An unscripted career
Gladys Bay never set out to become an actress. A professor’s chance remark and a semester in Seoul would eventually help shape a career she never planned for.
Text: Vivien Yap | Photos: Gladys Bay, Coupang Play, Mediacorp
When Gladys took an acting and directing course at NTU, she found herself in front of a camera for the first time. Her performance caught the attention of her professor, Dr Kym Campbell, who told her: “Wow, you're really good at acting.”
That single comment gave her the courage to ask herself: “What if I actually try this?” It would take years before she found the answer. After graduating in 2019, Gladys built a career in hosting and digital marketing.
When the pandemic moved events online, she had to host for both online and offline audiences, and learnt to be comfortable in front of the camera. Eventually, she auditioned for Star Search 2024, bringing with her the composure that came from years of performing on stage and on screen.
At 28, Gladys was the oldest contestant in the competition and went on to finish as runner-up.
“Dreams don’t have an expiry date,” she says. “I may have entered the industry later than others, but I brought a different set of life experiences and mental fortitude with me. That became a strength rather than a disadvantage.”
Her Star Search journey led to more acting opportunities, including her award-winning role as a netball player in the Channel 8 drama Under The Net.
After coming in second place in Star Search 2024, Gladys went on to win Best Rising Star at Star Awards 2025 for her role in the netball themed Channel 8 drama Under The Net.
Winning Best Rising Star at the Star Awards 2025 affirmed that acting could be more than a new chapter. It could become a career in its own right.
This year has been another breakout year for Gladys, who made her K-drama debut in Absolute Value of Romance and is currently shooting her second Korean drama, Collateral Romance.
In South Korea, she embraced the demands of working on set without hesitation.
“Focus on doing your job well,” she says, reflecting on her time on set. “Arrive prepared, be punctual, be respectful, and take responsibility for your craft.”
Gladys as Singaporean exchange student Jenny in Absolute Value of Romance.
Her proficiency in Korean also proved useful. During her semester-long university exchange to Chung-Ang University in Seoul, she enrolled in a Korean language class. While the elective gave her a foundation in the language, it was the cultural immersion that deepened her understanding. She made Korean friends, navigated daily life in Korean, and returned to Singapore with a skill she never imagined would one day open doors in her career.
Gladys (left) with her groupmates in a Broadcast Journalism course, one of many that gave her practical experience in the broadcast industry.
Looking back, Gladys sees her journey as a reminder that you have to believe in yourself.
To those who are keen to pursue their passions, Gladys emphasises the importance of taking the first step. “If there’s something you genuinely care about, give yourself permission to try it. Do it while scared. You don’t have to have everything figured out before taking the first step.”
This article first appeared in issue 8 of U, the NTU alumni magazine.
