Yao

Yao’s got this wild blend of Southeast Asian roots and Bay Area energy, which honestly just makes his work pop. The dude’s not shy about taking center stage, whether it’s in the neon-lit buzz of Singapore’s indie film scene or the hush-hush intensity of live theatre. You may have caught him lighting up the screen in films like MORE, MORE, MORE! (that was James Thoo steering the ship), or the totally gutsy #LOOKATME from Ken Kwek. That last one? Snagged him the ‘Best Performance’ trophy at the New York Asian Film Festival back in 2022, which is no small potatoes. Then there’s Tiong Bahru Social Club, directed by Tan Bee Thiam—Yao just keeps rolling out the hits. But it’s not just cameras and close-ups. In Singapore’s theatre world, Yao is basically a household name. Three times nominated for ‘Best Actor’ (2015, 2016, and then, finally—he takes the crown in 2018). If you’re into live performance, you’ve probably seen him absolutely command the stage. The guy’s got an MFA from the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, 2023—so yes, the chops are real and legit. Whether he’s riffing on the quirks of modern living or digging deep into the messy stuff that makes us human, Yao brings this sharp, playful, and straight-up magnetic energy to everything he touches. Seriously, eyes on this guy—he’s not slowing down.