I made sure I took a Before & After. HAIR is something people take for granted a lot. When we were first told we had to shave our heads for the TV show Tanglin, I didn't bat an eye. But trust me, closer to the day, the feelings towards the matter did change. As we all sat down to have our heads shaved, my heart started to beat a little faster. No hair would mean a complete change in look, losing a few jobs, limited opportunities, and a whole bunch of mocking or flaming. As expected, the comments started to flow in. I was told I was ugly now. I was told I look bad. Many made fun of it, laughed, and told me how terrible I looked. Others speculated my real hair was a wig and some were quick to state it was all fake.
This made me think. What if I was forced into this, what if it was due to a disease, what if I was a recruit entering into NS to serve my nation, what if I had cancer, what if I was a girl who had cancer. Imagine all the flame and hate these people must face.
As for me, I'm an actor, I do what I must to tell the story I need to tell. I tell it because I know it inspires and changes lives. I didn't enter this industry to be pretty or be seen as eye candy. I don't subscribe to pretense and superficiality. My main export isn't looks, and I don't need it to be. I came here to work hard and be the best. I heard a calling and I responded to it with commitment. I will grind and put my body through adversity and come out smiling. I love my craft.
To those of ya'll out there who are suffering in any situation, whether it be an illness, serving the nation or another reason, I'm with you. You don't need hair to be beautiful. You don't need hair to be confident. To all of ya'll who continue to support, much love and much respect. Thank you. To the rest of ya'll boys in Tanglin with me, this is going to go great.
TOMAHAWK!
#TwoKissesToYouGuysWhoStillSayILookGoodAndIThinkILookLikeAPrincess *Cue music, "Reflection" from the 1998 Disney's Movie "Mulan"*
