It's hard to make close friends in showbiz if you're constantly pitted against each other.
'There was always a sense of competition': Desmond Tan on his rivalry with Romeo Tan when they were part of the 8 DukesNew: You can now listen to articles.Chris came in second in 1995, while Felicia won the competition in 2003. Desmond was a finalist in 2007, and Romeo placed fourth in 2010
“I feel at times, the competition was unhealthy. I remember there was an incident where we all attended an event for the same show. I dressed up for the event, but later, there was feedback about how I dressed better than another ‘princess’. I became very self-conscious, and wondered if I should dress down. I was only in my 20s, and I didn’t know what to think of it.”
“Honestly, I was quite opposed to it back then. I’m very assertive when it comes to my life and my career. I didn’t want to be grouped together with others, in the sense that my career had to operate with a 'template'. We all entered the industry at different times as well, so I was really quite against it.”
Romeo revealed that of the Eight Dukes, he’s closest to Ian Fang. He was, however, left speechless when Chris asked “who he hated the most”.Desmond quickly stepped in to answer the question. “The rivalry was more of a work rivalry, which was made into a thing by the media," he said.“The me back then would be unhappy. I would think that I could do better, and I would be upset with myself. I’m more competitive by nature,” said Desmond.
“Honestly, Desmond and I don’t chat much. Maybe it was because of all the comparisons in the past. It’s hard to be good friends when you’re always being compared to each other. Now, we’re not in that phase anymore. He has his strengths, and I have mine.”
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