Rant and rave: Loretta Chen
SINGAPORE — Writing her tell-all autobiography, Woman On Top, wasn’t an easy thing for Loretta Chen. “I did have to wrestle with my demons, but I’m glad it’s out there now,” said the 37-year-old theatre director, who also currently presents The Art Of Lush on MediaCorp Radio’s Lush 99.5FM and is in charge of business development of VMSD under The Activation Group, a creative agency and production house.
SINGAPORE — Writing her tell-all autobiography, Woman On Top, wasn’t an easy thing for Loretta Chen. “I did have to wrestle with my demons, but I’m glad it’s out there now,” said the 37-year-old theatre director, who also currently presents The Art Of Lush on MediaCorp Radio’s Lush 99.5FM and is in charge of business development of VMSD under The Activation Group, a creative agency and production house.
From revelations about her sexuality to life growing up with a famous older sibling (actor-writer Edmund Chen) to controversial moments in theatre (directing the porn star Annabel Chong bio-drama 251 and the S$1 million debt drama of her former company Zebra Crossing), there’s a lot going on in her first book, which she said she wrote “for my 24-year-old self”.
The most difficult chapter to write had been that on her partner’s suicide. “It was as if I had to relive it again and go through the trauma,” she shared. “There was no pain but I did feel an overwhelming sense of wanting to cry each time I sat down to write that chapter. It is a strange, out of body experience.”
It may all sound depressing, but Chen hopes the book can connect with its reader in a positive way. “I want this little book to inspire that someone who may need it on the one day they need it most.”
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RANTS
HYPOCRITES (AND ASTROTURFERS). It’s one thing if they are completely clueless, as they are most times insecure and do all it takes to protect their own position, but it is serious s*** if they’re also scheming SOBs. “Astroturfers” are “fake grassroots” people who speak very loudly on things that they may not know very much about. But they are highly efficient and tend to be lean, mean, organised machines.
RUDE-STERS. People who run into you, step on your toes, race you to the door and have it slam on your face … and then have the audacity to glare and “tsk” back at you! I miss good manners.
OTT FAKE EYELASHES. They are long, luscious and say “looooooook at me”. Okay, maybe I’m just jealous. I can’t have them as my eyes are way too sensitive and can’t take the adhesive. I do think they are very pretty and they do make your eyes stand out. But since I can’t have them and every girl — and every other boy I know — can…
RAVES
MAXWELL MARKET. This is my best kept secret. I head down to this Singaporean institution almost every other night to get supper for my mom (and me!) after gym. The raw fish, century egg and minced meat porridge is the bomb. I also recommend the fresh cuttlefish balls, Japanese ramen and the fresh fruit juice stall — Uncle makes everything from a simple pineapple cooler to a chocolate avocado papaya durian milkshake! Okay, I just made that last one up, but I am certain Uncle can do it!
GENEROUS PEOPLE. Who says we have a dearth of kindness? I am blessed to be surrounded by amazing family, friends, colleagues and supporters. So many people turned up at my book launch and book readings and others who’ve sent words of encouragement and even anonymous letters. It really means a lot to me as I was expecting a huge backlash!
ISLAND HOPPING. It’s an open secret that I suffer from serious wanderlust. As much as it is humanly possible, I am always sneaking away on my own to some idyllic resort, beach paradise, chic cityscape or better yet, some exotic, faraway land. But if time is a constraint, then my next best bet is an escape to Sentosa Cove. It is away from the maddening crowd, boasts of some of the best walking trails and glorious sunsets. My other recent discovery is the bliss of hopping on a 40-minute ferry to Montigo, Nongsa where I’ll indulge in hot herbal compress massages, nasi padang and emping belinjau! Sedap! MAYO MARTIN