Age is nothing but a number
TAIWANESE rocker Wu Bai is not afraid to poke fun at his age.
As he marks 25 years in show business this year, he says his greatest achievement is “not becoming a specimen in the museum”.
“I’m still around. Most of the artistes who debuted during my time are no longer active,” says Wu, 49, who released his first album, Loving Others Is A Happy Thing, in 1992.
The veteran is still very much in demand, often performing with his band China Blue in concerts around the region.
His concert calendar was so packed that he was unable to attend this year’s Golden Melody Awards, where his latest album Ding Zi Hua was nominated for six awards.
He was rocking it out onstage in China when it was announced in June that Ding Zi Hua won Best Taiwanese album. In a phone interview, Wu says: “I was singing when fans in the first row suddenly jumped up and started screaming. It was then that I realised I had won the award.”
The musician is also pretty lucky when it comes to his sideline as an actor. “It’s pretty miraculous. I wanted to play a killer, then I was cast as one. Then I wanted to try out a doctor role and my wish came true,” says Wu.
“Ask me what role I want to play next. Maybe if I say it out loud, it will come true again.”
Wu – who plays an affluent doctor in the action movie MrsK , and u , ,
tima had called me in for a modfter we were done with the said ‘You’re going to start acting That’s how Akulah Balqis came recalls the moment the revered n director, who wrote and prodrama, gave her the chance. s small role at first but as the script r cess was still ongoing, my characa e bigger and bigger.” ho is of Malay and Australian paras completed shooting her first film, ing opposite acting heavyweights afi Su and Remy Ishak. i lso looking forward to her lead role o ror-thriller Blok 404, a reboot of a of the same name, due at the end ear. . f people say, “Nadia, you’re pretty, be a lead actress.” It’s not like that. e a lot of beautiful people out there a special about you? ou become an actress, you have to a formidable killer in director Tsui Hark’s action flick Time And Tide (2000) – says he next wants to play “a highly-skilled skier”.
An avid skier for decades, he makes several trips each year to ski on the snowy mountains of Japan and the United States.
He says proudly: “I’m really good at skiing. I will take on the most advanced trails, the ones marked with a skull warning and that no one dares to attempt.”
Wu, who has been in show business long enough to be recognised by Mandopop fans, has his way of staying low-profile in public.
He says: “I do get recognised. When I sense that people recognise me, I walk away quickly. If anyone approaches me to ask me if I am Wu Bai, I will deny it.” – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
As an actress, you have to know why you are standing in a certain position. Every move you make, there must be a reason. In the same way, in modelling, you have to know why you are posing a certain way. Maybe it’s the best angle to show off your legs.
So, when you keep doing that, you won’t be awkward in front of the camera. Starting out as an actress immediately, of course, it will be awkward. You have to learn to be comfortable in front of the camera, and I learned that through modelling.
I thank God. I think if you work hard and take good care of your family and loved ones, it will all pay off in the end. And you have to continue on. When you get (that success), be serious about what you do.
I will be hosting a fashion programme, Jom Fesyen. I want to do something different. I want to embark on a new learning process; hosting, and fashion is close to my heart.
I want to play a superhero. In Malaysia, you have Cicakman but he’s a male superhero. Why not have a female superhero too?