Monday February 16, 2009

Expanding her horizon

By WILLIAM K.C. KEE

Hannah Tan has relocated to Tokyo to break into Japan’s showbiz industry.

THE GIRL can’t help it. Being sexy, that is. In every photograph taken for this profile on her, Hannah Tan oozes sensuality, even though we tell her to vary her moods.

“Hannah, try looking sad,” instructs this scribe. She puts on a frown but her body language says otherwise. “Hannah, look angry,” I try again. Nope, didn’t work.

Former beauty queen and computer science graduate Hannah Tan aims to popularise Malaysian entertainment content abroad, through her music and movie scripts.

In the end, the best pictures were of Hannah doing what Hannah does best: her lips forming a slight pout, hands on the hips and eyes peering seductively into the camera’s lens. Bear in mind this is not a complaint. After all, Hannah Tan is best remembered as the sultry pop singer who was once voted by men’s magazine FHM as the most desirable woman in Malaysia. It didn’t help that for her Crossing Bridges debut album in 2006, Hannah was clad in little else but a white and pink bikini.

In person, the former beauty queen – second runner-up at the 2002 Miss Global Petite World Finals in Montreal and voted Miss Congeniality – lives up to the subsidiary title. She is every interviewer’s dream; not only does she show up on time, she comes with snacks for the crew. Come interview time, she answers every query candidly, even if it veers into sensitive territory, and always with a radiant smile.

Having relocated to Tokyo to break into Japan’s showbiz industry, Hannah jet-setted back to Kuala Lumpur recently for this shoot. She wastes no time in updating us on her life so far in the Land of the Rising Sun.

“I have been attending Japanese language classes regularly,” says the Penang-born Hannah who turns 28 this October. “It is important, especially in Japan, to know the language and culture in order to make your presence felt.”

Also keeping Hannah busy in Tokyo is the pre-production work on her new album, Redefined. “I have matured and grown a lot since Crossing Bridges,” asserts the half-Chinese, half-Kelabit beauty. “Now, I am doing things the way I want.

Hannah in a candid mood.

“My second album reflects the person I truly am and the experiences I have been through. It is self-funded and self-produced, and the tracks are personally written. Working on the album is a journey. I’d love to tell you more when I finally have something to show you.”

Since her win at the afore-mentioned beauty pageant, Hannah – a graduate in computer science – has gained fame for her numerous appearances on television. She has hosted a range of TV shows such as financial programme Ringgit Sense, reality dating show What Women Want and wellness series Looking Good, Feeling Good.

She also appeared on stage at the Live and Loud KL 2007 concert before acts such as Elliott Yamin, Shaggy and Whitney Houston. In November 2007, Hannah’s manga-friendly looks caught the attention of Sony Pictures which appointed her the ambassador for Animax Asia.

Early last year, acting beckoned, and Hannah ventured into the Malay entertainment scene by playing the lead role in telemovie Bezanya Cinta which touched on inter-racial romance. Last October, she was cast in award-winning director Afdlin Shauki’s My Spy (which will hit the Malaysian movie circuit sometime this year), alongside AC Mizal and Harun Salim Bachik.

Bridge nearly broken

While Hannah comes across as an approachable, accessible artiste, the Hannah of three years ago was not so. Prior to the Crossing Bridges album released in 2006, Hannah was managed by a branding agency, which proposed unusual marketing strategies to propel her to stardom.

Her good looks, talent and great personality have been Hannah’s ticket to fame.

First, Hannah Tan’s moniker was changed to Hannah T, and all media editorials had to adhere to the strict stipulation of referring to her as Hannah T. Also, she could only wear white and pink for public appearances and photo shoots.

The most bizarre of all was perhaps the Hannah T handshake; when Hannah met people, she greeted them with one finger, the other person would respond like-wise, and both their fingers met to forma ‘T’.

There was also talk that the agency hiked up Hannah’s emceeing job fees to four times above the market rate.

Then came the Crossing Bridges CD release that featured pictures of a digitally-enhanced Hannah in a swimsuit. This was followed by a music video in which she strutted in a bikini, on a beach, singing a Christmas song, while Jamaican-looking guys jumped up and thumped one another’s chests in mid-air.

Did she have any doubts then?

“Of course, I had questions at the back of my mind as to why I had to do this and that,” admits Hannah. “But I had little knowledge of branding at that time, which was why I left it to the agency. I respected their expertise although the application of their branding theories came across as rather unconventional to the Malaysian market. Whenever I questioned them, they always had an explanation for their moves.

“For instance, my album pictures and music video featured me around elements of water because it was to illustrate the idea of swimming through seas of challenges in an effort to advance to the next level,” explains Hannah.

When things didn’t work out as planned, Hannah parted ways with the branding agency in 2007 to re-assert her own image, and has since dropped the ‘T’ to return to her more down-to-earth persona as Hannah Tan.

Looking East

Now Hannah is prepared for possibly the biggest challenge of her career – conquering the Japanese market. She gives herself up to two years there to popularise Malaysian entertainment content through her music and movie scripts, apart from looking for new business opportunities.

“Japan is a leader in digital technology, so I’m trying to see what I can bring back to change the way people do business in the entertainment industry,’’ she explains. Hannah realises that Japan is one of “the toughest, yet most essential markets in Asia to penetrate.”

Hannah’s ambition – as lofty as it may sound – is to “encourage Malaysian youth to exercise their skills to make a difference for our country and contribute to the economy without waiting for the government to spoonfeed us with resources.” She adds that there is no better way to reinforce that statement than to take the first step herself.

“I am inspired by fellow Malaysians Zang Toi, Datuk Jimmy Choo, Datuk Michelle Yeoh, Datuk Nicol David and many others who have taken the initiative to create a global visibility for Malaysia within their respective industries, and in their own unique way,” enthuses Hannah. “The power to make the difference for our country is not just in the hands of the politicians – it lies in each and every one of us.”

This avid do-gooder has always been one to lead by example. Last October, Hannah self-funded the ‘H’ Factor Nationwide Creative Youth Workshop, a pioneering four-state community service initiative targeting young people across the country. Promoting development of creative talent among Malaysian youth, it featured nine speakers covering different topics, among them Comedy & Theatre by Harith Iskander, Film & Acting by Hans Isaac, Motion Graphics & Animation by animator Joey Khor and Mentalism by magician David Lai.

‘’The main issue was getting the funds and asking people for money, which was a very humbling experience,” recalls Hannah. On the issue of money, Hannah is quick to dispel perhaps the biggest misconception about her – that she receives financial assistance from male admirers.

“The little that I own have all been earned through my own sweat and blood,” she says.

“I work very hard to achieve the goals I’ve set for myself, which includes buying my own car, paying my own bills and being able to send money home.”

While she is frank in her comments regarding work, Hannah is elusive when it comes to her love life. “Let’s just say I am married to my career at the moment!”

When she is away in Japan, Hannah misses her family the most, being close to her Penang-based parents Daniel Tan, 55, and Aran Ibuh, 52. “The support and prayers from my parents have made a difference in my life and career. Their advice is never to compromise my integrity, and to always put God first.”

As we wrap up our shoot for the day, Hannah – true to her Miss Congeniality status – produces a box of chocolates to show her appreciation. She ends the interview with this bon mot: “It’s been months since I had a proper day off. But then again, I have no regrets because I love my work. Like they say, when you enjoy what you do, you’ll never have to work a day in your life!”

Credits

Photos
Raymond Ooi/The Star

Styling
Kainen Setiawan

Wardrobe
Materiel and Variante, Pavilion Kuala Lumpur

Location
Werner’s Restaurant, Changkat Bukit Bintang, KL

What others say about Hannah Tan

Aziz M. Osman, award-winning film director and actor

“When I first found out I was going to act with Hannah Tan in My Spy, my jaw dropped. What ... Hannah Tan? My FHM 2006 issue with Hannah on its cover is still in mint condition. Does that answer your question of how much I like her?

Before our meeting, I was prepared to be ignored and rejected. But when we were introduced, she took my hand, held it firmly, looked straight into my eyes and said, ‘Hi, abang Aziz.’ That first encounter with this fantasy poster girl really changed my perception about Hannah Tan. She is smart, approachable, positive, hardworking, highly disciplined and most of the time, smiling. I always ask myself, ‘Why is she so good to me? What does she want from me?’ But I find that Hannah treats everybody like that!”

Datuk Tony Fernandes, CEO of AirAsia

“Hannah is a remarkably driven girl. Her determination to succeed excites me. Most important is her humility and her belief in her beloved country, Malaysia.”

John Lim, former editor of New Man which featured Hannah on the cover last August.

“I am sure it’s a well-calculated move on her part to move to Tokyo, and she’s going there with a drawn-out strategy with the necessary support. Whether she succeeds or not is up to the Japanese market but she’s definitely got the J-pop star look.

Over the many interviews I have done with Hannah, she has portrayed herself as an accommodating, smart and ambitious woman who doesn’t want to settle down for an ordinary life. She’s an unattainable, outta-my-league woman with a girl-next-door attitude. What man wouldn’t find that appealing?”

Syed Mohammed Idid, Hannah’s publicist

“When I met Hannah half a decade ago, what struck me was that she’s a gorgeous young lady who is very determined and devoted to her passion. She is humble to boot and a true professional to work with. If she promises a proposal, it will be in your e-mail inbox by 6am the next day. It’s truly a privilege to be part of her team and to help her build her own brand.”

For updates on Hannah Tan in Japan, visit her website www.hannahtan.com.