Tan Kheng Hua talks about her Hollywood journey and how it differs from Singapore's showbiz, from Crazy Rich Asians to Grey's Anatomy

It’s not a secret that Crazy Rich Asians put Singapore on the international showbiz map in more ways than one. Apart from it being set in our little red dot, the cast also included notable local actors.

But one local actress in particular saw her career breaking a glass ceiling as she expanded her presence in Hollywood. Of course, we’re talking about Tan Kheng Hua.

Speaking to Yahoo Southeast Asia at the Asian Academy Creative Awards ceremony in December, Tan, 60, humbly described her entry into Hollywood as “me with more markets rather than Singapore”.

“I like to say, I go where good work takes me,” she said.

Tan attributed this new breakthrough in her career to the success of the film as it led to “opportunities for representation from North America”. With that, came more jobs in the market and the rest is history.

But, she added, “I think, luck, you know, luck, and maybe the energies of the world are helping me.”

What’s different between Hollywood and Singapore?

Understandably, Hollywood is a much bigger, and more prestigious market, so aside from value-adding to her portfolio of work, how else has it changed the veteran actress?

“I think it has given me a very holistic idea of storytelling that comes from all over the world,” she replied.

“I think sometimes when you're just based in one place, you are used to listening to stories told in a particular way, carried out in a particular way, with very similar endings. But once you work in many different places, and see how many different people tell stories, and as you know, the world is huge… I consider it is a privilege to have been, you know, in a place where I can see how different people are telling stories and be a part of those stories, too.”

And for her, there is a difference between filming in Singapore and in Hollywood - but it’s not what you might expect.

She said, “I think pride. Pride in what you do, no matter what capacity you are in.

“And I would like to see more people being proud of what they do, not just from interviewers, or public relations, or people to do with the industry, or people who hold awards like this, but also from actors, of course, producers, even grips or wardrobe assistants and costume people.”

Tan also feels that being around such energy and people who are passionate about their work in Hollywood elevates her craft.

“Every single day, I am with people who are very good at their work, who are still very much in love with their craft - very, very professional. And you know, it's like being in a room full of like-minded people, as opposed to just being in a room by yourself. You infect each other, you encourage each other. And then you see how people do things, and then you learn.

“So the energy is very effervescent and I really like that. I am feeling a little bit of it here in the Asian Academy Creative Awards, and I want to feel more of that here in Singapore.”

Being on Grey’s Anatomy

This sense of pride also came up while talking about her experience on Grey’s Anatomy - the longest-running primetime medical drama. Tan played a patient who woke up from surgery singing.

Surprisingly, she shared, “Many people have not asked me about that because it was one episode.”

Tan recalled, “I was with so many of the regulars from Grey's Anatomy, and they were so nice. Everybody on that set, because it had gone on for so long, they had a sense of dignity, and pride - again, that word - of having been one of the longest most successful television shows.

“They were very humble - you know, even the lead actor. I mean, they're joking all the time. They're very easy to be with, we eat together. You know, they were very humble. It was a lovely experience.”

For those who have yet to watch the episode, the actress shared scenes with Kevin McKidd, who made his appearance as Dr Owen Hunt in Season 5, and is one of the remaining cast members from the early era of the show.

However, Tan didn’t manage to meet the Ellen Pompeo, who plays the titular character of Dr Meredith Grey.

“I would have loved to have had a conversation with her,” she confessed.

Kung Fu cancellation

Most notably, Tan was part of the main cast of the American TV series Kung Fu, which ran for three seasons before its cancellation last year.

Despite it being Tan’s longest Hollywood project, she remained optimistic and said, “There's a time for everything, you know, and we had three really great years… To have three years is already quite a feat.”

She added, “Of course, it's always sad to see a good thing end. But hey, I am 60. I have seen many ends. And with every end, there is a new beginning. And therefore, I know the feeling. And I know, there will be something happening again. We saw the light at the end of the tunnel, you know, I never saw it as a negative thing.”

At least, we know one good thing that came from Tan’s time on the show - the lasting bonds she forged with her colleagues who she considers her “forever friends” and family.

In fact, when some of them visited Singapore in March, Tan “literally spent a week 24/7 together” with them and they “ate up half of Singapore”. They keep in touch all the time, she said.

What’s next in Hollywood for her?

Up next for Tan is a role in the romantic comedy Worth The Wait, alongside Lana Condor, Ross Butler, Sung Kang, and fellow Singapore actor Lim Yu-Beng. A release date has yet to be announced, but the cast were in Kuala Lumpur in June 2023.

Additionally, if all goes well, she will be taking on an executive producer role in the animated adaptation of the comic book Kung Fu Legume.

She said, “I’m quite excited. I don't want to say too much about it… I've actually released the news of it on my Instagram… I also will voice one of the characters if this series takes off.

“Right now, we are preparing to go and pitch. It's been a real learning process. But yeah, I love it. I'm always full of energy anyway.”

Like Tan said, there are new beginnings for her in Hollywood. And it’s clear her journey has yet to come to an end.

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