For many, first impressions are like the opening scene of a blockbuster movie—exciting, impactful, and utterly unforgettable. Imagine stepping onto a stage, the spotlight all yours. The way you shine in those initial moments can set the tone for everything that follows, influencing relationships and even success.
But for internet personality and content creator Evan Tan, it’s different. Chill and simple, but at the same time adventurous, Evan prefers to keep things easy going from the start, believing that simplicity lets his true personality shine through. With 15 million followers, he’s all about embracing the moment without overthinking it, because, as the saying goes, what flows, flows.
“I’m not the type of person to say too much, especially when meeting someone for the first time. I think it’s good to keep things simple, without expectations or strong first impressions,” he shares. “I just go with the flow of the conversation and see if we click.”
This laid-back approach is part of what makes Evan so relatable to his massive audience. His content reflects this philosophy—unpretentious, spontaneous, and always true to himself. Whether he’s sharing a candid moment from his day or going on a new adventure, there’s an authenticity that resonates with his followers. They aren’t drawn to a carefully curated persona, but rather to the real Evan, who isn’t afraid to show his quirks and imperfections.
“I feel like 2024 so far has been a year of trying new things and knowing myself more,” he reflects on the first half of the year. “So I think it’s an adventurous year. I explored music, hosting and met new people this year among other things.”
But looking back, with where he is right now in the digital space, doing acting on the sidelines, hosting, modeling and now singing, releasing his first song just recently titled “Prettiest Girl.” and a second song coming, he never really envisioned where he is right now.
For Evan, it feels crazy how things would change in a few years. Although he had always dreamed of attending red carpets, meeting famous people, and gaining a large following, he never really expected it to become a reality. The thought of reaching this level of success seemed unlikely to him at the time.
But, he’s all but grateful, saying, “So I’m really just blessed to be where I am now and I could say it’s only God who could’ve paved the way for me to be where I am now.”
Most importantly, for the multi-faceted artist, success isn’t measured by the number of followers he has, but by the connections he’s made and the lives he’s touched. His goal is to inspire others to live life without fear of judgment or failure as his journey to becoming a social media star wasn’t about chasing fame or crafting the perfect image. Instead, it was about sharing his life as it is—messy, unpredictable, and full of surprises. His followers appreciate that he doesn’t put on airs or try to be someone he’s not.
“I think feeling the love from my fans is the most rewarding. I feel happy when they get happy just by meeting me,” he mentions.
As expected, when asked about his future plans for the second half of the year, he candidly admits that he doesn’t actually know. He prefers not to set expectations, as he finds them stressful, stating, “I like to focus on what I can do now and see where it goes from there.”
For the latest #LifeInSync feature, Parcinq sat down with Evan to get to know him better, delving into his personality and how he navigates life in the spotlight.
Q. Favorite travel destination?
Evan: “Recently, I went to South Korea, where I had the chance to explore like a local, meet and collaborate with K-pop idols, and even receive an award. As a fan of K-pop and K-drama, I really enjoyed my time there. But if you were to ask me where I’d like to go next, I’d say New York.”
Q. Any noteworthy events or achievements?
Evan: “Personal achievement! I’m quite introverted, so exploring music and hosting was something outside of my comfort zone. I’m also trying to be more lively as a content creator. Additionally, I received a Global Creator Award in South Korea and released my first song. Now, I’m working on a second one.”
Q. What’s the best advice you have ever received in your life?
Evan: “There’s a saying that I really like: ‘Don’t tell God how big your problems are. Tell your problems how big your God is.’ It’s a good reminder that helps me relax and stay at peace when I feel overwhelmed.”
Q. What aspirations do you have in the modeling industry?
Evan: “Soon, I’d really love to work with luxury brands more and even go to Paris fashion week. I think it would be really fun!”
Q. Outside of work, what are some of your hobbies that readers might find surprising or intriguing?
Evan: “Recently, I’ve been going to the gym more and also singing and playing my guitar. An interesting fact that they might find surprising is that I graduated cum laude in mechanical engineering and also passed the licensure exam.”
Q. Are there any new or existing goals or dreams you would want to pursue?
Evan: “Definitely music. I really enjoy the music process and I want to put out better songs so please wait for my upcoming songs! I hope you’ll like them!”
-----
Photography by Raymond Cauilan Featuring Evan Tan Grooming by Lionel Fabros
Styling by Dave Arden
Words and Interview by Jacob Santos
It's nice to read such an article where in positivity can radiate naturally. Spotlight tends to change direction over a course of time. But Mr. Evan Tan tends to illuminate rather than merely shine and I think that's what sets him apart from other celebrities. To be blatantly honest, success looks good on him so I'm always ready to raise a glass for more! ❤️