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I’m A Dude and I Wear Makeup | Martin Tan | TEDxForbesPark


[Music]

[Music] I’m actually not going to talk to you

I’m actually not going to talk to you

I’m actually not going to talk to you about my job the last time I did that I

about my job the last time I did that I

about my job the last time I did that I put everyone to see I want to talk to

put everyone to see I want to talk to

put everyone to see I want to talk to you about just a few stories for my my

you about just a few stories for my my

you about just a few stories for my my pass and how it transformed me as a

pass and how it transformed me as a

pass and how it transformed me as a person there are some special moments in

person there are some special moments in

person there are some special moments in our life they happen once in a lifetime

our life they happen once in a lifetime

our life they happen once in a lifetime like Farina perhaps it was when she

like Farina perhaps it was when she

like Farina perhaps it was when she proved Einstein’s theory right these

proved Einstein’s theory right these

proved Einstein’s theory right these moments are so special like this picture

moments are so special like this picture

moments are so special like this picture right here it’s it’s beautiful does

right here it’s it’s beautiful does

right here it’s it’s beautiful does anyone know what this is

anyone know what this is

anyone know what this is I think Reina does the reason why this

I think Reina does the reason why this

I think Reina does the reason why this is so special is Halley’s Comet it’s

is so special is Halley’s Comet it’s

is so special is Halley’s Comet it’s arguably the most famous comet in the

arguably the most famous comet in the

arguably the most famous comet in the world it’s famous because it passes by

world it’s famous because it passes by

world it’s famous because it passes by the earth every 75 years so for many of

the earth every 75 years so for many of

the earth every 75 years so for many of us we may only get to see it once in our

us we may only get to see it once in our

us we may only get to see it once in our lifetime but if you’re very lucky you

lifetime but if you’re very lucky you

lifetime but if you’re very lucky you could see it twice so we all have this

could see it twice so we all have this

could see it twice so we all have this Halley’s Comet moment a few or many and

Halley’s Comet moment a few or many and

Halley’s Comet moment a few or many and one of these moments for me was my first

one of these moments for me was my first

one of these moments for me was my first kiss now I was 15 when I had my first

kiss now I was 15 when I had my first

kiss now I was 15 when I had my first girlfriend ooh yeah so she’s a bit

girlfriend ooh yeah so she’s a bit

girlfriend ooh yeah so she’s a bit self-conscious so I have a picture here

self-conscious so I have a picture here

self-conscious so I have a picture here of me and my last girlfriend I had

of me and my last girlfriend I had

of me and my last girlfriend I had lighter skin before so when you’re 15

lighter skin before so when you’re 15

lighter skin before so when you’re 15 and you have your first girlfriend you

and you have your first girlfriend you

and you have your first girlfriend you don’t really know how to how to do this

don’t really know how to how to do this

don’t really know how to how to do this but it’s a special moment because you’ll

but it’s a special moment because you’ll

but it’s a special moment because you’ll never have another first kiss so what I

never have another first kiss so what I

never have another first kiss so what I did was I looked online and I looked for

did was I looked online and I looked for

did was I looked online and I looked for tips and there were 15 steps

tips and there were 15 steps

tips and there were 15 steps to having your first kiss and I kept

to having your first kiss and I kept

to having your first kiss and I kept forgetting them I took her to a movie

forgetting them I took her to a movie

forgetting them I took her to a movie this is what everyone does right you

this is what everyone does right you

this is what everyone does right you take them to my movie and then you do

take them to my movie and then you do

take them to my movie and then you do this and then you put your arm around

this and then you put your arm around

this and then you put your arm around her now I was very insecure I was very

her now I was very insecure I was very

her now I was very insecure I was very shy as a kid I was bullied when I was

shy as a kid I was bullied when I was

shy as a kid I was bullied when I was much younger I went to an all-boys

much younger I went to an all-boys

much younger I went to an all-boys school and when I get really really

school and when I get really really

school and when I get really really nervous sometimes I sneeze so the first

nervous sometimes I sneeze so the first

nervous sometimes I sneeze so the first step you can take notes the first step

step you can take notes the first step

step you can take notes the first step in a first kiss is to make eye contact

in a first kiss is to make eye contact

in a first kiss is to make eye contact and then you have the aim for the mouth

and then you have the aim for the mouth

and then you have the aim for the mouth but it’s dark in the movie house so you

but it’s dark in the movie house so you

but it’s dark in the movie house so you can imagine I’m trying to make eye

can imagine I’m trying to make eye

can imagine I’m trying to make eye contact and aim for the mouth it’s not

contact and aim for the mouth it’s not

contact and aim for the mouth it’s not possible and so I start getting really

possible and so I start getting really

possible and so I start getting really nervous because I’m thinking about all

nervous because I’m thinking about all

nervous because I’m thinking about all these steps and I’m thinking she might

these steps and I’m thinking she might

these steps and I’m thinking she might reject me and if she does she’ll tell

reject me and if she does she’ll tell

reject me and if she does she’ll tell all my friends and they’ll think I’m a

all my friends and they’ll think I’m a

all my friends and they’ll think I’m a loser and so I’m really nervous and as I

loser and so I’m really nervous and as I

loser and so I’m really nervous and as I go in for the kiss I sneeze and so my

go in for the kiss I sneeze and so my

go in for the kiss I sneeze and so my head jerks forward and she ends up with

head jerks forward and she ends up with

head jerks forward and she ends up with a bloody nose and so this Haleigh’s

a bloody nose and so this Haleigh’s

a bloody nose and so this Haleigh’s moment for me I ruined it because I was

moment for me I ruined it because I was

moment for me I ruined it because I was so insecure I was so afraid about what

so insecure I was so afraid about what

so insecure I was so afraid about what she would do the wrong things that could

she would do the wrong things that could

she would do the wrong things that could happen and what my friends would think

happen and what my friends would think

happen and what my friends would think if I didn’t get the job done if I didn’t

if I didn’t get the job done if I didn’t

if I didn’t get the job done if I didn’t make it perfect or if I even was able to

make it perfect or if I even was able to

make it perfect or if I even was able to do it at all now I wasn’t always a wimp

do it at all now I wasn’t always a wimp

do it at all now I wasn’t always a wimp in fact my mom gave me these home videos

in fact my mom gave me these home videos

in fact my mom gave me these home videos that she took of me when I was 2 and I

that she took of me when I was 2 and I

that she took of me when I was 2 and I learned a few valuable things number one

learned a few valuable things number one

learned a few valuable things number one I didn’t actually have my first kiss at

I didn’t actually have my first kiss at

I didn’t actually have my first kiss at 15 and secondly I was actually pretty

15 and secondly I was actually pretty

15 and secondly I was actually pretty brave analogy and it actually showed me

brave analogy and it actually showed me

brave analogy and it actually showed me that when we’re born I think most of us

that when we’re born I think most of us

that when we’re born I think most of us are born fearless so I have some clips

are born fearless so I have some clips

are born fearless so I have some clips here I’m not good at putting videos on

here I’m not good at putting videos on

here I’m not good at putting videos on powerpoints so they’re just actually

powerpoints so they’re just actually

powerpoints so they’re just actually screenshots oh so this is me

screenshots oh so this is me

screenshots oh so this is me with Jollibee amatus birthday party I’m

with Jollibee amatus birthday party I’m

with Jollibee amatus birthday party I’m with my mom and there’s a little girl

with my mom and there’s a little girl

with my mom and there’s a little girl she’s introducing the little girl to be

she’s introducing the little girl to be

she’s introducing the little girl to be and I thought you know I was fearless at

and I thought you know I was fearless at

and I thought you know I was fearless at the time so I thought I’m gonna try

the time so I thought I’m gonna try

the time so I thought I’m gonna try something for the first time and so I

something for the first time and so I

something for the first time and so I contact aim for the lips smack boom so

contact aim for the lips smack boom so

contact aim for the lips smack boom so here I was born with this sense of

here I was born with this sense of

here I was born with this sense of wonder I didn’t care about whether or

wonder I didn’t care about whether or

wonder I didn’t care about whether or not I’d make a mistake I didn’t care

not I’d make a mistake I didn’t care

not I’d make a mistake I didn’t care about what other people would think I

about what other people would think I

about what other people would think I just wanted to try new things I just

just wanted to try new things I just

just wanted to try new things I just wanted the explore and do things for the

wanted the explore and do things for the

wanted the explore and do things for the first time when you’re born and when

first time when you’re born and when

first time when you’re born and when you’re young and your format the viewers

you’re young and your format the viewers

you’re young and your format the viewers you’re just passionate about life and so

you’re just passionate about life and so

you’re just passionate about life and so after watching this video I asked myself

after watching this video I asked myself

after watching this video I asked myself like what happened to you you’re such a

like what happened to you you’re such a

like what happened to you you’re such a loser now and so I was thinking you know

loser now and so I was thinking you know

loser now and so I was thinking you know when I was 8 I went to this or all-boys

when I was 8 I went to this or all-boys

when I was 8 I went to this or all-boys school but I didn’t have any brothers

school but I didn’t have any brothers

school but I didn’t have any brothers and sisters growing up I lived with my

and sisters growing up I lived with my

and sisters growing up I lived with my grandparents and every weekend my

grandparents and every weekend my

grandparents and every weekend my cousins would come over so oh I actually

cousins would come over so oh I actually

cousins would come over so oh I actually snuck in a few more kisses so this is me

snuck in a few more kisses so this is me

snuck in a few more kisses so this is me and my cousin I was a youngest one but I

and my cousin I was a youngest one but I

and my cousin I was a youngest one but I wasn’t just a youngest one I was also

wasn’t just a youngest one I was also

wasn’t just a youngest one I was also the only boy so imagine when you’re five

the only boy so imagine when you’re five

the only boy so imagine when you’re five and you’re the only boy you don’t really

and you’re the only boy you don’t really

and you’re the only boy you don’t really have a say in what games you played or

have a say in what games you played or

have a say in what games you played or what was cool and one of the times that

what was cool and one of the times that

what was cool and one of the times that I didn’t really like back when I was

I didn’t really like back when I was

I didn’t really like back when I was younger was the the Spice Girls crazy

younger was the the Spice Girls crazy

younger was the the Spice Girls crazy because whenever we would play pretend

because whenever we would play pretend

because whenever we would play pretend they wanted to pretend that we were in a

they wanted to pretend that we were in a

they wanted to pretend that we were in a Spice Girls concert and imagine it was

Spice Girls concert and imagine it was

Spice Girls concert and imagine it was perfect because there are five Spice

perfect because there are five Spice

perfect because there are five Spice Girls and I had four older cousins

Girls and I had four older cousins

Girls and I had four older cousins and so here the Spice Girls and four

and so here the Spice Girls and four

and so here the Spice Girls and four older cousins and so they needed one

older cousins and so they needed one

older cousins and so they needed one more band member to complete the concert

more band member to complete the concert

more band member to complete the concert and so I’m sure you can guess that who I

and so I’m sure you can guess that who I

and so I’m sure you can guess that who I played since I was the youngest right

played since I was the youngest right

played since I was the youngest right yeah that’s me and so you know playing

yeah that’s me and so you know playing

yeah that’s me and so you know playing pretend wasn’t really my favorite thing

pretend wasn’t really my favorite thing

pretend wasn’t really my favorite thing to do as as a kid but I actually really

to do as as a kid but I actually really

to do as as a kid but I actually really really liked their music so when you’re

really liked their music so when you’re

really liked their music so when you’re young it was actually very cool if you

young it was actually very cool if you

young it was actually very cool if you had the Walkman and you were into music

had the Walkman and you were into music

had the Walkman and you were into music so I bring my Walkman to school but

so I bring my Walkman to school but

so I bring my Walkman to school but because I went to an all-boys school it

because I went to an all-boys school it

because I went to an all-boys school it wasn’t cool to listen to Spice Girls in

wasn’t cool to listen to Spice Girls in

wasn’t cool to listen to Spice Girls in fact you’d get ostracized from the group

fact you’d get ostracized from the group

fact you’d get ostracized from the group if they found out you did so I thought I

if they found out you did so I thought I

if they found out you did so I thought I was clever and I was sneaky what I did

was clever and I was sneaky what I did

was clever and I was sneaky what I did was I bought the Backstreet Boys

was I bought the Backstreet Boys

was I bought the Backstreet Boys cassette tape I took out the the tape

cassette tape I took out the the tape

cassette tape I took out the the tape and I put the Spice Girls tape inside

and I put the Spice Girls tape inside

and I put the Spice Girls tape inside and so I’d be walking around school and

and so I’d be walking around school and

and so I’d be walking around school and they’d ask me hey what are you listening

they’d ask me hey what are you listening

they’d ask me hey what are you listening to I don’t even have to say anything

to I don’t even have to say anything

to I don’t even have to say anything they got it and we had it was my

they got it and we had it was my

they got it and we had it was my teachers birthday and we were having a

teachers birthday and we were having a

teachers birthday and we were having a party in the classroom and so I went to

party in the classroom and so I went to

party in the classroom and so I went to the restroom and they needed music to

the restroom and they needed music to

the restroom and they needed music to play and so they’re looking through my

play and so they’re looking through my

play and so they’re looking through my bag and they’re like oh Martin listen to

bag and they’re like oh Martin listen to

bag and they’re like oh Martin listen to the Backstreet Boys let’s get his tape

the Backstreet Boys let’s get his tape

the Backstreet Boys let’s get his tape so they get my tape they put it in the

so they get my tape they put it in the

so they get my tape they put it in the stereo and I get back in they press play

stereo and I get back in they press play

stereo and I get back in they press play and it’s Spice Girls thing and everyone

and it’s Spice Girls thing and everyone

and it’s Spice Girls thing and everyone starts laughing and you know for the

starts laughing and you know for the

starts laughing and you know for the rest of the year my nickname was spice

rest of the year my nickname was spice

rest of the year my nickname was spice boy or a girl e boy and the kids didn’t

boy or a girl e boy and the kids didn’t

boy or a girl e boy and the kids didn’t want to sit with me at lunch anymore I

want to sit with me at lunch anymore I

want to sit with me at lunch anymore I wasn’t invited to come over to play on

wasn’t invited to come over to play on

wasn’t invited to come over to play on the weekend

the weekend

the weekend because nobody wanted to hang out with

because nobody wanted to hang out with

because nobody wanted to hang out with this kid who like who enjoyed the Spice

this kid who like who enjoyed the Spice

this kid who like who enjoyed the Spice Girls right and so I became very

Girls right and so I became very

Girls right and so I became very insecure growing up and I I started the

insecure growing up and I I started the

insecure growing up and I I started the try to do things to make myself look paw

try to do things to make myself look paw

try to do things to make myself look paw and manly and I remember I even went on

and manly and I remember I even went on

and manly and I remember I even went on this camping trip once and I wanted to

this camping trip once and I wanted to

this camping trip once and I wanted to show everyone that I was rugged and that

show everyone that I was rugged and that

show everyone that I was rugged and that I was one with nature

I was one with nature

I was one with nature so I only brought one pair of boxers and

so I only brought one pair of boxers and

so I only brought one pair of boxers and there’s a waterfall where we were going

there’s a waterfall where we were going

there’s a waterfall where we were going camping and we all went swimming in the

camping and we all went swimming in the

camping and we all went swimming in the lake and I forgot I said my boxers on so

lake and I forgot I said my boxers on so

lake and I forgot I said my boxers on so I ended up having to dry them over the

I ended up having to dry them over the

I ended up having to dry them over the fire now I thought it was a genius at

fire now I thought it was a genius at

fire now I thought it was a genius at the time because fires hot and the Sun

the time because fires hot and the Sun

the time because fires hot and the Sun is hot and people dry their clothes

is hot and people dry their clothes

is hot and people dry their clothes under the Sun so I was like that makes

under the Sun so I was like that makes

under the Sun so I was like that makes sense but not really because you know I

sense but not really because you know I

sense but not really because you know I ended up with no boxers coming home they

ended up with no boxers coming home they

ended up with no boxers coming home they got toasted and they’re not exactly good

got toasted and they’re not exactly good

got toasted and they’re not exactly good like marshmallows under fire another

like marshmallows under fire another

like marshmallows under fire another thing that I that I tried to do was uh I

thing that I that I tried to do was uh I

thing that I that I tried to do was uh I started going to the gym trying to get

started going to the gym trying to get

started going to the gym trying to get buff and I started watching a WWE you

buff and I started watching a WWE you

buff and I started watching a WWE you know the fake wrestling and my favorite

know the fake wrestling and my favorite

know the fake wrestling and my favorite wrestler was Triple H he had this long

wrestler was Triple H he had this long

wrestler was Triple H he had this long hair and he was the bad guy so that’s

hair and he was the bad guy so that’s

hair and he was the bad guy so that’s what I did that’s the game Triple H and

what I did that’s the game Triple H and

what I did that’s the game Triple H and that’s me after working out very similar

that’s me after working out very similar

that’s me after working out very similar physique so I had this long hair and I

physique so I had this long hair and I

physique so I had this long hair and I was taking this this protein shake and

was taking this this protein shake and

was taking this this protein shake and what it does actually is um you you mix

what it does actually is um you you mix

what it does actually is um you you mix it with water you drink it and some

it with water you drink it and some

it with water you drink it and some chemical reaction happens inside of you

chemical reaction happens inside of you

chemical reaction happens inside of you and the next day you wake up buffer

and the next day you wake up buffer

and the next day you wake up buffer that’s not really what happens actually

that’s not really what happens actually

that’s not really what happens actually you just get some acne if you’re unlucky

you just get some acne if you’re unlucky

you just get some acne if you’re unlucky and that’s what happened to me

and so I wasn’t really a boy next door

and so I wasn’t really a boy next door in my first second year in college so I

in my first second year in college so I

in my first second year in college so I was like really shy to approach girls I

was like really shy to approach girls I

was like really shy to approach girls I didn’t really go to the parties and I

didn’t really go to the parties and I

didn’t really go to the parties and I kept my hair long so people wouldn’t see

kept my hair long so people wouldn’t see

kept my hair long so people wouldn’t see my faith like beasts and Beauty and the

my faith like beasts and Beauty and the

my faith like beasts and Beauty and the Beast but then something happened in in

Beast but then something happened in in

Beast but then something happened in in my third year of college I had my first

my third year of college I had my first

my third year of college I had my first job interview and so I’d cut my hair

job interview and so I’d cut my hair

job interview and so I’d cut my hair because you couldn’t have long hair in

because you couldn’t have long hair in

because you couldn’t have long hair in the office and I was ready I had my suit

the office and I was ready I had my suit

the office and I was ready I had my suit on and I was about to leave for the the

on and I was about to leave for the the

on and I was about to leave for the the interview and my dad says do you feel

interview and my dad says do you feel

interview and my dad says do you feel ready like yeah I prepared my hair I

ready like yeah I prepared my hair I

ready like yeah I prepared my hair I said I think I’m ready I feel pretty

said I think I’m ready I feel pretty

said I think I’m ready I feel pretty confident said good but you don’t look

confident said good but you don’t look

confident said good but you don’t look confident and then from his pocket he

confident and then from his pocket he

confident and then from his pocket he takes out this concealer and he hands it

takes out this concealer and he hands it

takes out this concealer and he hands it to me and like dude are you serious I

to me and like dude are you serious I

to me and like dude are you serious I would never wear makeup and he’s like

would never wear makeup and he’s like

would never wear makeup and he’s like just just try it put it on so I go to

just just try it put it on so I go to

just just try it put it on so I go to the restroom and I brush my hair back

the restroom and I brush my hair back

the restroom and I brush my hair back and I put it on I actually have someone

and I put it on I actually have someone

and I put it on I actually have someone now and I put it on I was like oh wow

now and I put it on I was like oh wow

now and I put it on I was like oh wow dude Ryan Gosling how do you get in my

dude Ryan Gosling how do you get in my

dude Ryan Gosling how do you get in my room so I actually started using it

room so I actually started using it

room so I actually started using it every day and I’ve been using it for six

every day and I’ve been using it for six

every day and I’ve been using it for six years six years imagine and none of my

years six years imagine and none of my

years six years imagine and none of my friends know I’ve never told anyone

friends know I’ve never told anyone

friends know I’ve never told anyone because it’s like that spice trough a

because it’s like that spice trough a

because it’s like that spice trough a that’s girly and I was so traumatized by

that’s girly and I was so traumatized by

that’s girly and I was so traumatized by that experience that I never wanted to

that experience that I never wanted to

that experience that I never wanted to go through it again but something

go through it again but something

go through it again but something extremely special happened last year in

extremely special happened last year in

extremely special happened last year in November I was flying the Singapore I

November I was flying the Singapore I

November I was flying the Singapore I used to work there and I have a lot of

used to work there and I have a lot of

used to work there and I have a lot of friends there that’s to live there and

friends there that’s to live there and

friends there that’s to live there and there is this kid next to me I think it

there is this kid next to me I think it

there is this kid next to me I think it was eight or nine and I really loved

was eight or nine and I really loved

was eight or nine and I really loved those old iPods no one

those old iPods no one

those old iPods no one with with the wheels you could drop them

with with the wheels you could drop them

with with the wheels you could drop them from ten feet and they wouldn’t break in

from ten feet and they wouldn’t break in

from ten feet and they wouldn’t break in fact the earth would shatter if you

fact the earth would shatter if you

fact the earth would shatter if you dropped it it’s amazing so he had that

dropped it it’s amazing so he had that

dropped it it’s amazing so he had that iPod with the wheel and I thought it was

iPod with the wheel and I thought it was

iPod with the wheel and I thought it was school so I tapped him and I was like

school so I tapped him and I was like

school so I tapped him and I was like hey where do you where do you get that

hey where do you where do you get that

hey where do you where do you get that he said oh my older brother gave it to

he said oh my older brother gave it to

he said oh my older brother gave it to me it’s like okay nice uh what are you

me it’s like okay nice uh what are you

me it’s like okay nice uh what are you listening to

listening to

listening to and then he presses the the button right

and then he presses the the button right

and then he presses the the button right so then it lights up and use listening

so then it lights up and use listening

so then it lights up and use listening the Spice Girls wow the story comes full

the Spice Girls wow the story comes full

the Spice Girls wow the story comes full circle right it’s like wow your older

circle right it’s like wow your older

circle right it’s like wow your older brother listens to the Spice Girls it’s

brother listens to the Spice Girls it’s

brother listens to the Spice Girls it’s like yeah and I said do you like it says

like yeah and I said do you like it says

like yeah and I said do you like it says yeah I really do I really like it and

yeah I really do I really like it and

yeah I really do I really like it and then I looked at him a sec yeah me too

[Music]

[Music] but this moment it seems so small and

but this moment it seems so small and

but this moment it seems so small and insignificant this fleeting moment like

insignificant this fleeting moment like

insignificant this fleeting moment like ephemeral whatever but what was so

ephemeral whatever but what was so

ephemeral whatever but what was so special about it was I grew up so afraid

special about it was I grew up so afraid

special about it was I grew up so afraid hiding things that I was I was afraid

hiding things that I was I was afraid

hiding things that I was I was afraid that my friends would make fun of me

that my friends would make fun of me

that my friends would make fun of me because I was using concealer I was

because I was using concealer I was

because I was using concealer I was afraid to show them that I like Taylor

afraid to show them that I like Taylor

afraid to show them that I like Taylor Swift or Spice Girls even Nickelback

Swift or Spice Girls even Nickelback

Swift or Spice Girls even Nickelback because apparently it’s not cool

but there was this kid you know who is

but there was this kid you know who is braver than me who just said yeah I like

braver than me who just said yeah I like

braver than me who just said yeah I like Spice Girls there’s nothing wrong with

Spice Girls there’s nothing wrong with

Spice Girls there’s nothing wrong with it and for my friends back when I was

it and for my friends back when I was

it and for my friends back when I was five they thought I was weird right they

five they thought I was weird right they

five they thought I was weird right they thought I was an outcast because I liked

thought I was an outcast because I liked

thought I was an outcast because I liked something that boys shouldn’t like it

something that boys shouldn’t like it

something that boys shouldn’t like it was unmanly but what I’ve realized on

was unmanly but what I’ve realized on

was unmanly but what I’ve realized on that plane was that there people out

that plane was that there people out

that plane was that there people out there who are just like you and it’s

there who are just like you and it’s

there who are just like you and it’s very important to show them that there

very important to show them that there

very important to show them that there are other people out there just like

are other people out there just like

are other people out there just like them because it made such a huge impact

them because it made such a huge impact

them because it made such a huge impact for me it made be willing to come on

for me it made be willing to come on

for me it made be willing to come on stage and share with everyone that I’m a

stage and share with everyone that I’m a

stage and share with everyone that I’m a dude and I wear makeup thank you

”

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