Kevin Kwan

Kevin Kwan (born 1973/1974) is a Singapore-born American novelist and writer of satirical novels Crazy Rich Asians, China Rich Girlfriend, and Rich People Problems. His latest book, Sex and Vanity, were released in June 2020. In 2014, Kwan was named one of the "Five Writers to Watch" on the list of Hollywood's Most Powerful Authors published by The Hollywood Reporter. In 2018, Kwan made Time magazine's list of 100 most influential people and was inducted into The Asian Hall of Fame.

Kevin Kwan was born in Singapore as the youngest of three boys into an established Chinese Singaporean family. His great-grandfather, Oh Sian Guan, was a founding director of Singapore's oldest bank, the Oversea-Chinese Banking Corporation. His paternal grandfather, Sir Arthur Kwan Pah Chien M.D., was an ophthalmologist who became Singapore's first Western-trained specialist and was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II for his philanthropic efforts. His maternal grandfather, the Rev. Paul Hang Sing Hon, founded the Hinghwa Methodist Church. 

Kwan is also related to Hong Kong-born American actress Nancy Kwan and former Singaporean finance minister Richard Hu, who was a cousin of his father. While in Singapore, Kwan studied at the Anglo-Chinese School and lived with his paternal grandparents. Kwan's father and mother, an engineer and pianist, respectively, moved the family to the United States when Kwan was 11. The family moved to Clear Lake, Texas, and Kwan attended Clear Lake High School, graduating when he was 16.

He attended the University of Houston-Clear Lake, earning a BA in Media Studies. Afterward, he moved to Manhattan to attend Parsons School of Design to pursue a BFA in Photography. In New York, Kwan worked for Interview Magazine, Martha Stewart Living, and Tibor Kalman's design firm M&Co. In 2000, Kwan established his own creative studio, clients of which included Ted.com, Museum of Modern Art, and The New York Times.

On August 22, 2018, Singapore's Ministry of Defence stated that Kwan was wanted in Singapore for defaulting on their National Service obligation. The Ministry of Defence stated that Kwan failed to register for National Service in 1990 and did not have a valid exit permit to remain overseas, even though he has lived outside of Singapore since he was 11 years old. In 1994, his application and subsequent appeal to renounce his Singapore citizenship without serving in National Service were rejected. Kwan is liable to a fine of up to $10,000 under the Enlistment Act.