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The veteran actress is undaunted even though she faces more rejections than acceptances in Hollywood.
Iwas the ripe old age of 54 when the role on the Crazy Rich Asians (CRA) movie came to me. Some say landing a role like that is hitting the jackpot, but it never occurred to me that way... I never thought, “I have to achieve this by this time.”
When I was offered representation in the United States after the success of CRA two years ago, and was asked to spend more time there to open myself to work out of Singapore, my mortgage was paid, my daughter Shi-An all grown up... so I thought, “Why not?”
I jumped into this new adventure with very little expectations, just to see where it would take me. I’m so thankful for some really wonderful work I’ve gotten to do since then and was filming the reboot of Kung Fu for the US network The CW in Vancouver when Covid-19 disrupted production.
Being in Hollywood has been wonderful. It’s a much, much bigger pond, a huge, well-oiled machinery. Being in an environment and industry where everyone is so good at what they do is invigorating rather than intimidating.
I get to meet and work with many people in an industry that has such high stakes and works with such rigour! It’s rather different from what I’m used to in Singapore.
There are still many things I don’t know and even more to learn. When I don’t know something, I’ll ask. I seldom have to audition in Singapore, but in the US, I put myself out there a lot because nobody really knows me or what I can do. I’ve gone for so many auditions and have had many more rejections than acceptances! This keeps my ego in check, helps me think on my feet and makes me feel so alive. Each day is new and energised.
In the last two years, I’ve shuttled a lot between
Los Angeles and Singapore. I still love working in my home country despite the smaller scene because I’m helping to build something here.
My voice is more “potent” here. I get to build deep and long relationships with my fellow artistes and together we’ve been actively building this industry for so long. There is a special love we share. Even if I spend a lot of time away, I’ll always call Singapore my home.
What keeps me going is simple. You know that feeling of falling in love and being uncontrollably compelled to move in the direction of your love? That’s how I feel about acting. After all these years, it’s still a defined and constant love for me. After so many projects, I still get excited to start a new one! But it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. When I first started spending so much time overseas, it was hard to be away from family especially from my mum who’s 84.
I worry about her health. It was hard to find new ways to connect when her language of love is cooking and watching me eat. Thankfully, she has learnt how to video chat on Whatsapp! I want to act into my old age. And I can’t wait for the day I become a grandmother! I’ve a vision of myself as a healthy, 70-something grandma skiing down a slope with my grandkids... and that fills my heart with so much joy!
to a bigger scale in Singapore. It’s a movement that originated from Sweden, focusing on getting people to think before they consume commercial products.
White Monday happens a week before Black Friday, the big discount sales weekend in the fourth week of November, so there’s enough time for people to think hard if they need to buy new items.
During White Monday week, we would work with influencers to reach out to people by sharing stories and images on reusing items, vintage secondhand stores they frequent, or share why they aren’t buying something new.
We want Singaporeans to lose the buy-and-throw mindset and switch to a more sustainable way of life. It’s not as hard as you think: I once traded $500 worth of shopping
vouchers for a rarely-used, 9.7-inch Ipad Pro, which would’ve cost me $2,000 for a new one.
White Monday is supported by 10 ecofriendly companies and 11 influencers. We’re small, but we’re positive that we can make a difference over time. I want to spark more conversation on sustainability, and it also starts with me. I now bring my own set of cutlery and water bottle everywhere I go. My aim is to hit zero use on disposable products on my excel sheet by year end.
We want Singaporeans lose buyand-throw mindset.
TThe failure of my first business venture taught me valuable lessons. I’ve learnt that for a business to succeed, you’ve got to keep your ego in check, and listen when your loved ones tell you it’s time to let go.
My dad told me, “Letting go doesn’t mean it’s gone forever. It’s just gone for now. One day, you’ll be a successful business owner again.” I was defensive at first. My only thoughts were, “I’ve already spent this much on the business! Why should I let it go to waste? I’m sure I can make it work... it’s so embarrassing to fail.”
I’ve always been an overachiever... a school prefect, vice-captain of my sports team, vice-president of the English Literary Drama and Debate Society… the list goes on.
In my 20s, I felt pressured to have it all by the time I hit 30. I wanted a successful career in radio, television, and as an entrepreneur. Crazy huh? And that was how Zoeyanne, my short-lived clothing blogshop business, started in 2012. I ran the business with my ex and when we broke up, I rebuilt it from scratch – distractedly I might add.
The business didn’t last over a year and I lost a five-figure sum, mostly because…
I had no idea what I was doing! I left business operations to the team... would it have worked if I gave it the love and time? Probably not. I love fashion, but I’ve come to realise it’s not the business for me.
I got a loan from my mother to cover my losses. I worked my butt off in every job to pay her back. When I was hanging on to the business, my family and friends told me I was spreading myself too thin doing four jobs at a time – juggling 5am shifts on Fox Sports Asia, my radio show on Hot FM91.3 from 1pm to 4pm, and hosting events. I was tired yet I refused to let go, as it felt like a failure for not achieving my goals.
My mum had a heart-to-heart talk with me. She told me that there’s no in between when it comes to letting go. You either part ways or you don’t... no sort-ofs, maybes or kindas. I’ve learnt that pursuing too many demanding goals at a time is counterproductive.
This year, I started a new business MEvolution, as a speaking coach to empower people to be the best version of themselves, alongside my full-time radio show on Kiss92 FM and hosting ad-hoc events. My view of success is different from a decade ago. Whatever I do now, I do it with all my heart, with focus and purpose… to me, that’s what success is.