Singapore's biggest reality TV stars: Where are they now?

Despite being a small country, Singapore has some big reality TV stars of its own. Here, we pick some of the most iconic Singaporean reality TV stars and check in on what they’re up to now!

Many Singaporeans would know that Taufik Batisah was the very first winner of Singapore’s own version of ‘American Idol’, appropriately titled ‘Singapore Idol’. His win earned him a recording deal with Sony BMG, and Singapore’s first idol went on to produce his first English language album ‘Blessings’ in 2005.

(Next to him in the photo: model and former MTV VJ Denise Keller)

Since his ‘Singapore Idol’ win, Taufik Batisah remains active in the limelight as a singer, songwriter, and actor. He sang 'Stronger Together,' Singapore's National Day song, in 2022.

(Image: taufikbatisah on Instagram)

According to Mothership, Taufik Batisah also is now a registered property agent and entered the line to not only join his brother to make property selling a family business but also expand on his entrepreneurial skills.

(Image: taufikbatisah on Instagram)

Taufik Batisah's life changed in 2023 as well, according to The Straits Times, as he has now become a fitness influencer! His fitness journey at the age of 42 now inspires many, and he frequently shares fitness posts with the hashtag "#tauFITbatisah."

(Image: taufikbatisah on Instagram)

Another ‘Singapore Idol’ contestant, Tabitha Nauser, joined in the third season of the reality TV singing competition and was placed third.

Despite not winning the crown, Tabitha Nauser continued propelling herself to stardom by sticking to her passion for singing and released ‘Bulletproof’ in 2017. Singapore Tatler reports that the song performed exceptionally well in Singapore’s music charts by being placed number 1 on Spotify’s 'SG Viral 50' song chart.

(Image: tabithanauser on Instagram)

Still active in the music scene, Tabitha Nauser released several songs, including ‘When Will I Be Loved.' According to Vacancy Magazine, that song focused on the topic of self-love after a romantic breakup. In 2022, she modeled with her boyfriend, and singer RRILEY for a Tiffany & Co. jewelry campaign.

(Image: tabithanauser on Instagram)

2023 is also a gift for Tabitha Nauser, who is expecting a child with boyfriend Louie Salmon-Pansuk and will give birth this year according to The Straits Times. Congratulations to the couple!

(Image: tabithanauser on Instagram)

Runner-up of Suria TV’s Malay language singing competition ‘Anugerah’ in 2005, Syed Azmir was initially a full-time football player with Singapore’s Sembawang Rangers Football Club. From Channel News Asia, the singing competition contestant gave up his football career to pursue singing after ‘Anugerah’, and left for Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia when he was offered a singing contract.

(Image: syedazmir_ on Instagram)

Unfortunately with the passing of his then-manager Amin Hussen, Syed Azmir lost his singing career with no one left to manage him as a singer. Channel News Asia reported that Syed Azmir then went back to football by becoming a coach. However, Syed Azmir still sings and performs on TV when out of the field!

(Image: syedazmir_ on Instagram)

Syed Azmir had happier times in 2023, as he recently married in August, according to his social media. Best wishes to the happy couple!

(Image: syedazmir_ on Instagram)

Winner of the first ‘Project Superstar’, Kelvin Tan won not only the hearts of Singaporeans through his singing, but also in his tenacity in performing despite being visually impaired from birth. His win was a huge debate then as many were conflicted in whether the singer won by voting because of his singing talent, or through capturing the hearts of sympathetic views who voted him in due to his disability.

(Image: Kevin Tan Wei Lian on Facebook)

Kelvin Tan remains an active singer and is also a prominent ambassador for disability awareness in Singapore. For example, he was invited to join in a Livestream event organised by the Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre. There, he sang classical music soundtracks for fans to enjoy listening to.

(Image: Kevin Tan Wei Lian on Facebook)

Nathan Hartono was already a singer upon winning the ‘Teenage Icon’ singing competition in 2005. However, the singer struck international fame when he participated in the first season of ‘Sing! China’ in 2016 by winning second place under the mentorship of mandopop A-lister, Jay Chou.

(Image: Zhejiang TV)

Since ‘Sing! China’, Nathan Hartono is an active ambassador in promoting Chinese language learning amongst Singaporean students as part of a national education initiative.

(Image: nathanhartono on Instagram)

In addition to his acting and singing careers, Nathan Hartono is still performing. His discography, which includes songs in English, Mandarin Chinese, and Bahasa Indonesia, is already quite impressive. According to The Straits Times, he will be performing his first solo concert in seven years this coming October!

Another ‘Sing! China’ alumni, Joanna Dong participated in the second run of the show and was crowned its second runner up, under the same mentorship of Jay Chou. What many do not know was that Joanna Dong also participated in ‘Singapore Idol’ back in 2004, but was unfortunately booted out due to her ‘unfashionable’ dress, despite her singing talent!

(Image: Zhejiang TV)

Since finally achieving her well-deserved recognition from ‘Sing! China’, Joanna Dong is now not only a singer but also an actress and TV host in Singapore. During Singapore's 2021 Star Awards, she was one of the featured singers. In 2023, she starred in the theatre musical comedy 'The Soldier & His Virtuous Wife' alongside Cavin Soh.

(Image: j_o_a_n_n_a_d_o_n_g on Instagram)

Devarajan Varadarajan, professionally known as Dev, was a two-time participant in ‘Vasantham Star’, Singapore’s Tamil language version of ‘American Idol’. Having participated in ‘Vasantham Star’ in 2005, Dev was not satisfied with finishing amongst the top ten. He competed again in 2007 and became the runner-up.

(Image: dev_rv on Instagram)

Since ‘Vasantham Star’, Dev is now a full-time mediacorp actor and continues to sing, act and present for Mediacorp Vasantham and for Mediacorp’s Channel 5. For example, he was the co-host in Season 6 of Vasantham’s reality cooking TV show ‘Suvai’ and continues to act for several shows in Mediacorp.

(Image: dev_rv on Instagram)

Shawn Tok was the youngest contestant in season two of the Mandarin TV singing competition ‘Campus Superstar’. Not only was Shawn Tok the youngest contestant to participate in the show at that time, but he also emerged as the winner of the competition in 2007, triumphing over competition rival Keely Wee.

(Image: shawntok on Instagram)

Since ‘Campus Superstar’ fame, has retired from acting after being involved with it after the reality TV competition and is now a production assistant with HBO Asia. Shawn Tok is also still active as a singer and released an EP in 2022.

(Image: shawntok on Instagram)