Magic Babe Ning: No more magic

SINGAPORE — She astounded audiences with her daring escape stunts as one-half of the magician duo JC Sum and Magic Babe Ning. But last month, after a decade of being one of Singapore’s top female magicians, Ning Cai shocked fans by posting on Facebook that she was quitting the scene altogether.

“Time flies and it has been a great 10-year run for me,” she said. “Looking back, I’m really happy and content with all the awards and achievements I’ve made as a successful woman in this traditionally male-dominated industry.

“JC and I were a great team and that brilliant man has my complete respect and reverence. He wasn’t surprised at my decision because he knows me very well; I’m the creative free-spirit while he has always been the perspicacious one. That’s why we worked so well together over the years.”

Citing reasons such as wanting to be in a more stable relationship (she will marry her partner next month) and trying other pursuits such as writing (she has written an autobiography, Who Is Magic Babe Ning?, due later this month), Ning insisted that there wasn’t any one particular reason for leaving the successful partnership.

Her decision wasn’t a spur of the moment thing, adding that her friends and family supported her decision. “(JC and I) did talk about it right after we closed last year’s Singapore Night Festival — that I would finish up all my booked gigs this year before I made the news official that I was bowing out of magic”

Q: In the past year or so it seemed like you were also venturing into different areas of interest such as writing and yoga. Which of these will be your next career move?

A: I was offered a book contract to publish my memoirs in magic after wrapping up my last Concept:Magic gig in April, so I’d been busy writing my autobiography while doing some freelance writing, along with a month-long training stint for a 200-hour yoga teacher training programme overseas. I’ve just finished writing my book and I’m now busy with my December wedding plans so honestly I hadn’t given much thought yet to the next “career move”. But I can honestly tell you that Ning Cai 2.0 will be a pretty interesting project!

Q: Will you never return to magic or the spotlight?

A: I have no intention to perform magic professionally any more. If I do any magic (which I still love and enjoy), it will be for my own pleasure. Earlier this year, I’ve turned down big gigs in Macau, TV stints in China, a big international production show that tours, and even my own magic TV series. So yes, it’s really RIP Magic Babe!

Q: What is the biggest lesson you have learnt in all these years?

A: It’s important to never ever, ever lose yourself, and sometimes when you’re in the spotlight, when your work is much more than just work, you can get so easily carried away because of ego and expectations and attachment to success and fame. There were nights when looking into the mirror as I was wiping off my stage make up, I didn’t know who I was anymore or why I wanted things the old me wouldn’t. But the most important thing is life is contentment. A simple life, a good life. I realised I wanted to be known for the person that I am, not just recognised as my successful stage alter ego. And when I found the love of my life, the one person who loved me unconditionally and allowed me to be whoever I was meant to be, I realised it was time to let it go. I’d finally found the one I want to settle down with and start a family, but it was extremely hard letting go of the person (Magic Babe) I’d been for a decade.

Q: You have a book about your life due out. Was it easy looking back at the things you have done?

A: Plenty of cringe moments to be honest! There were also many times when I had to take a break from writing because it just got all too heavy — all those dark demons and emotional monsters coming out. I had to have a box of tissues next to me while working on the manuscript. My well-meaning BFF (Pamela Ho, who co-authored Adventures Of 2 Girls with Ning) asked if I really wanted to be so honest and open. I think my new book will probably have a M18 label slapped on the cover and readers may need a cold shower when they’re done with it. But I want autobiography to be a true and honest work, something I can go back to when I’m, like, 96 and reading it to our great grandkids: “Yes, your ah ma was a pink-haired jet-setting, fire-eating, award-winning international illusionist and two-time FHM cover girl who did a mean straitjacket striptease while hanging upside down 75 feet in the air above the National Museum of Singapore, from a burning rope attached from a construction crane!”

Revisiting the past can be like opening up a can of worms for the ego. I had to battle very real bouts of insecurity and melancholy when I travelled back to those dark times. There were mornings when I felt so lugubrious that I just wanted to hide in bed all day and not leave my bedroom to see the world. My ego nagged at my decision to leave showbiz especially at the height of my career, but gradually I was able to bravely face it and come to terms with all of it.