This year’s National Day Parade song, just like it is every other year, is sung by a Singaporean, as clarified by the singer himself.
After singer Nathan Hartono was slammed over his ancestry upon the release of the music video for his NDP theme song, the 28-year-old clarified to the haters that he is Singaporean, completed his National Service and was born in Singapore to Indonesian immigrants.
Nathan Hartono lends soothing vocals to Singapore’s COVID-National Day song
“I’m proud to be a first generation Singaporean. I was born as a Permanent Resident, and raised here by parents who immigrated to this country. After serving 2 years of National Service, I was finally able to get a Singaporean citizenship,” he wrote in an online post on Saturday.
He spoke out after complaints arose that he was a “foreigner,” and that it was therefore unacceptable for him to sing the annual patriotic anthem.
“I’ve never known any other place as home. And I am thankful for everything this land has given me,” he added.
Writing online, Hartono also said the highlight of singing the song was reading the negative comments on Facebook, which has helped him stay humble.
“Many people have been asking me… what’s the best part of singing the NDP theme song? Well, anytime I need to keep my ego in check, all I have to do is…READ FACEBOOK COMMENTS,” he wrote.
Hartono found fame as a reality television contestant after he was the runner-up on the popular Chinese singing competition Sing! China.
The uplifting National Day song Everything I Am is the official theme song for this year’s independence day celebration, which will be streamed live with back-to-back events throughout the day.
National Day goodie bags, filled with flags and torch filters, will be available for collection from community centres and residents’ committee centres starting today.
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