Divian Nair’s “Pan‑Asian” Predicament
In a candid video with The Royal Singapore, local radio personality Divian Nair spills the tea on a series of “fun” racial mix‑ups that have followed him from the studio to the audition room.
The “Pan‑Asian” Audition Mishap
- Jury panel says “you need to look pan‑Asian.”
- Divian thinks he fits the bill, gets a quick heritage check.
- Result: Reject because he’s a proud Indian‑Chinese mix.
“They turned my dream down like, ‘You look pan‑Asian? OK, now you’re not,’” he recalls laughingably. “One panelist even quipped, ‘Have you ever seen an Indian guy on a condo ad?’ — good jokes in my career, I guess.”
Growing Up in a ‘One‑Size‑Fits‑All’ World
With a childhood full of equal‑opportunity vibes, the DJ’s reality hit hard when opportunities kept slipping through his fingers. “I was suddenly stuck fighting an unfair system,” he says.
From Radio Waves to Reality
Beyond the studio lights, the DJ faced playground pick‑ups and even a neighbor’s “not to hang out with Indian folks” rule. One friend jokingly explained the mysterious “no soccer sign” at a void deck had a “black guy” by its side, as if the world had pockets of exclusion.
Mixed‑Race Challenges in Everyday Life
When Divian confides in his Indian friends about being singled out, they shrug: “You’re not that dark. Duh!” Yet the underlying frustration remains. He felt stuck in a “no man’s land” that tried to force him to either fit a niche or forge a new one.
Finding Humor in the Hardship
He’s learned to live on the bright side: “I’ve turned all of those crumbs into a playlist of resilience.” Divian’s story reminds us that even the lightest humor can’t erase deep-rooted biases, but it can make the journey a little less bleak.
‘What happens if it all ends here?’
Divian’s Mountain‑High Moment: From “What If?” to “Let’s Go!”
After a no‑go audition for a condo ad, Divian was eager to prove himself on the set of a travel series. But even on the screen he felt a little lost.
Climbing to the Cloud
He was recording B‑roll in China, perched on a mountain ridge when the view hit him hard. “My life has been a bit of a slip‑n‑slide,” he said, “What if it all ends here?”
At that instant, he was drained, unsure if his video‑production company, Storyteller Productions, would survive. “Maybe I’ve failed,” he muttered to himself.
Not a Climb, a Check‑In
Chaos didn’t stay for long. He reminded himself of the people who mattered: family, friends, and colleagues. “I’m the sum of all the folks who care about me—my parents, my mates, my crew. I can’t just abandon them because I feel bad.”
Perspective Shift
- He vowed never again to float into a “lost” mindset.
- He re‑prioritised his goals: earn, work, play—so he could actually time for the ones he loves.
- He saw that the real victories were smiles, visits, and less perilous dogs.
He laughed, saying that the real value is in the exchanges that happen when I do for them and they do for me—that’s what everyone’s time is worth.
Bottom Line
Divian’s mountaintop epiphany reminds us that success isn’t about the titles or the money. It’s about the people you touch and the moments you share. Cheers to that—now, let’s get back to work and maybe keep the giant dog out of the dad’s lounge!