Xenia Tan’s September is already off to a great start. Earlier this month, the Singaporean actress flew all the way to one of Italy’s most beautiful cities for the 2024 Venice Film Festival. Tan was there to attend the red carpet premiere of Stranger Eyes, directed by Singaporean filmmaker Yeo Siew Hua.
Stranger Eyes, which Tan stars in alongside Taiwanese actors Lee Kang-Sheng, Wu Chien-Ho and Vera Chen, is the first Singaporean film to compete for the Golden Lion, the top prize at the Venice Film Festival.
For the historic occasion, Tan was dressed to the nines. The Singaporean actress stepped out onto the red carpet in a green Ferragamo coat and knee-high leather boots. “I felt a mix of emotions,” Tan tells GRAZIA Singapore. “I was nervous but really excited; I was running on adrenaline.”
Prior to her big red carpet moment, Tan wore another stunning outfit at the press conference and photocall for Stranger Eyes. This time, the actress wore Tory Burch’s hoop dress—a nice twist to the classic LBD—and a Bvlgari Serpenti necklace. When asked about her secret to staying poised in front of the cameras, Tan shares, “Picking the clothes that I actually love and feel confident in is the biggest factor. There’s something about the Bvlgari Serpenti necklace that gives me confidence in nerve-wracking situations like that.”
Tan made good use of her trip to Venice. Outside of her actress duties at the film festival, she also ventured out into the scenic streets of the sinking city. “The sun was blazing hot but Venice is like a maze, there were a lot of alleys to hide from the sun,” she says. “Without the sun, it was really cool and in the morning, the sea breeze was the best thing.”
Below, Xenia Tan shares with GRAZIA Singapore an exclusive photo diary of her time in Venice.
“The red carpet was grand and the photographers were gathered on both sides of the red carpet. I got a little crash course in the car before we stepped on the red carpet. Everything happened so fast, all I could remember was ‘Face the front’, ‘Face the back’, and ‘Breathe, Xenia, breathe’.”
“Here, I was introducing myself to the audience before the world premiere screening of Stranger Eyes—and my heart was pounding.”
“There was a mix of emotions amongst the actors after we watched Stranger Eyes together for the first time.”
At the photocall: “I couldn’t believe I was at the Venice Film Festival representing a Singaporean film. I couldn’t stop smiling!”
“Venice summer essentials: chic sunglasses, a cute summer dress, and a red lip, of course.”
“What wasn’t captured in this moment: A grandma looking at me from her window, smiling and clapping. We didn’t understand each other, but I got the message: GO SLAY.”
“Venice at 6.30am: magical and serene.”
A must in Venice: “Enjoying pasta every night.”
“Venice is literally surrounded by water, so it’s a must to try their Frutti Di Mare (aka ‘fruit of the sea’).”
“While eating out in the open, beware of seagulls: they are faster than you think.”
“Friendly locals made my day.”
“Touring Venice in a gondola is a pretty romantic activity.”
“My view, everyday. I could get used to this.”
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