While Sue Tan may not be a household name to many, she has carved an illustrious acting career both in Malaysia and Singapore for 20 years now.

Born and raised in Sungai Petani, Kedah, Tan initially read law at a college in Penang but had her heart set on showbiz all the while.

After earning her degree, she left for Kuala Lumpur and took up a job at an artiste management company. She helped manage the careers of TV personality Asha Gill and radio deejay Fly Guy.

“One day, Asha Gill told me I’m going to do a pilot for a sitcom with Susan Lankester. They were looking for a Chinese girl (for the role),” the 44-year-old actress said. While the show never took off, Tan got her foot in the door.

“I was then introduced to Datuk Nancie Foo who was looking for a Chinese actress who could speak Bahasa Malaysia. From then on, I did a lot of Malay dramas as there weren’t many Chinese actresses in their 20s who spoke BM at the time.”

Between 1997 and 2001, Tan acted in over 40 dramas including Athirah and Idaman and the Senario film series. She also began venturing into scriptwriting and penned eight episodes of the hit sitcom, Kopitiam.

In 2001, Tan auditioned for popular Singaporean drama Growing Up. She landed a lead role, marking her foray into Singapore’s entertainment scene.

“I’ve always been based in KL. I just go to Singapore whenever I have projects,” the actress said. She has been shuttling between the two countries for the past 16 years.

Throughout the years, she has landed lead and supporting roles in shows such as the 2007 sitcom 80’s Rewind, 2009 coming-of-age drama Fighting Spiders and 2014 comedy Spouse For House.

Currently, Tan writes and stars in Lion Moms, a drama capturing the parenting styles of Singaporeans.

A number of Tan’s projects see her playing a mother. Asked if she feels stereotyped, the actress said, “I’m fine with playing a mother, it’s just sometimes I wish they were meatier mother roles instead of being the mum who scolds the daughter for not going out with the right person or for not wanting to study. I want something more challenging. As long as it’s meaty, I’m all for playing older roles.”

Tan recently starred KL24: Zombies – a feature film released online in January. She currently stars in Saw Teong Hin’s You Mean The World To Me, and will also be in the upcoming horror miniseries Gantung.

What was it like speaking Hokkien for the first time on camera in You Mean The World To Me?

In my family, we spoke a mixture of Hokkien and English, so my knowledge of Hokkien words may not be as extensive. There were certain words that I actually had to learn.

For example, I had no idea how to say “kitchen”. I always said “au buey” which just means “behind”. It’s actually “cau kha”.

Is it difficult playing a mother on TV when you’re not a mum in real life?

I did my first mum role for Growing Up in 2001. I was 27 years old then and I had to play a 40-year-old mum to a 16-year-old daughter. I don’t remember finding it challenging.

Personally, I’ve always been very maternal, being the eldest of three siblings. And as actors, you always observe the people around you. I remember observing my mum and asking her a few questions.

After my sister had a kid six years ago, I understood mothers even more. I feel that sort of affection and unconditional love to my nephew.

You’re quite active on Instagram (@mssuetan). As an actress, how important is having a strong social media following?

Just a few weeks ago in Singapore, I went for a casting, and in the casting form, I was asked to list out the number of followers I have on Instagram and Facebook.

To be honest, it’s hard. The demographic on Instagram is not the people in my age group; it’s for younger people.

But I wonder does this translate to viewership and ratings? You might have a lot of followers but they may just want to look at the photos; it doesn’t necessarily mean they will want to follow your (acting) career.

Don’t get me wrong, I admire these young people, they are so good at marketing and making money just by posting photos.

At the end of the day, that’s how it is right now, I have to embrace it. This is one of my struggles – to keep up with the times.

What are some of the things you must do every time you’re in Singapore?

I like discovering new places to eat. In fact, because I always post food photos on Instagram, my friends would ask me, “Are you here to shoot or eat?”

I must have chicken rice, prawn mee and Japanese beef teriyaki.

I also watch plays and concerts. I like going to the National Gallery by myself to see exhibits and unwind because when you’re on set you’re surrounded by people all the time.

Calm your hearts, Brangelina shippers.

Hollywood’s favourite exes, Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, are reportedly seeing each other again.

But the reason behind their rumoured meetings is said to be purely domestic.

A source told US tabloid magazine Life & Style that the former couple would prefer to keep their so-called new relationship “under the radar for now” and that the kids are still their priority.

Since their much publicised split in September last year, Pitt and Jolie have been embroiled in a custody battle over their six children.

Jolie, 41, filed for divorce after an argument that allegedly took place between Pitt and son Maddox, 15, while they were onboard a private jet.

In a recent GQ Style interview, Pitt, 53, opened up about their divorce as well as addressed his battle with substance abuse.

He also referred to his split from his ex as “self-inflicted”.

While there isn’t any solid evidence that the famous Brangelina brood are back together as a team, Jolie seems intent on putting family first.

She was seen having dinner in Beverly Hills earlier this week with her formerly estranged father, Jon Voight, along with four of her kids: Pax, 13, Zahara, 12, and 8-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, according to E! Entertainment.

ssandrea@sph.com.sg

China has a long road ahead if it wants to rival Hollywood’s influence, said award-winning movie director Zhang Yimou.

Chinese audiences hotly follow US actors and movies, but Americans “probably” don’t care much about Chinese movies, Zhang told CNBC.

On the outside, maybe they’ve tracked a couple of stars like Bruce Lee, Jackie Chan or Jet Li, he said.

“What we need is Chinese people to produce better films, and this will take some time,” said the well-known director.

China has splashed billions into the entertainment industry to cobble influence abroad – giant firms like Dalian Wanda and Alibaba invested big in Hollywood.

Those moves will theoretically help China to build soft power, especially as the world’s second-largest economy seeks to become a valuable global connector.

“It creates competition, and that can drive Chinese companies to set a higher bar for themselves,” Zhang Yimou said. “Cooperating with foreign teams allows Chinese to learn many new things, and we are now using what we’ve learned to improve.”

But China has yet to reap the rewards, and still doesn’t hold Hollywood’s clout.

Some critics say Chinese government censorship restricts creativity, while others say the industry is still building the necessary know-how.

Censorship has “always been there … It’s the reality of Chinese society,” Zhang said.

“I hope this will change in the future, and that things become more open as the country continues to develop … but right now, it is what it is.”

Zhang has attracted government censors before – his 1994 movie “To Live” was banned in China.

Still, over his long career, he’s scored numerous top awards and notched plenty of major hits, including “Hero” and “Raise the Red Lantern.”

His latest, and first English-language film, “Great Wall,” was largely anticipated to pave the way for the Chinese film industry to blossom internationally.

But critics tore down the movie, calling it trite, and slamming the casting of American actor Matt Damon – instead of a Chinese actor – in the lead.

Identity politics aside, Zhang said it’s true that foreign firms have more advanced skills, techniques and technology, and that adds pressure to Chinese film studios.

But in the long run, he added, more Chinese-Hollywood co-productions can only be a good thing.

“It creates competition, and that can drive Chinese companies to set a higher bar for themselves,” Zhang said. “Cooperating with foreign teams allows Chinese to learn many new things, and we are now using what we’ve learned to improve.”

For Hollywood, China remains crucial – the entire Chinese market was worth $6.6 billion at the box office last year. And for China, it’s an “opportunity to export Chinese culture abroad,” Zhang said.

That’s an increasingly important theme as Beijing continues to pursue its “One Belt, One Road” policy – a giant plan to develop and strengthen links between China and the rest of the world.

With this plan, “we are engaging others … then, we can see what we can do together, and this will be beneficial for everyone,” Zhang said.

Aside from movies, Zhang has also worked on staged productions, including the opening and closing ceremonies at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

This June, his “2047 Apologue,” a theatrical dance and music concept show that explores the interaction of technology and humankind, will debut in Beijing.

Before performing for his fans in Mumbai, India, Justin Bieber showed generosity for youngsters who couldn’t afford to buy tickets for his concert.

In a video posted on an Instagram fan page, the 23-year-old Canadian pop star shook hands with impoverished children inside a bus and said, “You guys good?”

In another clip that surfaced on social media sites, Bieber was sighted humbly playing a game of kickball with locals.

But his charity work did not conclude there-Bieber reportedly handed free VIP tickets to 100 Indian children for his one-night gig on Wednesday, according to the Hindustan Times.

Bieber also set up a lounge and pampered the children with food and beverages.

Since his highly anticipated “Purpose” world tour kicked off in 2016, Bieber conducted gigs in Japan, United Arab Emirates, South Africa and key cities in Europe and the US.

Starting his career with song covers uploaded on YouTube, Bieber shot to fame with the popular tracks “Baby,” “Love Yourself,” “What Do You Mean” and “One Less Lonely Girl.”