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Kelvin Tan
Kelvin Tan
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Kelvin Tan Wei Lian (陈伟联, born 5 October 1981) is a Singaporean Mandopop singer who earned a living as a busker before he won the first edition of Project SuperStar in 2005. He has released three albums, All I Want Is... (2006), i-Weilian (2007) and Moving Notes...Kelvin Tan (2009). He also had a solo concert at the Singapore Expo, lead a choir at the opening ceremony at the 2008 Summer Paralympics, and singing Singapore's 2009 National Day Parade's theme song.

Key Information

Early life

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Born blind due to Leber's congenital amaurosis (which causes the retina to disintegrate), Tan grew up listening to 1980s Mandopop ballads, which inspired him to learn to play the piano and guitar. He studied at the Singapore School for the Visually Handicapped and Dunearn Secondary School.[1] After his O-Levels, he worked as a massage therapist and a singer at a café. He also busked at Jurong East and Waterloo Street, playing his guitar and singing Mandopop ballads for two to eight hours per day.[1][2] According to The New Paper reporter Mindy Tan, his performances drew large crowds (including Malays and Indians), some of whom were so "impressed [by] his music" that they would "sit on the pavement nearby for up to an hour listening to him".[3]

Project SuperStar

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Tan and four blind friends auditioned for the inaugural season of Project SuperStar, but only he was accepted as a contestant.[1] Throughout the competition, there was extensive debate over whether viewers were voting for him out of sympathy and whether a blind man who could not dance deserved the title.

Tan emerged as the male champion and entered the grand final against female champion Kelly Poon. The judges gave Poon more favourable reviews, but Tan garnered 64% of the 533,000 telephone votes. Both finalists also released limited edition singles; Tan's cover of Fairytale (童话) by Michael Wong sold 12,239 copies, while Poon's cover of Lost Goodness (遗失的美好) by Angela Chang sold 11,319 copies.[4] Thus, Tan became the grand champion and was awarded a recording contract with Play Music.[5]

Music career

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Tan's debut album All I Want Is... (我只是想要), which contains four original songs and all of his famous competition recordings including Fairytale (童话), Matchstick Heaven (火柴天堂), Heaven Knows, 其实你不懂我的心, etc.,[5] was certified platinum in Singapore within five days of its release.[6] Its title track topped the Singapore music charts in February 2006,[7] while another of its songs, Touch (触摸 ), won Best Theme Song at the 2006 Star Awards.[8] The debut album also had another TOP chart hit 爱恨难. In total, the album sold 45,000 copies in Singapore and 15,000 copies in Malaysia.[1]

In 2006, Tan staged a solo concert at the Max Pavilion of the Singapore Expo, which sold 5,000 seats.[6]

In 2007, his second album, i-Weilian (i伟联), was released and the song Ordinary Man (普通的人) topped the Singapore charts that October.[7] Besides Ordinary Man, I Love You also hit Number 1 regionally in the Global Music Chart, which consolidates chart results from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and Singapore. His 3rd single, 亲爱的请做个好梦, from the album also hit TOP 5 in Singapore's YES 933 醉心龙虎榜 chart. This album eventually sold 15,000 copies in Singapore and 20,000 copies in Taiwan.[1]

In 2008, Tan and Sun Yajun led a choir rendition of the song, On The Same Blue Planet (同在蓝色星球上), at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Summer Paralympics sailing regatta at Qingdao, China.[9]

In 2009, Kelvin released his third album, Moving Notes...Kelvin Tan (走场陈伟联). This critically acclaimed original album includes his self composed melodies with the biggest lyricists in Chinese music, including Liang Wern Fook, Albert Leung, 小寒, Yao Qian (姚谦), Daryl Yeo (姚若龙), 吴玉康, Lo-Jung Chen, Kevin Yi, etc. It also included a popular interpretation of Chang Yu-sheng's 大海, which had Kelvin playing the piano in the sea in the music video.[citation needed] The songs from the album, Forever Friends (永远的朋友) and Break Up Letter (分手的请书) topped the Singapore charts in October 2009,[7] while the album peaked at 5th in the Taiwan charts in February 2010.[10] In addition, 分手的请书 won two awards at the 2010 Singapore Entertainment Awards and 我们 (Together) won Best Theme Song at the 2010 Star Awards.[8][11] However, his contract with Warner Music expired in September 2010 and was not renewed.[2]

In 2009, he was selected to sing Right Here (就在这里), the Mandarin version of the National Day Parade theme song What Do You See?,[12] and four years later, he sang a tribute song to Singapore named Treasure Every Moment.[13]

In July 2017, Kelvin released brand new Mandarin album 新谣 (The Singapore Songbook),[14] which is a tribute to the heritage of local writers and compositions in Singapore. In it, Kelvin interprets household classic tunes from the 80s, 90s and 00s; including Liang's Friendship Forever (细水长流), 夜的眩晕, 让夜轻轻落下, Dick Lee's Home, Roy Li's 等你等到我心痛, Eric Moo's 你是我的唯一, 情谊藏心里, among others.[14][citation needed] The album was released digitally only and topped the charts at iTunes.[14] The album design was also conceptually done by Singapore renowned artist 阿果.

In 2017, Kelvin's multi-language rendition of a National Day song medley went viral, amassing over 300,000 views on his page alone. The medley consisted of English, Chinese, Malay and Tamil National Day songs, and was highly praised for the sensitivity and fluency of Kelvin's interpretation.[citation needed] The same video went viral again in 2019 to a whole new audience.[citation needed]

In 2019, Kelvin was invited to perform the theme song, 守护你的善良, for Mediacorp's Channel 8 TV Drama, You Can Be An Angel 3 (你也可以是天使3).[15] The song was a hit and well received by audience which won the title of Best TV Drama Theme Song at the 2019 Star Awards.[15]

Acting career

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He acted in the getai movie 881 and several television serials (notably The Dream Chasers), winning Most Popular Newcomer at the 2006 Star Awards.[2][8] However, he declined further roles, describing acting as "not [his] cup of tea because there's nothing else [he] could act as except a blind man".[5] He also participated in variety television shows in Singapore (notably as a guest judge on Campus Superstar) and Taiwan (such as Happy Sunday), but some Taiwanese hosts rejected him over fears that their jokes would offend him.[1] Another controversy arose when he was a contestant on the Singapore Mandarin edition of Don't Forget The Lyrics, as netizens were concerned that being unable to see the monitor would disadvantage him.[citation needed]

Sports career

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In 2015, Tan represented Singapore in Goalball at the 2015 ASEAN Para Games held in Singapore.[16]

Accolades

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Philanthropy

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Due to his disability and achievements, Tan has been an ambassador for several local disability awareness campaigns and performed in various charity shows, including a concert to raise funds for victims of the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.[17] In his spare time, he works as a guide for the Singapore edition of Dialogue in the Dark, an exhibition that helps sighted people understand the experiences of blind people.[2]

Personal life

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Tan lives in a four-room HDB flat in western Singapore, together with his father (a mechanic), mother (a housewife), and younger sister (a research analyst).[1] Despite his success, he continues to take public transport, eat at hawker centres and go out with friends. He enjoys bowling and was one of only two totally blind Singaporeans who played the sport competitively, even winning a competition organised by the blind associations of Singapore and Perth.[18] In 2012, he picked up running, joined RunningHour (a running club for people with disabilities) and participated in the 10 km run of the Singapore Marathon.[13]

In 2020, Tan was engaged. Tan was married to his wife Inez Hung two years later after having met through golfball games.[16][19][20]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Kelvin Tan Wei Lian (born 5 October 1981) is a visually impaired Singaporean singer and songwriter renowned for winning the inaugural season of the pan-regional television singing competition Project SuperStar in 2005. Born with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a causing severe vision loss from birth, Tan supported himself as a street in various locations across prior to his breakthrough on the show. Following his victory, Tan signed with Warner Music and released his hit single "童话" (Fairy Tale) in 2005 and his debut album Wei Lian in 2006, earning him widespread recognition in the scene. He has since become a four-time winner of the in the Best TV Theme Song category and contributed theme songs to popular Singaporean dramas, while also performing in solo concerts such as his 2018 show at the and a 2022 television-themed concert. Beyond music, Tan has ventured into , appearing in series, and serves as a for organizations like the Young Leaders Foundation; he is also proficient in and guitar, performing in multiple languages and dialects. In 2006, he received the Outstanding Young Persons of Singapore Award as a merit winner for his achievements despite his . Tan represented in at the 2015 and married national goalball athlete Inez Hung in January 2022 after a two-year courtship. As of 2025, he continues to perform live, including at events like the Majulah Music Hub in August 2024 and the Prosperity Run in February 2024.

Biography

Early life

Kelvin Tan Wei Lian was born on 5 October 1981 in . He was diagnosed with Leber's congenital amaurosis, a genetic condition that caused blindness from birth by leading to the degeneration of the . Growing up in a modest an family, Tan was exposed to from the through family influences, which sparked his interest in despite his . Despite his , Tan developed a passion for and taught himself to play and guitar by , relying on auditory learning and family encouragement to overcome barriers in accessing traditional instruction methods. His parents adopted a strict approach to , pushing him to be independent and resilient, which helped shape his determination amid societal challenges for the visually impaired in pursuing artistic endeavors. Tan's early aspirations centered on a career, though he faced significant hurdles, including limited opportunities and stereotypes about blind individuals in the . For his education, Tan attended the Singapore School for the Visually Handicapped for , where he received specialized support for his condition, followed by Dunearn Secondary School for his . After completing his O-Levels, he supported himself through various jobs, including working as a massage therapist—a common occupation for visually impaired individuals in —and busking on the streets at locations such as and Waterloo Street. During these performances, he played his guitar and sang songs for hours, honing his skills while facing physical and social obstacles like navigating public spaces unaided and inconsistent earnings.

Personal life

Kelvin Tan met Inez Hung, a national athlete and , in 2016 while participating in games for the visually impaired. The couple became engaged in 2020, with Tan proposing by purchasing flowers for the first time in his life, and they married on January 2, 2022, in a private ceremony at Parkroyal on Kitchener Road attended by approximately 100 relatives and close friends. Following their marriage, Tan and Hung received the keys to their four-room Build-To-Order flat in Tengah in late 2023 and, as of November 2023, were awaiting necessary defect checks and renovations before moving in. As of 2023, the couple has expressed intentions to start a , viewing parenthood as a key bucket-list item despite the potential hereditary risks of from Tan's Leber's congenital amaurosis and Hung's ; Tan has stated he would encourage any children with disabilities to overcome challenges without leniency, drawing from his own experiences. No further developments in family expansion were reported through 2025. In his personal time, Tan pursues adapted physical activities to maintain fitness, including tenpin bowling as a member of Singapore's national Paralympic team and running, activities he has engaged in for years to promote an active lifestyle despite his . For daily and routines, Tan relies on auditory cues, assistive technologies, and the practical support from his , who assists with tasks requiring visual input, enabling a structured home life balanced with his professional commitments.

Career

Project SuperStar

Kelvin Tan auditioned for the inaugural season of Project SuperStar, Singapore's first national singing competition organized by and broadcast on Channel U, in mid-2005. As a visually impaired aspiring singer with prior busking experience, he progressed through multiple audition rounds held across the country, impressing judges with his vocal control and emotional delivery to secure a spot in the male category. Throughout the competition's live shows, Tan showcased key performances that highlighted his interpretive skills, including heartfelt covers of popular ballads. Notable among these was his rendition of "Fairytale" (童话) by Michael Wong during the grand final, which resonated deeply with audiences due to its themes of longing and resilience. Other performances featured tracks that demonstrated his range, earning praise from judges for technical precision despite his . In the grand final on September 1, 2005, at the , Tan competed against female category winner Kelly Poon for the overall championship. Public telepolling determined the outcome, with Tan securing victory by capturing 64% of the 533,000 votes cast, while CD sales of their respective singles contributed 30% to the scoring. As the grand champion, he became the first visually impaired artist to win a major national singing in , significantly boosting visibility and opportunities for performers with disabilities in the local entertainment scene. Immediately following his win, Tan signed a recording contract with Play Music, a subsidiary of Warner Music, marking his professional entry into the industry. He released his debut single, a cover of "Fairytale," which sold 12,239 copies in its initial release tied to the competition, outperforming Poon's single and underscoring the public's enthusiasm for his talent. This breakthrough propelled Tan from street performances to mainstream recognition, inspiring greater inclusion for visually impaired artists.

Music career

Kelvin Tan's music career launched following his win in the inaugural season of Project SuperStar in 2005, propelling him into the Mandopop industry as a professional singer. His debut studio album, All I Want Is... (我只是想要), was released on January 11, 2006, by Warner Music Singapore, featuring four original tracks alongside covers of songs from the competition, blending contemporary Mandopop with emotional ballads that showcased his vocal range. The achieved platinum certification in , reflecting strong initial commercial success and establishing Tan as a rising talent in the regional music scene. In 2007, he followed up with his second studio , i-Weilian (i伟联), released in on August 31 and in on September 18, which included fresh compositions and repackaged editions to appeal to international audiences. His third , Moving Notes...Kelvin Tan (感动音符...陈伟联), arrived in 2009, further exploring introspective themes through arrangements. These early releases solidified his contributions to Singaporean , with sales exceeding 15,000 copies for i-Weilian in alone. In April 2006, Tan held his debut solo concert at the Max Pavilion of the Singapore Expo, performing a diverse setlist in Mandarin, English, Thai, Cantonese, and Hokkien to a capacity crowd, marking a milestone in his live performance career. Notable performances include his appearance at the opening ceremony of the 2008 Beijing Paralympics sailing competition in Qingdao, where he sang "Together on the Blue Planet" (同在蓝色星球上) alongside Chinese artist Sun Yajun, promoting themes of unity and accessibility in sports. In 2009, Tan lent his voice to the Mandarin version of Singapore's National Day Parade theme song, "Right Here" (就在这里), an adaptation of "What Do You See?" by Electrico, performed during the national celebration to inspire national reflection. Tan continued his musical output with the 2017 album The Singapore Songbook (新谣), a collection of covers paying homage to classics by local songwriters, preserving Singapore's cultural musical heritage through reinterpretations of timeless tracks like "Thinking of You" and "Friends Forever." In 2020, he released a single of the classic "Yi Jian Mei" (titled "Xue Hua Piao Piao"), featuring Nyukyung, which gained viral popularity across platforms in . His encompasses these four primary studio albums, supplemented by singles such as those from his early career and appearances on compilations featuring regional artists. While no major albums have been released since 2017, Tan has remained active in performances, including charity events like the Extra·Ordinary Stars fundraiser concert in December 2023 at The Star Theatre, where he performed alongside international and local talents to support people with disabilities.

Acting career

Kelvin Tan debuted in acting in 2006 with the lead role of Kevin in the 13-episode Mandarin drama The Dream Chasers, a romance series centered on students pursuing scholarships, which aired on Channel U and co-starred other Project SuperStar alumni. For this performance, Tan won the Most Popular Newcomer award at the 2006 , recognizing his transition from music to screen. In 2007, he took on a supporting role as Chen Weilian, a street busker, in the getai-themed film 881, directed by , where he also performed a Hokkien song. Tan had already voiced reservations about during the filming of The Dream Chasers, stating, "I don’t want to act anymore," as the demands conflicted with his primary focus on music. After 881, he declined further acting offers to concentrate on his music career and personal growth, resulting in no additional roles reported through 2025.

Sports career

Kelvin Tan was introduced to through his wife, Hung, a national athlete, whom he met while participating in training sessions for the sport. This connection led to his involvement with the national team, where he trained alongside other visually impaired athletes. In 2015, Tan represented in the men's event at the held in , marking the country's debut in the discipline at the regional competition. is a specifically designed for athletes with visual impairments, played on a court where three players per team defend their goal by blocking a ball containing bells, relying entirely on auditory cues to track its movement. To ensure a level playing field, all participants wear blackout eyeshades, emphasizing the development of hearing, touch, and spatial awareness over sight. Training for goalball in Singapore involves rigorous drills to hone sound localization and quick reflexes, including exercises like rolling the bell-filled ball across the court while teammates practice diving blocks on tactile-marked surfaces. Adaptations for visually impaired athletes focus on auditory and tactile feedback, with sessions often conducted in quiet environments to simulate game conditions and build team coordination through verbal and sound-based communication. Following the 2015 Games, Tan has not competed in major international para-sports events, though his experience has sustained his commitment to an active lifestyle amid his .

Achievements and contributions

Accolades

Kelvin Tan has garnered significant recognition for his work in music and acting, most notably through multiple wins at Mediacorp's , where he is a four-time winner of the Best Theme Song award. These accolades highlight his vocal talent and contributions to Singaporean television dramas, often through emotionally resonant theme songs that accompany popular serials. Additionally, his debut album achieved commercial success, and he has been honored for performances at national events. In 2006, shortly after his victory on Project SuperStar, Tan won the Most Popular Newcomer award at the for his acting role in the drama serial The Dream Chasers, marking his breakthrough in the entertainment industry. That same year, his theme song "Touch" (触摸) from the serial The Shining Star (星闪闪) earned him the Best Theme Song award, underscoring his early impact on soundtracks. Also in 2006, he received the Outstanding Young Persons of Award as a merit winner for his achievements despite his . His debut album All I Want Is... (我只是想要), released in 2006, was certified platinum in within five days, reflecting strong public support with sales exceeding 30,000 copies. Tan continued to excel in the Best Theme Song category, winning in 2010 for "Together" (我们) from the serial When We Are Together (我们当我们同在一起), a duet that celebrated unity and became a fan favorite. He secured another win in 2015, collaborating with Joi Chua on "The Promise" (信·约) for The Journey: Tumultuous Times (信约:动荡的年代), praised for its inspirational lyrics amid historical drama. His fourth victory came in 2019 for the theme song of You Can Be an Angel 3 (你也可以是天使3), further cementing his status as a go-to artist for heartfelt television anthems. Beyond formal awards, Tan has received performance recognitions at national celebrations, including singing the Mandarin version of the 2009 National Day Parade theme song, "Right Here" (就在这里), adapted from Electrico's "What Do You See?". He also performed a medley of past National Day theme songs during the 2009 parade, contributing to Singapore's 44th independence festivities and evoking national pride. No major new awards have been reported for Tan from 2020 to 2025, though he remains active in music and public performances.
YearAwardWorkCitation
2006Most Popular Newcomer ()The Dream Chasers (acting)https://www.mediacorp.sg/starawards/past-winners
2006Best Theme Song ()"Touch" from The Shining Starhttps://www.last.fm/music/%25E9%2599%2588%25E4%25BC%259F%25E8%2581%2594/%2Bwiki
2006Platinum Certification (RIAS )All I Want Is... albumhttps://kids.kiddle.co/Kelvin_Tan
2006Outstanding Young Persons of Award (Merit Winner)Achievements despite https://www.nlb.gov.sg/main/artist-detail/music/13618-chen-weilian
2010Best Theme Song ()"Together" from When We Are Togetherhttps://en-academic.com/dic.nsf/enwiki/1326887
2015Best Theme Song ()"The Promise" (with ) from The Journey: Tumultuous Timeshttps://www.liveone.com/artist/joi-chua/9314626
2019Best Theme Song ()Theme song from You Can Be an Angel 3https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/local-singer-kelvin-tan-winner-of-inaugural-project-superstar-is-engaged-to-be
2009Performance Recognition ( Parade)Medley of theme songs and "Right Here"https://www.defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/COMING-TOGETHER-FOR-SINGAPORE-S-44TH-BIRTHDAY-BASH; https://www.todayonline.com/entertainment/music/sing-singapore

Philanthropy

Kelvin Tan has actively contributed to through performances at charity events aimed at supporting causes and disaster relief in . As a visually impaired , he leverages his platform to raise funds and awareness for vulnerable communities. His involvement underscores a commitment to giving back, drawing from his personal experiences to inspire inclusion. In , Tan performed at a cancer charity show in , using his music to support patients and families affected by the disease. He continued this tradition in 2018 by taking the stage at the Community Chest Charity TV Show, where his rendition of songs like "Invisible Wings" helped raise a record $9.6 million for over 80 social service organizations, including those aiding people with disabilities. These performances highlight his role in mobilizing public support for broader social welfare initiatives. More recently, Tan participated in the inaugural Extra·Ordinary Stars fundraising concert on December 1, 2023, at The Star Performing Arts Centre. Organized by Extra•Ordinary People, the event featured collaborations with artists like and Benjamin Kheng to benefit disability-focused charities such as Extra•Ordinary People, Happee Hearts Movement, and , emphasizing empowerment and inclusion for persons with disabilities. Beyond performances, Tan advocates for disability rights through media appearances and public discussions on the challenges faced by visually impaired individuals in and . In a 2021 CNA interview, he highlighted how tools like Zoom enable visually impaired professionals to participate fully in work discussions, countering misconceptions about their capabilities and promoting greater workplace inclusion. His efforts as an ambassador for the 2005 Singapore Disability Awareness Public Education Campaign further promoted the abilities and employability of people with , fostering public education on inclusion.

References

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