It has been more than a month since Rui En’s car hit a stationary motorcycle and she bore the public scrutiny that dogged her at Star Awards Show 1 and 2.
But local actress Rui En said she was not stressed about facing the media for the first time since that episode.
At yesterday’s press conference for Channel 8 drama If Only I Could, the 35-year-old looked calm and prepared.
The New Paper, Lianhe Wanbao
She told The New Paper: “I’m feeling much better and I’ve been taking care of myself after (suffering from gastric) at Star Awards Show 2.
“I’m happier because I’ve realised that there are a lot of people who love me unconditionally and I can’t ask for more than that.”
When contacted, the police said that investigations are still ongoing for her case.
If Only I Could, which premieres on May 31 at 9pm, stars Rui En as a frumpy auntie and a mother of one, married to Andie Chen’s character.
She travels back in time to 2006 in hopes of rewriting her life.
When asked what aspect of her own life she would do over if she was given a chance, Rui En said: “I would probably not have chosen to be an actress. My speech at Star Awards Show 1 was all about that and I think I have explained a lot.”
She was referring to how her straight-talking personality might cause misunderstandings, which is why she is unsure if the entertainment industry is suitable for her.
HELPFUL
Rui En is moving on from the episode by filming the Channel 8 cop drama C.L.I.F. 4 and Li Nanxing, who plays her on-screen husband, has been especially helpful.
Li himself was involved in a drink driving accident in 1997. He was fined $4,000 and given a 30-month driving suspension.
Rui En said: “In general, work is always something that I can immerse myself in and it helps me forget whatever is going on.
“Li knows that I haven’t been in the best of spirits, so whenever we film together, he tries to make me laugh and take me out on group dinners.”
The four-month-old girl she has to play mum to in C.L.I.F. 4 has also made her smile.
At a media session in March, Rui En had told TNP: “Three things I don’t like working with are babies, animals and calefare.”
Now, she takes back every word after falling in love with her young co-star.
“You just need to find the right one to play the role,” she said with a laugh.
In the meantime, Rui En has weightier matters to deal with.
She willingly gained 7kg for If Only I Could, which reportedly wrapped up before Chinese New Year. But she has had difficulty shedding the weight.
So she said it was the last time she would make such a sacrifice for a show. However, her weight gain has made her more aware of fat- and body-shaming.
“I actually felt ashamed initially, even though I knew that it was for the show. But then I realised, ‘Why should I be ashamed?’
“Why should women be judged by their weight, the size of the dress they wear, their age or how much plastic surgery they have done?
“It’s ridiculous,” she said.
tracylow@sph.com.sg
This article was first published on May 18, 2016.
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