Celebrities who call Singapore home

DJ Kygo is known for his pop songs, such as his famous remix of Ed Sheeran's 'I See Fire.' What many do not know is that Kygo, although of Norwegian nationality, was born in Singapore.

A-list actress Gong Li is well-known for being one of the golden actresses in Chinese film history and as Chinese auteur Zhang Yimou’s muse. Originally from Liaoning, China, Gong Li gave up her Chinese citizenship in 2008 and officially became a Singaporean on 8 November 2008.

TikTok star Nic Kaufmann was born in Singapore in 2000. Having lived there until high school, Kaufmann is now based in Munich, Germany with his family.

Another A-list actor who gave up his Chinese citizenship to become Singaporean, is Jet Li. This stuntman-turned-filmstar initially took up US citizenship after relinquishing his Chinese passport. However in 2009, he renounced his US citizenship and became a Singaporean. The reason: his confidence in the Singaporean education system for raising his daughters.

A star of 'Crazy Rich Asians,' 'Riverdale' and '13 Reasons Why,' Ross Butler is currently one of Hollywood’s most promising young actors. He was born in Singapore and moved to the US, where he became a citizen when he was four.

When we hear about Jackie Chan, the first thing that comes to mind is his status as a Hong Kong A-list action star. However, what many do not know about this actor is that he has been a Singapore permanent resident since 1998.

Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter Emil Chau is famous for his classic mandopop and cantopop hits. Well-loved in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan and Southeast Asia, the singer decided to make Singapore one of his many homes.

Unlike good friend Jackie Chan, who accepted Singapore permanent residence, Emil Chau simply bought multiple properties in the island-nation as an investment that doubles up as a home away from home.

Star of ‘My Fair Princess’, Zhao Wei is currently one of China’s highest-paid actresses. Along with her husband, businessman Huang You Long, Zhao Wei is a Singaporean permanent resident. Her daughter was born in Singapore.

American personality star Tila Tequila is known for once being the most popular person on Myspace, and for being the star of MTV’s 'A Shot at Love with Tila Tequila.' Her parents were Vietnamese boat people and Tila was born in Singapore. The family then relocated to the US where she is currently living as a citizen.

8days reports that Hong Kong actress Cecelia Chung loves flying over to Singapore for vacation. Did you know that she is a Singaporean permanent resident too?

(Image: Hunan TV)

Taiwanese Singer and actress Vivian Hsu married Singaporean businessman Sean Lee in 2014. The two have a son together.

Along with Mike Zuckerberg, Eduardo Saverin is a co-founder of Facebook. Renouncing his US citizenship in 2011, Eduardo Saverin moved to Singapore and has been on the island-nation since 2009.

Known for her roles in Hong Kong's TVB, did you know that Michelle Saram is Singaporean and was born and raised in Singapore? Besides acting with TVB, she also did work with Mediacorp Singapore in several productions.

Zhang Yong is the owner of the Hai Di Lao hotpot chain and was originally based in China. He moved with his family to Singapore and became a naturalized Singaporean. Both he and his wife, Shu Ping, are on the list of the top 10 billionaires in Singapore.

(Image: Zhang Yong on the cover of Forbes Asia)

Benz Hui, also known as Hui Shiu-hung, is one of Hong Kong’s top actors. Did you know that he met his wife in the 1980s in Singapore while working on a project? Nowadays, Benz Hui is based in Singapore and lives with his family in Yishun.

(Image: TVB)

New Zealand native and billionaire Richard Chandler is the owner of the Clermont investment group. He moved to Singapore in 2006 and has benefited from the country’s business-friendly policies.

(Image: Clermont)