Htoo Ank Wai (Crying NDP guy)
Htoo Ank Wai | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nationality | Singaporean Permanent Resident (PR) |
| Education | Institute of Technical Education (ITE) - Hospitality Operations |
Htoo Ank Wai (born 2008) is a Singapore permanent resident and student performer who gained national attention during the National Day Parade (NDP) 2025 when he was moved to tears while singing the national anthem. His emotional moment went viral online, drawing widespread praise for its authenticity and resonance with national pride.[1]
Early life and education
Htoo Ank Wai was born in Singapore to parents of Myanmar heritage and is a Singapore Permanent Resident. As of 2025, he is a Year 1 Higher Nitec student at ITE College West.[1] He also works part-time as a shift manager at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf.[1]
At the age of just 3, Ank Wai started to learn how to dance, teaching himself belly dance by watching Shakira videos. He continued to participate in performing arts CCA through primary, secondary school and currently, in ITE.[2]
He was born with Thalassemia, a health condition where the body does not create enough red blood cells, causing dizziness. To counter this, he takes small breaks or snacks on candies during rehearsals.[1]
Viral Moment
For 7 months before the parade, Ank Wai balanced school, part-time work as a shift manager at Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf and intense practice schedules. This meant sleep was often compromised, but Ank Wai says that he’s learned to manage his time and take better care of himself.[1]
During the National Day Parade in 2025, he performed in a pre-parade segment, dancing to the rock-and-roll rendition of “The Road Ahead” as well as the finale. When it was time to sing the National Anthem, Ank Wai was captured crying on the large screen, a moment that sparked a wave of sensation. Within just 10 minutes after the parade ended, his friend alerted him that his emotional moment went viral.[2]
When interviewed, Ank Wai revealed that he was emotional during the moment as he thought of his late grandmothers in Myanmar who would often ask him if he was coping with life in Singapore and would tell him to go back to Myanmar if it’s too stressful. He mentions that in his emotional moment, he wanted to show them that he was doing well and happy in Singapore.[1]
References/Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Jacob, Charmaine. “NDP 2025 performer moved to tears says he felt sense of belonging despite not being Singaporean.” Channel News Asia, 10 August 2025. Accessed 26 August 2025.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Zin Htet, Khine. “2025 NDP crying guy' is 17-year-old dancer who cried from a mix of relief, happiness & pride.” Mothership, 15 August, 2025. Accessed 22 August 2025.