March 29, 2024 The voice of all eras.

The Other Side of Jeremy Chan: The Not So Funny Thing About Being a Comedian

November 10, 2021

November 10, 2021

Sharing is caring!

This pandemic would surely hit differently without the people in the entertainment industry. Imagine being constrained in your own house without anything or anyone to give you your daily dose of laughter – no viral videos, no hilarious social media posts, no amusing dance challenges, no comical antics.

Needless to say, comedians are our unsung heroes. They have kept us sane in some of the most difficult times of our lives. Their quips amplified our resilience by making situations a little bit bearable.

But while these comedians bring much happiness into our lives, when life ceases to be funny, what actually brings them joy? Here, the multi-awarded Singaporean actor and comedian, Jeremy Chan, flips the other side of the coin and shares some insights about being a comedian.

Gen-Z-Magazine-Features-Jeremy Chan_3

Beyond Comedy

While Jeremy Chan is known for his talents in acting and hosting, his passion for entertainment was deeply rooted in music. He started as a singer and then went on in the industry as a host before becoming the actor and comedian that he is now.

Singing has always been Jeremy’s passion. However, with the kind of market Singapore has, in order to become a great artist, he has to learn the importance of versatility. “In Singapore, being an artist means you have to be around it. You can host. You can act. So, you can grow your fanbase.”

To excel in what he does, Jeremy needs to be very precise with how he manages his time and the roles given to him. Everything may go smoothly on screen but behind the limelight, he is also making amends with the pressures placed upon him. As a host, he needs to navigate his way in dealing with guests, artists, and co-hosts. As an actor, he is expected to always be in character.

What most people don’t know is that even seasoned actors need a bit more time to get into their roles. It needs a lot of focus to get into character – to be the actor he is playing and then jumping into hosting before coming back into reality as the Jeremy that people knew.

“For you not to be stressed the next day on set, you have to learn to calm down. Start the engine again. Warm-up again. Everything comes in momentum. Timing is everything. You really have to do it yourself. You are your manager.”

Life of Fun and Laughter: The Beginning

Jeremy has always been known to be the ‘funny guy’ among his friends. Through the course of their youth, he learned how some jokes may sound funny among his peers but totally irritating to others. With this, he began to analyze the kind of comedy that people generally like. He watched a lot of comedy shows – both local and international – to further improve the talent that he already has.

But beyond this ability to bring joy to others, Jeremy also craves to do more serious roles. He wanted to explore more on the many other things that he can do. “I need to work harder on my other side so I can portray very serious styles. It’s another side of Jeremy that I want people to know.”

Gen-Z-Magazine-Features-Jeremy Chan_4
Full Suit Ensemble, Q Menswear
Shoes, Tod’s

The Not So Funny Thing About Being a Comedian

Being a comedian is a double-edged sword. People expect the likes of Jeremy to always deliver jokes 24/7 – like a vending machine that is always ready to spew some antics. But the thing is, he’s also a human being. Despite his ability to bring positive things to people, he also gets tired. He needs his personal breathing space. “While I’m glad that I made their day, there are times when I need to explain to people how tired I am. So instead of jokes, maybe I can just take a picture with them.”

Gen-Z-Magazine-Jeremy Chan_1

As a professional actor, he learned to stand by the adage: the show must go on. Even if there are times when he’s not feeling well, he always makes sure to properly do his job. Jeremy always takes into consideration the people he’s working with. He believes in the importance of bringing joy to work. That’s why he always wants everyone to be happy so that they can perform really well with their corresponding tasks. “When you’re doing your job, you really have to do it. It does not only affect you, but your bad mood may also affect all the crew. Hence, do a good job. Do it fast and get things done. Then you can go off and settle your personal issues or whatever.”

Jeremy also admits to being a very sensitive and emotional person. While he is not easily angered by mean comments, he often takes time to ponder on the things that he has done that have caused people to look at him in such a way. This introspection often leads him into thinking of ways on how he can improve himself for the better.

Also unknown to many, Jeremy Chan is a great cook. When he’s not working, he’s usually in their house either cooking, feeding his cat, or taking care of some plants. Sometimes, he would also go hiking or visit cafes.

Gen-Z-Magazine-Jeremy Chan_1
Knitted vest and Chinos, Polo Ralph Lauren
Shirt, Stylist’s own
Shoes, Model’s own

The Fun Continues

Jeremy continues to harness his craft by learning from the current generation – particularly the way the Gen Z demographic talks and converses with their ideas. With a lot of platforms to share their views and opinion, it has also become easier for people to succumb to the pitfalls of hatred, envy, and cancel culture.

But for the likes of Jeremy who wants to bring fun and happiness to others, he just filters out this online toxicity by deleting and blocking those who spread negativity on his feed. While he admits to being sometimes affected by bashing and discrimination, as someone who’s been in the industry for years, he learned to manage his feelings and to be selective with his battles.

 Gen-Z-Magazine-Features-Jeremy-Chan
Suit and cable-knit pullover, Q Menswear
Chelsea boots, Tod’s

With this modern ostracism trend, Jeremy advises the younger generation: “Just stay away from social media for a while. You cannot please everyone. Try to manage your feelings first. Do not be like them. They are like those cancer cells. They will change you to become like them. If you do so, you will become like them, a hater. Or if you fight back, as time goes by, you will become very aggressive. Your attitude towards everything will change. Don’t do that. They’re not worth it. If you’re wrong, apologize and do better. Show them.”

After winning the Best Comedy Performance in the Asian Academy Creative Awards, Jeremy now realizes how important it is to keep a balance between work and fun. If given a chance to talk to his younger self, Jeremy shares that he would tell himself to work harder; that he can still have fun in his job but probably work harder so in the future he can have more time for fun.

Just this month, the Singaporean actor has been nominated at the 26th Asian Television Awards for the Best Actor in a Leading Role category for the series Crouching Tiger Hidden Ghost. This prestigious award ceremony is recognized as the most celebrated event in the Asian TV industry. The esteemed awarding ceremony will stream live from December 10 – 11 and will be participated by renowned personalities from Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, the Philippines, and many other talented individuals across the region.

Gen-Z-Magazine-Features-Jeremy Chan

Now, with a little pressure on top of his current achievements, Jeremy hopes to continue heading forward. He is taking it one step at a time. Of course, there are those who can hit it right and get ahead of the game, but in Jeremy’s case, he prefers to embark on short-term goals because they are more realistic for him.  “In this industry, when you are in this line for too long, your passion will fade off. So, carry on with those short-term goals. As time passes by, you will actually achieve a lot. Rather than saying ‘I want to be the best’, take to heart that ‘you are the best’. Your best will work towards it.”

Gen-Z-Magazine-Features-Jeremy Chan

Photographed by Emerson Baun

Makeup by Li Su Hua

Hair by Don |

Grooming /Styling by Karin

Video by: Mary Jane Manglicmot

Video Editor: Niccole Mendoza

Overall Styling by: Joy del Rosario

Overall coordination: Juliana Chan

Shot on location at In the Studio SG

Set-up design & overall creative direction by the Gen-Z production team

Tags: in Cover
Related Posts

Camila Cabello Teams Up with Playboi Carti for Euphoric Single ‘I LUV IT’

March 28, 2024

March 28, 2024

Camila Cabello just unleashed ‘I LUV IT’, a sizzling collaboration with hip-hop maverick Playboi Carti, and it’s everything fans could...

Uniting Style and Sport: Y-3 and Real Madrid Launch a Striking Matchwear Collection

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

When Style Meets the Stadium In an electrifying blend of high fashion and high-stakes football, Y-3 and Real Madrid have...

RIMOWA’s New Beat: Introducing the Hammerschlag Collection

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Hammerschlag Collection: RIMOWA Strikes a Chord with Heritage and Craftsmanship If you thought RIMOWA was all about sleek lines...

EXO’s D.O. is Coming to Singapore for His First Solo Concert

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Exciting update, Exo-L and Dandanies! Mark your calendars for September because the South Korean actor and idol will hold his...

What’s New? Malaysia’s Viral ‘US Pizza’ Now Sizzles Hot in Singapore

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

Time to dig in for some cheesy goodness with the store’s renowned cheese boat pizza! Guess we can all agree...

Get Ready to Fly High with “House of the Dragon” Season Two: What You Need to Know

March 22, 2024

March 22, 2024

If you’re anything like us, your heart probably did a little somersault when you heard the news: House of the...

South Korea’s Bestselling Sagwadang Apple Pies Are Now in Singapore—For a Limited Time Only!

March 21, 2024

March 21, 2024

The pop-up store is open for just two weeks, from March 18 to April 7. There’s something about apple pies...

Wander and Wonder at Singapore’s Newest Outdoor Attraction: Sensoryscape in Sentosa

March 20, 2024

March 20, 2024

Going for a walk has never been this exciting. Yep, it’s finally open. Making your Sentosa Island experience even more...

Delving into the Steamy Secrets of ‘Supersex’—Netflix’s Most Daring and Explicit Series Yet

March 19, 2024

March 19, 2024

No, this isn’t your typical thirst trap tale. There’s a seductive depth to Rocco Siffredi beyond his moniker as the...

CeraVe Hits Singapore: The Ultimate Skincare Game-Changer Has Arrived

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

Hey, Singapore! Say goodbye to your skincare woes, because CeraVe is here to transform your daily regimen. That’s right, the...

Netflix is Dropping ‘Black Mirror’ Season 7 in 2025, Including Sequel to ‘USS Callister’

March 18, 2024

March 18, 2024

The hit sci-fi anthology will return with six new episodes. Confirmed: Black Mirror is poised to stimulate our minds once...

Cherry Blossoms on Your Plate: The Ultimate Guide to Sakura-Themed Eats

March 14, 2024

March 14, 2024

Hey foodies, spring has officially sprung, and it’s not just the cherry blossoms that are popping – Japanese eateries are...

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine Turn Up the Heat in the Steamy Adaptation of ‘The Idea of You’

March 11, 2024

March 11, 2024

The R-rated romantic drama is said to draw inspiration from the former boy band royalty, Harry Styles. Following their iconic...

Beyond ‘The Eras Tour,’ Singapore’s Got Some Cool Stuff Happening This March 2024—Check It Out!

March 6, 2024

March 6, 2024

Enjoy the other upcoming festivities, musicals, tasty culinary experiences, International Women’s Day celebrations, and more! The year 2024 has been...

Shine Bright Like a Diamond: Kiehl’s Launches The Ultimate Skin Experience with Bright Vachirawit in Singapore

March 5, 2024

March 5, 2024

Hey, glow-getters and skincare aficionados! If you’re all about achieving that coveted glass skin look that literally makes you shine...