Best places to spot international celebrities in Singapore
You don’t have to go all the way to the Capella in Sentosa to catch a glimpse of one of the most powerful people in the world, and we’re not talking about its previous guests like Donald Trump. Instead, check out our list of places to spot celebrities, where you just might see big names such as Taylor Swift touring our Little Red Dot.
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Where do celebrities stay in Singapore?
Most celebrities visiting stay at Marina Bay Sands for its pool and proximity to all the sightseeing locations. Some, however, choose to stay at hotels in Singapore like Sofitel Singapore Sentosa and the Capella in Sentosa. These hotels are sequestered away from the public, like Taylor Swift at Seletar Airport.
1. Marina Bay Sands
We’ll get the obvious out of the way with Marina Bay Sands, or as Ed Sheeran calls it, “the building that looks like a big boat.” With the way that stars like Hugh Jackman and Chris Hemsworth keep splashing into the waters of MBS’s infinity pool, it’s no wonder if MBS is hailed the next wonder of the world.
Hugh Jackman enjoying infinity pool views.
Image adapted from: @thehughjackman via Instagram
A cheaper alternative to sneaking into the hotel is running into them at the Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands or any of the clubs in the area. Feel lighter than a feather at Ce La Vi with artists like Sabrina Carpenter or buy Jackson Wang a drink at his regular untz-untz joint, Marquee Nightclub.
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2. Kampung Glam
Billie Eilish on Haji Lane.
Image adapted from: @billieeilish on Instagram
Imagine you’re hunting down a concert ‘fit from one of the many thrift stores in Singapore, only to find yourself fighting over the most unique black top with none other than Billie Eilish.
The funky streets of Kampung Glam, home to eclectic eateries and vintage stores, seem to be popping up in the IG stories of posh visitors like the Bad Guy singer. So make sure you’re extra alert when you’re there for a pal’s day out.
Shawn Mendes got inked at Haji Lane.
Image adapted from: @andraytheposeur on Instagram
This neighbourhood will keep you on your toes at every corner. One moment you’re getting your tea pulled by Ed Sheeran at Tarik on Arab Street, and the next you’re watching Shawn Mendes getting stitches – sorry, tattoos – on Haji Lane.
3. Gardens by the Bay
When the mist of the Cloud Forest settles, the orchids won’t be the only rarity your eyes see. Almost every tourist finds themselves gobsmacked at the majestic Gardens by the Bay, and that includes stars like Joe Chen and Ariana Grande.
If you’ve tried to get a photo-op with a celeb here and failed, try again one last time, especially during weekdays and closer to the park’s closing times.
Tony Leung and some grandparents.
Image credit: @jaden.physio via Instagram
One lucky Singaporean saw Shang Chi star, Tony Leung, while at GBTB on a casual outing with his grandmother. See, it’s always good to hang out with your grandparents.
4. Resorts World Sentosa
The Revenge of the Mummy is presumably Choi Min Ho-approved.
Image credit: @choiminho_1209 via Instagram
Don’t worry, the wax statue at Madame Tussauds did not come to life and start strolling along the streets of Sentosa, because that’s the celeb themself in the flesh. The theme park-flooded beach paradise is a place that no star can refuse.
You won’t know what makes your heart beat faster, the Revenge of the Mummy ride or SHINEE’s Choi Min-ho sitting next to you at Universal Studios Singapore, when he visits Singapore alongside the rest of SHINEE for their March concert.
5. Newton Food Centre
If there’s one thing that Crazy Rich Asians got right, it was showcasing Singapore’s hawker culture in that famous scene at Newton Food Centre.
Do you think Gemma Chan and Brie Larson choped their tables with tissue paper packets?
Image adapted from: @brielarson via Instagram
Gemma Chan brought her Captain Marvel co-star, Brie Larson, here to try hawker staples like black pepper crab and satay.
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Maybe the next time you head there you’ll end up in a heated discussion with an artiste like Conan Gray about black versus white carrot cake. For those confused, the right answer is black carrot cake.
Address: 500 Clemenceau Avenue North, Singapore 229495
Opening hours: 24 hours
6. Jumbo Seafood
Not even A-list actresses or K-Pop singers can escape the claws of a good chilli crab. Where else would they get it, but at Jumbo Seafood? This eatery, with its adorable cartoon crabs on the provided disposable bibs, has been rumoured to be a haunt for many stars like Legally Blonde lead Reese Witherspoon.
Reese Witherspoon and SG’s famous chilli crab.
Image credit: Reese Witherspoon via Facebook
The next time someone wants seafood for a birthday or reunion dinner, and your favourite celeb has just landed at Changi Airport, you should definitely wink wink nudge nudge to go Jumbo.
Address: Full list of Jumbo Seafood outlets
7. Kim’s Place Seafood
Some stars book out whole restaurants with their entourage, which makes chances of getting a selfie quite slim, but for others, you gotta eat when you gotta eat.
K-Pop group TWICE live-streamed a lunch they had at Kim’s Place Seafood, and you can see that the place is packed. Some uncles and aunties were caught on camera looking very blur at the band’s reactions to dishes like Hokkien mee.
You could be that uncle and aunty, but instead of making faces at the celeb, you could be making faces with them through a quick IG-filter selfie.
Address: 902 East Coast Park, Singapore 449874
Opening Hours: 11am-11pm, Daily
8. The Seagrill
For the Easties out there, next time you’re walking your dog or jogging around Changi Beach Park, take a water break at The Seagrill and you might run into a K-pop idol – How you like that?
In May 2023, BLACKPINK member Lisa was seen dining al fresco at this restaurant, which goes to show that celebs may pop up anywhere, even in places that are off the beaten track.
Address: 60 Nicoll Drive, Changi Beach Park, Singapore 498991
Opening Hours: 7am-2am, Daily
9. Adam Road Hawker Centre
Image credit: Eatbook
Picture this: you’re queuing for a kopi O kosong and kaya toast at Adam Road Hawker Centre when you see a familiar ang moh fumbling through his order – it turns out to be none other than Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
This particular food centre has seen many political figures, like U.S. President Joe Biden, dine at its humble tables. While your friends chase Harry Styles and Black Pink, you can chat up a world leader with whatever social studies knowledge you remember from secondary school. Maybe they’ll be impressed enough to waive their tourism tax for you.
Address: 2 Adam Road, Singapore 289876
Opening Hours: 7am-2am, Daily
Bonus: Formula 1 Grand Prix
More of an event than a location, the Formula 1 Grand Prix is a mecca for celebrities to drink, party, and catch the race. The multiverses truly collided here with the attendance of Everything Everywhere All At Once stars Michelle Yeoh and Ke Huy Quan, and homegrown superstar JJ Lin.
Everything Everywhere All At Once star Ke Huy Quan is everywhere, even at the Singapore Grand Prix.
Image credit: @aaronkhaled via Instagram
Even if you know nothing about racing, you can take a page out of the Swifties’ Superbowl takeover and go anyway. Hopefully, you end up meeting one of these big shots and maybe rizz your way into their productions.
Where are you most likely to meet a celebrity?
Celebs are just like any other tourist and will likely hit up the main spots like Haji Lane and Chinatown, but it’s also about keeping your eyes peeled as some of them do hide away under layers of security.
You can also watch out for news of press junkets and big events happening, but for everybody’s benefit, make sure to draw a clear boundary between fan and full-blown stalker.
If you want to be extra sure, plan to cross as many things off our mega list of things to do in Singapore this week.
Check out the upcoming events that celebs may be coming down for:
- New & upcoming attractions in Singapore
- Singapore concerts, festivals, tour dates & tickets 2024
- Cruises coming to Singapore in 2024
Cover image adapted from: @choiminho_1209 via Instagram, Reese Witherspoon via Facebook and @billieeilish on Instagram