August’s “Who Do We Admire?” Challenge
It’s that time of year when Singaporeans should be strutting around wearing bright blue ribbons and singing the national anthem. Or maybe you’re just hoping for a meme‑filled coffee break?
Why The Big Questions Matter
Recently, YouGov knocked on the door of 1,112 Singaporeans and asked a simple question:
- “Who is the person you admire the most?”
The answer that stole the spotlight was none other than Michelle Obama, garnering an impressive 12.58 % of the cheers.
What Makes Michelle so Irresistible?
She’s the kind of former First Lady who drives a point home but still keeps a heartfelt smile. From championing education to standing up for women’s rights, she’s a running‑start track for strong, compassionate leaders—right up the top of the global ranking, by the way.
But Where Are The Local Heroes?
Drum roll… there’s a surprise: the top five favorite spots—yes, the very first five—are entirely foreign names. In fact, the first 17 slots are decked out with celebrities and public figures from around the world.
- David Attenborough – Our natural wonder guy.
- Narendra Modi – The dynamic leader from India.
- Millie Bobby Brown – That teen actress with the green hair.
- Plenty more—think big global entertainers and thoughtful political luminaries.
What Does This Tell Us?
Maybe Singapore really is global—or maybe the local cultural icons just haven’t got the same international brand magic yet. Either way, it’s a gentle reminder that the world’s gaze often hangs on foreign stars. Are we proud enough to step into that spotlight, or do we need to start a “Singapore‑Star Spotlight” movement?
Singapore’s Star‑Studded Surge in Global Celebrity Poll
Before anyone starts throwing yells or putting on the “foul‑proof” filter, let’s admit that the data was carefully carved from nominations across a whopping 41 countries. Each nation hand‑picked the public figures they look up to, and then a poll was rolled out featuring the cream of the crop—those who picked up the most nominations. To keep things spicy locally, every country was also handed a custom list of its top ten beloved figures.
So, yes, there were at least ten prominent Singaporeans gracing the ballot slip that highly‑coveted contest.
- Prime Minister Lee Hsien‑Loong – 3.32% (18th place)
- President Halimah Yacob – 3.31% (19th place)
- Ho Ching – 3.28% (20th place)
- Mandopop sensation JJ Lin (based in Taiwan) – 3.27% (21st place)
So, what happened to the other six Singaporean locals that made the list?
Well, it’s a bit of a mystery, but the sheer fact that Singapore saw four names in the rankings is a clear notch higher than back in 2018, when only Mr. Lee and President Yacob made the cut. It could be that the Singaporean public is finally realizing how many stars they have at home—or maybe the pollsters got more creative this year. Either way, the numbers speak for themselves: these four hold their own in a global crowd of celebrities.
Let the Discussions Roll!
We’ve handed you the facts. Now, go ahead and unleash your own opinions. Are you surprised? Maybe a bit jealous? Or do you feel proud? We’re curious to hear exactly how you’d decode these results.
Who’s Got the Fans’ Attention? Let’s Dive In!
Take a closer look at the latest poll results, and you’ll see a pretty obvious split between the folks we find admirable on the male and female sides.
Men Who Rise to the Top
From the cool vibes of former US President Barack Obama to the entrepreneurial genius behind Alibaba, Jack Ma, and the football legend turned style icon, David Beckham, the list of men people praise is largely made up of leaders in politics, business, and sports. The curve hasn’t budged much from last year’s tally.
Women Who Own the Spotlight
Over at the other end, it’s all about entertainers. Talk‑show champ Ellen DeGeneres, the firecracker Chinese actress Yang Mi, and the glamorous model Angelababy snag the top spots. Funny enough, Fan Bingbing makes a quiet exit—she’s been out of the limelight after tax‑avoidance drama and letting go of her engagement with actor Li Chen.
What Does All This Tell Us?
Honestly, the list is filled with respectable figures, so we can still brag that the local crowd’s taste is pretty solid. If you’re not convinced by these results, keep an eye out for the 2020 survey. With YouGov’s newest data, we might see local stars climb into the mix.
