Singapore-based Malaysian'south family lives in Johor Bahru, and from primary school until he enrolled in university, he would get upward at 4am to catch the bus to school in Singapore. "The charabanc ride took iii hours. And if I had a co-curricular activity that required me to stay late, I'd get home at about 8 or 9pm, and become upwardly the side by side 24-hour interval at 4am once more," he recounted.
In their free time, he and his mum would sentinel Channel 8 dramas together – Fann Wong and Christopher Lee are their favourite actors, and mum also has a soft spot for Ya Hui – and she'd muse about how that could accept been her on the screen.
When he was crowned the Star Search champion, "She was in the start row, and I think she cried immediately. She didn't know how to react at the start," Zhang said. "My family are all very proud of what I've achieved while working full time. They are very supportive of my career switch."
Zhang has a caste in Business Administration – during his academy days, he took role in a one-yr Silicon Valley work feel programme – and had been enjoying his time working in a tech startup. Just he knows that bigger things lie ahead.
FROM TECH GUY TO Boob tube HEARTTHROB
"What I've seen after joining this competition is that acting is a craft you tin hone your entire life. Fifty-fifty when you're in your 50s or 60s, you could exist acting in dissimilar roles and your craft could continuously improve. What I like about this is the depth of the craft you tin can become into," he said, measuring his words out thoughtfully.
"In my current field, within possibly 2 to three years, you are able to larn close to 80 or 90 per cent of what's in the industry. Beyond that, it's self-learning and relearning, because things change so fast in tech. Acting is entirely different – it'southward a craft you can strop for the balance of your life. Y'all put in a lot of effort to convince the audience that you are the ane y'all are portraying. And when the audience believes you, or feels a certain something for the character yous're portraying – that's satisfaction to me."
In whatever case, he'southward always been a scrap of a thrill seeker. "I'm a guy who likes new adventures. I like to try out different things," he said, "even if they aren't conventionally for males. I've tried spinning, which non many guys practise. I've tried yoga. I also went for dance classes. I also went snowboarding for the first time, when I spent a year in the States. I really beloved the sport. Next, I'm thinking of peradventure taking a diving license. Or, if I can't get out of the country, I would like to try wakeboarding."
He's currently single, and jokes that if nosotros know of anyone suitable, we should permit him know. But he'due south obviously not in whatsoever hurry, and prefers to take his fourth dimension. "I don't have a Tinder account," he said. "If you find any profiles in those apps, they're fake!"
Take hold of All Around You free on demand on Toggle from February 28, and on Channel eight at 9pm from Mar 2.
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Source: https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/star-search-winner-zhang-ze-tong-175446
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