MyLuxBook I Summer 2017

my lux book 61
Max Loong
casual glamour
ACTOR, PRESENTER, MEDIA ENTREPENEUR AND HOTELIER – MAX LOONG LOVES THE CHALLENGE OF
COMBINING DIVERSE VENTURES. IN 2016 HE SETTLED DOWN WITH EX-MISS IRAN SEPIDEH HAFTGOLI.
Max Loong has always remained extremely
attached to Switzerland, his
second home, by moderating events
such as «MusicStar» or the «Zurich Film
Festival» as well as maintaining business
and friendship relationships, although he
now lives and works mainly in the USA
and Asia. The smart and good-looking
multitalented figure moves confidently
through the glitter and glamour world
and has never lost his down-to-earth approach.
Max Loong, you feel at home on three
continents. Where is your next journey
taking you?
I’m flying to Singapore, where I have been
working as an actor and moderator for
ten years. Starting in April we will be filming
a new season of the TV series «Lion
Mom» there, for which I received a nomination
for the «Asian Television Award»
as best supporting actor last year. The
greatest honour of my career, although
one of my high-ranking competitors actually
went home with the award.
How would you sum up the rest of
your eventful biography?
I was born in Malaysia to a Swiss mother
and a Malaysian father. When I was
three years old my parents moved
with me to Zurich, where I worked as
a Viva moderator before attending the
Lee Strasberg acting school in Los Angeles
for two years. Today I commute
between these three cities and Bali,
where I opened the «Hidden Hills Villas»
holiday resort two years ago with
my mother.
Which lifestyle suits you best?
Switzerland had a strong impact on me,
because I spent my childhood and teenage
years there. However, my father and
the years in Singapore taught me important
typical Asian values such as family
and respect. I appreciate the openness of
the American people. I try to adapt quickly
to local cultures and customs all over
the world. I prefer eating the respective
local cuisine.
What do you appreciate about hotels
such as the Zurich Park Hyatt?
In Switzerland there are a number of fantastic,
traditional grand hotels, but only a
few modern hotels with international flair
at top level. Park Hyatt ranks as one of
these exceptions. It could also be located
in New York or Hong Kong. I particularly
like the lobby. I often make use of its pleasant
atmosphere for business meetings.
How did you come up with the idea of
establishing a hotel yourself?
The plot of land in an idyllic setting, which
we found five years ago in Bali, inspired
us. My mother, who is in the art world,
is the creative mind behind it. She was
responsible for the interior decoration
and ensured, with great attention to detail,
that no two rooms look the same. My
input was my experience from travelling
and my marketing talent.
Is it true that you have been presenting
a travel show in Asia since autumn?
Yes, it is based on the format «No Agenda»
on NBC Universal that I developed
with my business partner Björn Hering
for our company Mediafisch, which specializes
in branded entertainment.
You presented the «Mercedes-Benz
Fashion Days Zurich» for five years.
Where do you buy your clothes in Zurich?
As an ambassador for Camp David, which
now has a Flagship Store in Niederdorf, I
always have lots of versatile fashion items
from the German label. I like to dress casually
and combine jackets with chinos or
jeans, but also wear suits. My wife, who is
a lifestyle blogger (www.simplysepi.com),
has discovered a few Swiss labels for herself,
including Little Black Dress, which
has its Flagship Store in Josefstrasse.
What have you learned about Iran
from your wife Sepideh Haftgoli?
When I visited her family in Teheran I experienced
a warm-hearted Persian culture.
I don’t believe that I felt any more
welcome in any of the 45 to 50 countries
that I have already visited. Unbelievably
hospitable!
Is there a side of Max Loong, which we
don’t really know?
At 36 and as an expectant father I don’t
go out as much anymore but prefer to
get cosy at home with my wife in our new
house in Los Angeles, to cook something
and drink a good red wine from my collection,
play a round of golf or race gocarts.
As I have petrol in my veins, I can’t
wait in 2017 to take part in my second
season as a Formula 1 reporter for Fox
Sports Asia, the largest sports channel on
the continent.