Mediacorp cutting salaries. No doubt all youngsters
leaving.
Nat Ho also leaving if cant get the contract he wants, as reported
by the media few days back.
"An entertainer never really leaves the entertainment
business."
With that, the winner for this year's Favourite Male Character
summed up the mass exodus happening on Caldecott Hill, and
reassured his fans that would be the case with him too.
Nat Ho will leave his current employer MediaCorp after his contract
ends in June, joining a growing list of departing or departed
artistes that include Jesseca Liu, Dawn Yeoh, Adrian Pang, Charlyn
Lin, Peixuan, Jeff Wang and Fiona Xie.
But the good-looking lad tells xinmsn in an exclusive interview
he'll still be around, as he pursues his "real passion" -
music.
"There is a lot of stuff I want to try while I'm still young.
Because of my age, I think it's the right time to leave. You know,
I'm old enough, yet not too old to try other things," he said.
"I've an itch for singing! If I never try I'll regret it!"
Nat previously mentioned that his original intentions in signing on
to MediaCorp four years ago were "to build [his] foundations and to
network," which he has achieved.
The former Singapore Idol contestant will take a diploma in audio
engineering "to familiarize [himself] with the ins and outs of
music production," and will also venture into F&B business with
a cousin.
Is there no way to juggle the many hats?
Nat feels that something has got to give, but conceded that the
latest contract offer by the company played a major part in his
decision.
xinmsn understands the two-year extension doesn't include a pay
rise for the rising star.
"It's always a combination of factors. There were pull factors
already, and then that contract came...," the 25-year-old stopped,
without elaborating.
Nat first thought of leaving two years ago, but stayed on to
support his family. This time, it took him a few months of
consideration.
That also meant he had already made the decision when he was voted
Favourite Male Character at Star Awards 2010, leaving the mass
communication diploma holder in a dizzy.
"You saw I was quite emotional [when my name was announced]. There
were a lot of things going through my mind. It's a really strange,
heart-aching feeling, to give me this when I'm leaving."
But no, he doesn't see it as "coming too late," as reported by
other local media.
"It's more a nice farewell gift."
The actor was at the press conference of his last drama serial,
With You, when he broke the news. He admitted that he hadn't
intended for it to be so soon, but the media event's mood caused
the confession.
At the press conference, soon-to-leave thespian Adrian Pang pleaded
for "good scripts, roles, dialogue and opportunities" for local
actors so that "talent won't go to waste."
His co-stars Chen Hanwei, Chen Shucheng and May Phua followed the
lead and poured their hearts out on the matter, quoting a
generation of skilled artisans lost - Huang Biren, Ivy Lee, Jacelyn
Tay, Phyllis Quek, Carole Lin, Joey Swee, Florence Tan and Huang
Yiliang.
Other than the wage packet and his desire to explore other
interests, is Nat leaving due to limited opportunities in
MediaCorp?
"To be very frank, no. I never wanted to be an actor. All this came
as a bonus.
"Anyway, even if there's a pay rise I may still leave," he
quipped.
Since the Anglo-Chinese School alum has made the decision, what
will he miss the most?
"My friends here.
"People say in the entertainment circles everyone is more like
colleagues, but I really consider them friends. Many of them are so
warm even though we don't really know each other," he said
earnestly, adding that his best friends are Elvin Ng and Felicia
Chin, who herself revealed on Labour Day she'd return to her books
in a few months' time if a local or overseas business school
accepts her application.
In With You, Nat plays younger brother to Hanwei, a role he
considers his "most challenging to date," because the ghost of his
dead brother will later possess him, requiring the pretty face to
'become' Hanwei's character.
"It was hard, especially because [the ghost] is much older than me,
and has a wife and kid."
Acting with the two screen kings of Hanwei and Adrian must have
ensured a steep learning curve.
"Channel 8 dramas are less subtle so Adrian brings something
different with his background in theatre and Channel 5. The energy
he gives off is also very comfortable.
"Hanwei is much more technical and I learnt those aspects from him.
Plus he's really passionate about what he does."
The drama will, however, not be the actor's only appearance in the
coming weeks. He is doing a three-peat returning as presenter on
Channel 5's National Science Challenge 2010.
According to him, fans can see a "wackier" Nat Ho. The schools game
show has also been extended to an hour long.
Finally, what does the idol want to say to his notoriously adoring
fans, before we next hear from him?
"Don't be sad. I'm not retiring! I hope they can continue to
support whatever I do. Wo zai ni zuo you (the Chinese title for
With You, literally 'I am around you')!"
With You debuts 12 May, 9pm on Channel 8.
