Benjamin Byrne (The Smiling Afro)
Benjamin Byrne | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Education | Masters in Film/Cinema/Video Studies |
| Alma mater | Goldsmiths University of London |
Benjamin Gerard Jose Byrne (also known by his online alias “The Smiling Afro”) is a Singapore‑based content creator, actor, host and filmmaker. He is best known for cultivating a personal brand that blends humour, authenticity, and visual storytelling, leveraging his signature afro hairstyle as a distinctive identity marker. As of 2025, he is active on his Instagram, which has over 124k followers and on his TikTok, which has over 293k followers.[1][2]
Background
According to his Facebook, Benjamin’s heritage is a mix of Irish, Dutch, Indonesian and Peranakan and he was born in Singapore.[3] It is listed on his LinkedIn profile that he studied in LASALLE College of the Arts from 2015 to 2016, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts in Film/Cinema/Video Studies. He then went on to study in Goldsmiths University of London, in 2016, graduating with a Masters in Film/Cinema/Video Studies.[4]
Career
Benjamin adopted the moniker “The Smiling Afro” as a nod to his naturally curly hair, which grew into a distinctive afro during his polytechnic years. He recounted that the afro made him stand out, and combined with his inclination for humour and creativity, he decided to turn that uniqueness into a personal brand identity.[5]
After finishing national service and film school, Byrne launched a YouTube channel under the “The Smiling Afro” brand, using his background in filmmaking and advertising to produce short, comedic and often heartwarming videos. As demand for his content grew, clients began commissioning him, transforming his channel into a full-fledged content and creative‑services brand.[5]
Content style
Byrne emphasises relatability in his content: he seeks to tell stories that resonate with everyday experiences, often using humour and lighthearted sketches to communicate messages in a way that is both entertaining and meaningful. In interviews, he has said that whether for brand campaigns or personal content, his process starts with identifying a core message or feeling, then building a short, emotive story around it, even when working within social‑media time constraints (e.g. 15s to 60s formats).[5]
Benjamin Byrne maintains an active online presence under across social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. His public profiles describe him as a “content creator, actor, creative director” and he is open to collaborations.[1] On his Instagram account, he shares a mix of personal content, behind‑the‑scenes footage, and creative videos, often within the comedy or lifestyle genre.[1]
Newsworthy incidents & media coverage
Singlish crash course with Alan Walker
Alan Walker, a Norwegian DJ and electronic‑music artist, came to Singapore to perform for the Singapore Formula One Grand Prix. Before his performance, ROGSG’s social‑media featured a short reel where Walker appears to get a “crash course in Singlish” (Singapore’s colloquial English) by Benjamin, with playful lines like “Confirm plus chop” and “HUAT ah!”.[6] Benjamin later reposted or shared links to this content via his own social‑media account.[1]
Kindness Movement SG collaborations
The Singapore Kindness Movement (SKM) is a long‑standing non‑profit organisation dedicated to encouraging graciousness, civility, and considerate social behaviour in Singaporean society. Founded in 1997 to carry forward the mission of the earlier National Courtesy Campaign, SKM’s mission emphasizes everyday kindness, from consideration in public spaces to neighbourliness and mutual support.[7]
Benjamin is credited as a performer in SKM’s 2025 PSA series. The media‑release document outlining the campaign lists him among the cast for several of the short films covering different facets of “gracious living”: from neighbourly support and shared public spaces to transport etiquette and road safety. His roles vary: in different PSAs he plays characters such as “Angry Neighbour,” a “Baby in Pram,” a “Bird Sidekick,” or other symbolic roles representing everyday Singaporeans navigating communal living circumstances.[8][9]
Openhaus podcast
Benjamin was also featured in the Openhaus podcast where he talks about his childhood and how his persona came to be.[10]
References/Citations
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 “@the.smiling.afro” Instagram. n.d. Accessed 26 November 2025.
- ↑ “@the.smiling.afro” TikTok. n.d.Accessed 23 December 2025.
- ↑ “Benjamin Gerard Jose Byrne” Facebook. n.d. Accessed 26 November 2025.
- ↑ “Benjamin Byrne” LinkedIn. n.d. Accessed 26 November 2025.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 “Meet Benjamin Byrne: That Asian Guy With the Afro Who Built a Brand Around Joy and Authenticity.” SGVisionaries, 6 August, 2025. Accessed 26 November 2025.
- ↑ “@asusrog” Instagram, 27 November, 2025. Accessed 23 December 2025.
- ↑ “Singapore Kindness Movement launches Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to Champion Gracious Living and Mutual Support” Kindness SG, 9 October, 2025. Accessed 23 December 2025.
- ↑ “Media Release Singapore Kindness Movement launches Public Service Announcements (PSAs) to Champion Gracious Living and Mutual Support” Kindness SG, 9 October, 2025. Accessed 23 December 2025.
- ↑ “Singapore Kindness Movement” Facebook, 11 October, 2025. Accessed 23 December 2025.
- ↑ OpenHaus. “Laugh lah! Life is Serious Enough | OpenHaus S6E6 with Benjamin Byrne, Content Creator and Host” Youtube, 2 July, 2025. Accessed 23 December 2025.