Actress and singer Nathania Ong recently revisited the place where her performing journey first began, joining Singapore Prime Minister Lawrence Wong for a conversation about the experiences, mentors, and milestones that shaped her path from school stages to international productions.
During the visit, PM Wong sat down with Nathania at her alma mater Methodist Girls' School, where they looked through old photographs from her school years and traced the beginnings of her love for performing. From cheerleading and school talent competitions to singing opportunities and early stage experiences, the conversation offered a personal look at how her passion for the arts first took root.
The exchange also touched on the support Nathania received from educators and family members, including former principal Dr Chi Ong, who encouraged her artistic pursuits during her time at school. Nathania shared how she became known as the "Bless the School girl" after recording a song that was played daily on campus, and revealed that Dr Ong later attended one of her performances in London.
Speaking with PM Wong, Nathania reflected on the pivotal moments that helped her fall in love with singing, acting, and eventually musical theatre. She recalled participating in school talent competitions before later joining drama in junior college, an experience that deepened her interest in acting and helped guide her towards the stage.
PM Wong also highlighted the importance of nurturing different pathways of excellence for Singaporeans, noting in his accompanying message that Nathania’s journey is a reminder that dreams can take people far when they are willing to work hard, persevere, and step beyond their comfort zones.
Nathania credited her parents for supporting her ambitions from a young age, recalling how they encouraged her desire to pursue performance opportunities after recognising how much she enjoyed being on stage.
She also opened up about her educational journey, which included a year studying acting at LASALLE before pursuing musical theatre training in the United Kingdom. According to Nathania, the contrasting approaches to acting between Singapore and the UK helped shape her development as a performer, giving her both physical and mental tools that continue to influence her work today.
Discussing her career after graduation, Nathania revealed that she faced numerous auditions before landing her first professional role in a limited run of Be More Chill. Just weeks later, she secured the role of Eponine in Les Misérables, marking a significant step in her professional journey.
While acknowledging the challenges of working in a competitive industry, Nathania described performing on the West End as both rewarding and humbling. She shared that periods of uncertainty are often followed by new opportunities, encouraging aspiring performers to remain patient, continue developing their craft, and create opportunities for themselves where possible.
Looking ahead, Nathania expressed a desire to continue exploring different forms of acting beyond musical theatre, including voice work, television, and screen acting.
As PM Wong noted, Nathania’s story reflects what is possible when Singaporeans are given the space to grow, take risks, and share their talents with the world. From school performances in Singapore to stages abroad, she continues to represent Singaporean talent on the global stage.
As she continues to expand her horizons across stage and screen, Nathania Ong's journey stands as a testament to the power of perseverance, passion, and believing in one's dreams. From school performances to acclaimed productions abroad, she continues to inspire a new generation Singapore's of aspiring performers to chase their ambitions without fear.
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