Why We're Jealous of Zoe Tay & David Gan's 30-Year Friendship

Zoe and David became friends in 1986 on a Go magazine cover shoot in Mauritius. She was an 18-year-old “naïve” newbie model while he was a “loud” established hairstylist, but they got on like a house on Fire (disco). Till this day, they can’t explain what drew them to each other. “I guess it’s like magnets, you know?” is the best Zoe can offer. “The funny thing is, a long long time ago, ’cos we were so close, people thought that the two of us were dating leh,” she smirks.

“I can still remember the shoot and how casual it was. There was no styling. We wore our own clothes. He bought the tee I was wearing on the cover for me from Japan. He also gave one to my husband,” says Zoe. Also, the black Philippe Starck patent leather sofa the duo are sitting on in this pic from 1995 and the one in the previous more current photo is the same one. “I’ve had it for 30 years already leh,” coos David. The couch remains in such pristine condition that we wonder if he had it re-upholstered over the years. “I’ve asked him the same question and he says he hasn’t,” offers an impressed Zoe. “He’s really good at maintaining his furniture,” she adds.

Zoe: “His fighting spirit hasn’t changed. But he has mellowed. He is more mature now. He used to be very subjective but now he is more objective. He’ll take in more ideas. But he’s still ahead of the curve. He may not be as educated as a lot of people but he can think further than them. Sometimes when I go to him with problems, he’ll surprise me with his answers. He can look at things in a way I can’t. What’s even more incredible about him is that he can sleep so little, yet still look the way he does.

David: “She’s humble and I’m not humble at all (laughs). She is someone who doesn’t have an evil bone in her body. I always tell people, if Zoe Tay were calculating and scheming, she would be more than what she is today. She doesn’t like to go out. I love to party every night. She hates to gossip while I love gossip. I’m also very loud and she’s not. Someone once told me that people don’t like me ’cos I’m loud. And I replied: “I’m a hairdresser. If I am not loud you think people will notice me? You think the government will notice me and give me citizenship?” She’s the opposite of that.

Zoe: (Looks at David) Aiyoh, almost 30 years leh. So scary hor (laughs). I think he knew, on the day that I got married, that my life was settled. He was very happy ’cos he knew that that was what I wanted in life. And at that moment, he also knew that he didn’t have to worry about me anymore and so he could take a step back. (Looks at David again) This is true, right?
David: Yeah it is. She settled down and I had to move on. But whenever she needs my help, I’ll always be there.

Zoe: To me, he’s like a parent. And I made him very sad and upset once during the Star Awards. He had wanted me to wear a head piece with a dress but I didn’t want to. I actually said no to him. I knew he was very upset but I didn’t apologise ’cos I felt like I was right. I think he knew that I felt bad but he also understood that I had reached a point where I wanted a bit of control. And he decided not to be so pushy with his ideas anymore. (Turns to David) You remember or not ah?
David: I do… but I don’t think of it negatively. I wanted her to be loud but she didn’t. I realised then that if she did everything I pushed her to do, something is wrong. As people, we’re always growing. I learnt then that if I want to convince someone of my idea and not get rejected again, I have to make sure that it fits them perfectly.
Zoe: I think it was the first time I said no to him. If I remember correctly, he was so upset, he fell sick. Right or not ah?
David: (Smiles)

Zoe: When I first started working with him, he told me that he wanted to retire in a decade. Ten years later, he told me the same thing. I’ve told him that he cannot retire. He has so many ideas to share. He shouldn’t stop. I’m sure he’ll still have a lot of energy 20 years down the road. As for me, I think I’ll start playing golf (laughs). My kids will be grown-ups by then and I hope I can travel the world in peace.
David: I want to open a coffee shop.
Zoe: Like a café?
David: No, a kopitiam. I’ve always wanted to sell kopi in the market.
Zoe: Good, then I can go and look for you (laughs).