From The Straits Times    |
5 minutes with Nat Ho

5 minutes with Nat HoHis recent blonde ‘do is hard to miss in a crowd, much like his infectious personality. But Nat Ho insists that he’s actually quite the introvert and likes to spend time by himself playing D3 or swimming when he’s not in the public eye.

But we’ve seen and heard plenty from this cheeky multi-hyphenate in the past few months. From his newly-launched music video to his appearance on the steamy cooking show, Hot Guys Who Cook, it seems that this self-proclaimed carb-lover has got plenty on his plate.

We chat with him about chickens and the kitchen:

HWP: You’ve been busy with a number of projects lately, like launching your new album and filming Hot Guys Who Cook. Between singing, acting and cooking, which would you say you enjoy the most?
Nat Ho: Can I tell you which one I like the least? It’s actually cooking. [Laughs] It’s such a hassle, I’d rather eat!

HWP: So I gather you don’t cook much at home?
NH: Only if my parents aren’t around and it’s just my brother and myself at home. Nothing fancy like steak and potato salad though! I actually bought a steamer recently and have been steaming everything I can get my hands on and eating it in front of my computer. I imagine that’s what a bachelor’s life would be like.

HWP: Do you have a funny kitchen experience you’d like to share?
NH: Once, my brother and I tried to surprise my mom by cooking chicken rice for her when we were younger, and it was only then that I realised how much work goes into cleaning a chicken! We had to pull out all the innards and even after washing my hands with soap a few times, the smell lingered for a few hours! Luckily, the chicken rice turned out alright.

HWP: You’ll be cooking steak and potato salad on Hot Guys Who Cook. Is there a particular reason why you chose that dish?
NH: I actually made the potato salad for my cast members when I was in the musical, 881, and they liked it; so I figured I should do something tried and tested.

HWP: Any special ingredient in it?
NH: Um… bacon oil? [Laughs]

HWP: What food brings back childhood memories?
NH: Porridge. When I was young my mom used to make this porridge dish where she would add ground ikan bilis powder in. It was very simple but very yummy.

HWP: We’ve all seen your rather impressive body in Polo Boys. So do follow a strict diet?
NH: No, I eat anything and everything. Now that I’m older though, I try to watch my diet a bit more, but if I have to do a topless shoot, I would need to know at least a month in advance so I can prepare for it. Unfortunately, I’m not one of those guys who can whip my shirt off anytime.

HWP: So what can we expect from you in the coming months?
NH: I was hoping to save up for another music video, but there seems to be some developments overseas, that I can’t reveal much yet. Acting might have to take a backseat at the moment because I can’t commit to long-term projects, so the focus is still definitely going to be on singing.

Catch Nat Ho on Hot Guys Who Cook tonight, July 30, at 9pm on Diva Universal (Starhub Channel 552). For more information, visit www.divauniversal.asia/hot-guys-who-cook-0.