Xenia Tan & Shawn Thia: A yin-yang romance
The celebrity duo show the power of differences done right
SCIENCE MAY INSIST THAT SIMILARITIES fuel successful relationships, but newlywed duo Xenia Tan and Shawn Thia seem determined to prove otherwise. The actors and content creators are living, thriving proof that opposites not only attract – they can shine together under the brightest spotlights.
“I’m an introvert,” Thia admits with disarming candour. “If I can stay home and play games for hours without talking to anyone, I’m okay with it. But Xenia’s the opposite – she’s a people person and always needs to connect with others. It’s something I admire and learn from.”
Tan, glowing at her husband’s words, responds with equal warmth: “I love being with people and thrive on social interaction. But since we’ve been together, we’ve influenced each other. I’ve become a bit more introverted, preferring to host friends at home rather than going out. Meanwhile, Shawn has adjusted to my big, extended family gatherings during Chinese New Year.”
It’s a union that defies the conventional wisdom of psychology. Studies suggest that couples with shared values, habits and routines are more likely to endure, with compatibility serving as the bedrock of marital bliss. Yet Tan and Thia’s improbable pairing challenges this narrative – and triumphs against it.
“When we got married in November 2024, we made a decision to always choose commitment over conflict,” Tan says, her words resolute but tender. “If there are difficulties or challenges, we approach them as a team. Breaking up is never a weapon in our arguments, and that’s been key to our stability.”
The dichotomy between them is striking: his social battery depletes in large gatherings, while hers recharges. But rather than clashing, these differences have become the defining feature of their brand.
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Their chemistry first ignited on the set of TV series The Algorithm in 2021. It paved the way for substantial social media followings, collaborations with Italian luxury house Bvlgari, and two major films opening this January: Jack Neo’s laugh-out-loud comedy I Want To Be Boss and Chris Yeo’s critically acclaimed Stranger Eyes.
First Chinese New Year as newlyweds
The upcoming Chinese New Year marks a major milestone for them: it’s their first time celebrating as husband and wife. If anything is sparking Thia’s curiosity, it’s the time-honored tradition of the hongbao (red packet).
“I was thinking, ‘Oh no, do I need to give hongbao now?’” Thia confesses. “But then I found out there’s a first-year exemption for married couples. So we’re fine for now!”
Tan nods in agreement: “We’re both quite clueless with these traditions, but we’ll figure it out together.”
Despite the minor scramble over hongbao etiquette, Tan finds real joy in the festival’s spirit of renewal. “I love it because it’s a time for everyone to come together. Some of my best memories are spent at my grandaunt’s house, which was the central meeting point for the extended family. She’d cook and we’d queue for her legendary fried chicken wings. Then we’d stay up all night talking and laughing. It’s that sense of closeness.”
For Thia, who grew up in a smaller household, Chinese New Year conjures up images of mahjong and poker marathons. “One of the highlights of CNY was learning to gamble,” he says in half-jest. “I don’t mind being in a corner playing cards while everyone else chats away.”
Tan recalls those early days of bringing Thia into her sprawling family fold. “My family is big, friendly, and kind of loud,” she says, laughing. “About 50 of us were going up to Kukup, in Johor, and the night before, Shawn found out we were all going to be crammed into a chalet with three rooms – some sleeping on mattresses. He panicked and said: ‘I can’t do it, I just can’t!’”
In the end, Tan secured him the top bunk of one of the bunk beds to offer at least a sliver of privacy. By the time the weekend wrapped, Thia had found his place among her family members.
Still, there are customs he has to ease into – such as the marathon steamboat sessions his wife partakes in during Chinese New Year. She gushes: “I could eat steamboat every day with everyone I know – I just love steamboat. But Shawn maxes out after two or three days. He absolutely can’t do four.”
His true culinary passion lies in pineapple tarts instead. “Whenever I see pineapple tarts at someone’s house, I have to try them.” In 2024, Thia teamed up with his brother-in-law to start a small business called Sneaky Little Tarts. Its handmade pineapple tarts delivered personally to customers were a hit with their fans, with hundreds of boxes sold in a few days.
“We wanted it to be personal,” Thia explains. “It was exhausting but rewarding to meet our customers and hear their feedback first hand. Unfortunately, we’re taking a break this year because of the renovation of our new home and our busy work schedules.”
Big breaks, bold plans
2025 is certainly a big year for the couple. Thia is making his feature film debut in Neo’s I Want to Be Boss, a Chinese New Year comedy set in the future where artificial intelligence has permeated various aspects of people’s lives. “Jack’s sets are big, with up to 60 people working simultaneously,” Thia says. “It’s a different universe from our smaller world of content creation, where we often have complete creative control.”
Tan, meanwhile, is celebrating the Singapore release of Stranger Eyes, a drama on voyeurism that has already earned raves at the Venice Film Festival and Taipei Golden Horse Film Festival. “Working with director Chris (Yeo) gave me so much creative freedom,” she shares. “It’s rare for a director to trust an actor’s interpretation fully, and I’m grateful for the experience.”
Despite their busy schedules, the couple is keen on expanding their horizons. “We’ve been talking about learning Thai together,” Tan reveals. “We love Thai culture and food, and picking up the language feels like a natural step.” Thia agrees: “Thailand’s market is booming. It’s competitive, but it’s worth exploring.”
The couple also plans to travel more in the coming year. “We’re considering South Africa or Australia for our honeymoon – something we haven’t had yet because we’ve been so busy,” Thia shares. “We want to go somewhere with nature, where we can reconnect and recharge.”
Looking back, they express gratitude for the opportunities they’ve had. “We wouldn’t be here without the kindness and support of so many people,” Tan says. “From friends and family to brands like Bvlgari that took a chance on us, we’re just so thankful.”
Despite their personality differences, the couple have one shared goal: supporting the other’s distinct needs – be it a full-day gaming break for him, or a marathon steamboat session for her. It’s a partnership of contrasts, but also of harmony and synergy. And if one lesson stands out, it’s that sometimes love depends not on finding someone who mirrors you – but someone who completes you.
Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow Fashion direction: CK Make-up: Wu YiQing, using Dior Beauty Hair: Alison Tay, using Goldwell Location: Royal Suite at Intercontinental Singapore
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