Ever heard the saying, “Life is a journey, not a destination?” For 32-year-old actor Gavin Teo, that’s exactly what has defined different facets of his life — from acting to his stints in music, and the beauty he’s found in the outdoors. Teo’s journey as an actor began in 2013 on the talent-scouting reality show Hey Gorgeous. Since then, he’s acted in several shows like Crescendo, Teenage Textbook, All That Glitters, and Unforgivable, even snagging Best Actor at the Star Awards for To Be Loved in 2025. “It felt like recognition of the growth and effort I had put into my craft over the years,” he says.
Jacket, jeans, all Coach; Never Still small cross-body bag, RIMOWA
Throughout his career, though, he kept returning to his “first love”: music. For a few years after 2017, Teo had several stints as a busker because who says that life needs to be linear? Sometimes it’s truly not about where you end up, but about what you do and who you become on the way there. We catch up with Teo and talk about his upcoming projects, See You At 11pm, how he fell in love with travel and car camping, and his journey as a performer — with picks from RIMOWA’s Never Still line in tow.
Hey Gavin! First thing’s first: what does it mean to you to work with RIMOWA for its newest campaign celebrating a life in motion?
It feels meaningful because my life and career have been shaped by different journeys. Every place I visited and every person I met added something to who I am. Travelling gives me the chance to step outside what’s familiar and experience different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life. Those experiences are valuable because they allow us to see things from a different point of view. As an actor, I’ve also gained new perspectives and experiences to draw from. I like that the campaign celebrates not only the places we travel to, but also the memories, connections, and personal growth we bring home with us.
Speaking of journeys, you had a strong musical background and were previously a busker before becoming an actor — when did your interest in acting begin?
Music was my first love. I taught myself to play the guitar and always enjoyed performing, but acting became a serious interest after Hey Gorgeous opened that door for me in 2013. Busking came later and taught me a different kind of confidence. When you perform on the street, people can stop, walk away, or ignore you completely. You learn to connect with an audience quickly and continue performing regardless of the distractions around you. That experience made me more resilient and confident as a performer.
Vest, Craig Green; Jeans, ZEGNA, Never Still backpack, RIMOWA; Shoes, ZEGNA
You’re about to star in the upcoming drama See You At 11pm — what can fans expect?
Audiences can expect a supernatural coming-of-age story with romance, friendship, family, and loss at its heart. Although the drama explores spirits and experiences that cross time and space, the emotional questions it asks are very human: “What do we hold on to? What do we regret? If we had another chance with someone we had lost, what would we say?” There are mysterious and suspenseful moments, but there’s also warmth, humour, and a lot of emotion. I hope viewers come for the fantasy elements and stay because they recognise themselves in the characters and their relationships.
Tell us about your character in See You At 11pm.
I play Yang Zhenghao, an 18-year-old Taiwanese high-school student. He is loyal and protective, especially when it comes to the people he cares about, but he is also carrying unresolved pain within his family. One of his most emotional storylines concerns his relationship with his father and the loss of his mother. He resents his father because of what happened, but underneath that anger is grief and a deep longing for his family to be whole again. Portraying him required me to reconnect with the vulnerability and intensity of being a teenager while also exploring emotions that felt very personal to me.
If you could, is there a pivotal moment in your life that you would return to?
If I could return to a moment, I would choose one with my late mother. I lost her in 2021, and there’ll always be things I wish I had said or moments I wish I had appreciated more deeply. A scene from See You At 11pm gave me an unexpectedly personal experience when my character meets his late mother in a shared dream. It allowed me to draw on emotions I had carried for a long time. Filming that scene, in some sense, gave me a brief opportunity to fulfil my wish to see my mother again.
Tanktop, pants, all Dolce&Gabbana; Never Still large duffle bag, RIMOWA; Shoes, ZEGNA; Socks, Stylist’s own
What are some lessons you’ve learned throughout your journey in entertainment since?
I’ve learned that acting is not simply about remembering lines or producing an emotion on cue. It’s about listening, being present, and responding truthfully to the person opposite you. I also believe that trying new activities, going on adventures, meeting different people, and gaining more life experience have shaped me as a person while giving me greater range as an actor. For example, shortly after I obtained my motorcycle licence, that skill came in handy when my character in See You At 11pm had to ride a motorcycle while filming in Taiwan. Being in a different environment also reminded me that there’s always something new to learn, whether it’s from the people around me, the culture, or simply experiencing everyday life differently.
All these experiences have helped me grow from someone more introverted, shy, and less assured into someone who feels more comfortable taking on athletic, outdoorsy and, extroverted roles. I’ve realised that these life experiences can eventually become something we draw from as actors. The more of life I experience, the more I bring to my characters.
Do you ever see yourself ever returning to busking?
I wouldn’t rule it out. I stopped during the pandemic and eventually decided to focus more on acting, but busking will always have a special place in my heart. Returning for a meaningful occasion, or simply for the joy of performing, could be fun. It would feel like revisiting an important chapter of my life.
T-shirt, Petra Collins; Jeans, Dries Van Noten; Never Still small cross-body bag, RIMOWA; Shoes, ZEGNA
You’re also into bikes and car camping. What first drew you to them?
I got into car camping after buying my first car, which was built for off-roading and camping adventures. I attended a car meet for owners of the same model and joined an existing community of like-minded people from different walks of life. The community often travels in convoy to different campsites across Malaysia, where we set up camp together. Some of my favourite moments are the simple ones — sharing food and drinks under the stars, exchanging life stories, and getting to know one another better. I find it meaningful that a shared interest in the same car can bring together people who might otherwise never have met.
I was first drawn to the bike because of its taller stance, rugged appearance, and adventurous character. Since upgrading to a Class 2A motorcycle licence in Singapore, I’ve switched to a sports bike. For me, it’s all part of the journey of trying different motorcycle styles and discovering the unique experience each one offers.
Shirt, Dries Van Noten; Jeans, ZEGNA; Never Still tote bag, Original Cabin Carry-On luggage, all RIMOWA
What’s your favourite memory on your bike?
My favourite memory was riding to Desaru with a friend and taking our bikes along the beach. There was something incredibly freeing about riding beside the sea with the open landscape around us. Sharing that experience with a friend made it even more memorable.
What’s a dream destination to camp at?
New Zealand would be a dream destination for me. The combination of mountains, lakes, coastlines, and long scenic roads makes it ideal for a road trip and camping adventure. I would love to travel without rushing — waking up surrounded by nature and letting each day’s route unfold as we go
What’s something you always have on you when you’re on the go?
I like to have a camera with me. Whether I’m travelling for work or exploring somewhere new, I enjoy capturing the small, unplanned moments along the way. Photos allow me to revisit different chapters of my life and remember not only the places I’ve been, but also the people and experiences that made each journey meaningful.
T-shirt, Petra Collins; Jeans, Dries Van Noten; Original Cabin Carry-On luggage, RIMOWA; Shoes, ZEGNA
Photography Zantz Han
Styling Izwan Abdullah
Fashion Coordination Manfred Lu
Grooming & Hair Eric Tan | PaletteInc
Location Supper House
Once you are done with this story, click here to catch up with our September 2026 issue.