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Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals

She shares essential tips to surviving romance in the modern world.
Published: February 5, 2025
Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Vest; trousers; loafers, ONITSUKA TIGER. Bra; socks, Carrie’s own.

Carrie Wong breezes into the studio like a breath of fresh air, iced coffee in hand, embodying effortless cool in her signature high-waisted baggy jeans and a perfectly fitted shirt. There’s a soft glow about her, which she tells us is probably from the birthday escape she recently took to wintry Korea with her closest girlfriends. Now back in sun-drenched Singapore, she’s preparing for her next big move: Reading scripts for Fixing Fate, a Chinese TV drama series set to start production this month. The show, dedicated to SG60 and airing later this year, weaves together pivotal moments in Singapore’s history, with Carrie commanding the screen as its ‘30s-era female lead.

It’s certainly an exciting year for the actress who turned 31 this New Year’s Day. In addition to this landmark role, she has also purchased her very own loft apartment. “It’s kind of my dream home. I’ve always wanted high ceilings with a cosy little space upstairs and a balcony. Unfortunately, I won’t get to enjoy domestic life just yet because once the renovations are done, I have to fly off to Kuala Lumpur to start filming.”

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Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Dress; Tiger Fairia heels, ONITSUKA TIGER. Stockings, stylist’s own.

It’s an even bigger bummer because she will be filming on Valentine’s Day. “I can’t fly back and drink champagne!” she cries. “It’s nice to receive flowers or chocolates and go out for a nice dinner. I admire it when two people put in the effort to celebrate a date that means something to both of them. And it doesn’t have to be Valentine’s Day. If you’re with the right person, every day is Valentine’s Day.”To cheer up Miss Lonelyhearts, we’re letting her channel all her vamp, sexy, and hopeless romantic energy that the season of love demands into this cover shoot. Donning the latest from Onitsuka Tiger, Ferragamo, Coach, Prada, Versace, and Max Mara, Carrie morphs into a smouldering vision of fashion romance, making even the most gravity-defying poses look elegant.

She’s game for anything—even stripping down to her undies and just draping a gorgeous red sequinned dress to cover herself. In one shot, she leaves us breathless as she teeters in four-inch heels, making her look much taller than her lithe 1.75m frame. In another picture, she balances on one elbow and one butt cheek while her lanky limbs contort into a near-impossible foetal position, looking shockingly effortless and sexy (it’s a good thing she does Pilates). She yelps in pain after we get the shot. Photographer Joel Low jokes, “You look perfect; I can’t tell you’re suffering.” That’s quintessential Carrie for you: A trooper all the way, who isn’t afraid to pull up her fishnet stockings for the perfect shot—and we love her for it.

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Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Bra top; skirt with belt, PRADA. Sandals, VERSACE.

She hears me muttering in the background, “Carrie Wong: Single and ready to mingle. Looking for a tall, dashing man with strong hands and deft cooking skills.” She yells her pleas to not to make this story one big dating profile. She insists she’s very content being single but isn’t totally giving up on finding her oppa (boyfriend); she’s letting fate take its course. “If you are meant to meet someone, you will meet them. These things shouldn’t be planned or something you have to force yourself to do,” she says. “Love is great, and I do yearn for it, but it’s not my whole life. I have so much going on; love is just one part of it.”

They say you have to kiss a few frogs before finding your prince. For Carrie, her journey to finding love has been a rollercoaster of bad boys and cringey pick-up lines: “I remember one guy at a bar who said to me, ‘Now that I’m here, what are your two other wishes?’”

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Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Dress; Tiger Fairia heels, ONITSUKA TIGER. Stockings, stylist’s own.

She shares a story about a close friend who went through an existential crisis after being single for seven years. “She’s pretty, educated, has a good job, but she couldn’t understand why she couldn’t find a boyfriend. She started dating online, and all the experiences were even more tragic,” Carrie shares.

That reinforced her belief that the swiping culture is just not for her. “I don’t do dating apps; never have. Plus, I’m an INFP (Myers Briggs’ personality score for The Mediator: Introvert, Intuitive, Feeling, Perceptive). I don’t know how to speak to strangers,” she admits. “I’m still a traditionalist; I prefer to make friends face to face. I don’t even check my DMs. If you want a proper response from me, please email me.

When asked about love stories that resonate with her, Carrie surprises us by sharing her affinity for tragic endings. “The one that broke my heart the most is this famous anime, Attack on Titan,” she says. “Eren and his childhood friend Mikasa join the military to destroy the Titans, gigantic humanoids who live off human flesh. At one point, Mikasa is forced to kill him to save the world, but before she can do that, he sacrifices himself first. That’s the greatest act of love I’ve ever seen. It really broke my heart. It’s not even a love story, but I think it’s the most romantic love in the world.

Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Jacket, COACH. Shorts, MAX MARA.

Despite her penchant for heartbreak on screen, Carrie is clear that in real life, she’d prefer a lighter tone. “If love were a Netflix show, I’d want it to be a rom-com or slice-of-life,” she says. “I watch tons of Korean shows, so I refuse to let my life be a never-ending drama!”

When it comes to courtship, her preferences lean toward the subtle rather than grand gestures. “I’m someone who pays more attention to small details. You don’t have to buy me 99 roses, but little things like picking me up, sending me home, or pulling out a chair for me really touch my heart. My love language is definitely ‘acts of service’.”

In an alternate universe where Carrie is a love guru, her number one rule for modern dating is simple: Listen to your parents. “Mummy and daddy know best,” she insists. “Your parents have the wisdom and experience to know who is good enough for you.”

Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Dress, FERRAGAMO. Briefs, stylist’s own.

“In my experience, if my father doesn’t like the guy, then it’s a no for me. As a rebellious teenager, I didn’t take their advice and dated guys they disapproved of, and I got my heart broken many times. So, if your parents say no, chances are the guy isn’t a good catch.”

There are also some red flags that are non-negotiable. Carrie firmly states, “Gaslighting is something you should not accept. It can be very subtle, and people don’t always realise they’re being manipulated. I feel that’s something you should read up on.” Another pet peeve? Passive aggression. “Sarcasm really sends me into a rage; it’s worse than gaslighting.”

She emphasises the importance of healthy communication in any relationship. “A good man will listen and be considerate of a woman’s feelings, and vice versa. Both parties should be open to talking about what makes them feel good or not. Just sit down and work through it calmly without the drama.”

Carrie Wong Gets Candid On Love, Life And Her Career Goals
Dress, FERRAGAMO. Sandals, VERSACE. Stockings, stylist’s own.

This year, rather than make resolutions, Carrie is focusing on appreciating what’s right in front of her, like waking up to the delicious smell of brewed coffee, a hearty breakfast, walking her dog, or going for a short drive. “As I grow older, I have fewer hang-ups and know how to enjoy life a bit more. I’m less angry and impatient. I’m truly feeling very wonderful these days,” she attests. “But if I had to make one goal, it would be to play more interesting roles. Something really different, like someone mentally challenged or a villain, to channel my bad-bitch energy!”

Carrie may not have all the answers when it comes to modern love, but her wisdom, humour, and grounded outlook are a refreshing reminder that sometimes, the best advice is simply to be yourself and let life take its course. For her, love isn’t a checklist or a competition—it’s about the little things, the meaningful moments, and, most importantly, staying true to the things that matter the most.

Photographed by JOEL LOW
Styled by JEFFREY YAN

Make-up Artist and Hairstylist MANISA TAN
Photographer’s Assistant EDDIE TEO
Make-up Artist and Hairstylist’s Assistant JENNY TAN

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