Paul Nagaoka was raised in the United States by his mom who taught him he could be anything he set his mind to. Believing her wholeheartedly, he began his entrepreneurial pursuits at the age of 12.
After retiring early from his career as a real estate investor, Paul decided work needed to be about passion and followed his into the entertainment and fashion world.
Paul Nagaoka
Paul’s love of people, pursuit of learning, and desire for new experiences make his presence contagious. His charisma and confidence bring a fresh to any environment. He truly is the “life of the party!” And… you haven’t even seen his dance moves!
Based in Singapore, Paul is an actor, host, social influencer (having 24K followers on Instagram) and international model.
He is currently acting on Tanglin on Channel 5. He is in the newest HBO original series, Sent. He plays super villain on a sci-fi series filming later this year. He hosted Singapore Digital Fashion Week 2016. And he is hosting a TV show that will reach 100 million people.
1. What is your dream destination and why?
For me it would have to be Patagonia Argentina or Nepal. I grew up in the pacific northwest in the United States. my past times were, snowboarding, backcountry backpacking, rock climbing, cliff jumping etc… climbing mountains and living out of a backpack and the peaceful silence you get when you are all alone miles from civilization is majestic thing for me.
2. Three things that you could never travel without?
My Bible – My faith is the most important part of my life. Spending time with God in prayer and reading the scriptures helps me stay, full of joy and gives me the right perspective in life.
My Bose travel size speaker system. Music helps me enjoy my environment. And the quality of the speakers make the music come alive to me. So, whether I’m chilling on the beaches of Bali or Scuba diving on a live aboard boat in the Maldives
Money – and lots of it unfortunately. I like to think I’m a cheap date but when I’m on vacation it’s a whole different ball game.
3. Which destination surpassed your expectations and surprised you the most?
Mozambique, Africa. It is one of the most exotic and beautiful places on the earth. It has avoided the destruction that tourism tends to have on a country and a culture. I was living in a tent in an orphanage and what was surprising to me was how joyful these people were. they had nothing, were literally starving to death and possessed a joy that those of us that are more privileged seldom find.
4. Where and what was your most memorable meal you have ever had while travelling?
I was in Cozumel Mexico spearfishing and I paid some local fisherman to take me out on their rickety boat so I could scuba dive and spearfishing off it while they worked. They were catching lobsters, abalone and red snapper. They were a rough looking, dodgy group. On the boat, they were cleaning the lobster and they would remove the reproductive tube. From what they told me they believed that eating it would give you supernatural sexual powers. In between spearfishing and diving sessions we would sit around eating raw lobster, well… reproductive organs.
5. Where are you looking to travel to next?
I’m going as an influencer to Thailand Fashion Week in a couple weeks so I’ll be in Bangkok, and I’m filming in the Maldives in May. Hopefully I’ll get a weekend trip somewhere fun for pleasure. I’m thinking maybe Sri Lanka.
6. What projects are you currently working on?
Well, I’m on Tanglin on Ch.5, I just wrapped an HBO original, I’m the super villain on a Sci-fi series filming later this year, I’m hosting a TV Show that will reach 100 million people and I booked the lead in a movie. But actually, my goal this year centers around developing my YouTube Channel. I enjoy helping people get healthy and fit. On my YouTube Channel (@PaulNagaoka) I’m going to be doing personal training style home workout videos aimed at people just starting their fitness journey. It’s free so come check it out.
7. Do you have any tips or advice for budding actors or actresses?
Make sure it’s something you’re going after for the right reasons. if you are looking to satisfy an emptiness you have inside by the praise of others this industry will eat you up and spit you out. You need a reason bigger than being worshiped to do this well. I believe the best place to find that is through worship. I’ve found it in my relationship with Jesus Christ. Be genuine, humble, kind, when you wrap thank your extras. Care enough to remember your lighting gaffers name. Remember that just because you’re on TV or in films that doesn’t make you any better than your taxi driver that drove you to set today.