Jeanette Aw On Having Trust Issues And How She Plans To Stay Safe Working In China

When we sat down with Jeanette Aw at the press conference for Ch 8’s new showbiz-themed drama After The Stars, we never expected the star to be so chatty and perky because she had touched down from Tokyo just a couple of hours ago. But yet here she is, looking like she had just come from a spa retreat instead of a seven-hour flight, happily taking about her role in the drama, which also stars Shaun Chen, Cynthia Koh, Jojo Goh, Lin Meijiao and Jasmine Sim.

“Wah, my character is very sad. She tries so hard to be an actress, and yet she’s unable to become famous, Jeanette says about her very sorrowful character, who is an artiste manager,. And when she finally does [become famous], she loses her memory in a tragic accident and then… you know what, just watch it lah.

It's not that much of a stretch for Jeanette to play an artiste manager actually. After all, she's been managing herself since leaving Mediacorp and Hype Records-Artiste Network in 2017. In fact, it's a role she's destined to play. According to the 40-year-old, her “curiosity” about the job back when she still had a manager has helped her portray the character better.

“When I was being managed as an actress, I would communicate with my manager and try to understand what was going on so that we could get work done in an efficient manner,” she tells 8days.sg.

And now that she's a free agent, she's continued being efficient in managing her own career.

In this year alone, Jeanette, apart from filming After The Stars, produced her second film, Senses, held a successful solo art exhibition in Japan, re-released her 2015 book, Sol's World: Somebody to Love, in Japanese, and somehow found time to complete the final term of her patisserie course in Tokyo's Le Cordon Bleu Culinary School.

“I had to make an entree and a plated dessert for the exam... just like in MasterChef,” laughs Jeanette.

8 DAYS: Do you think you were an easy artiste to manage back when you were a full-time actress?
JEANETTE AW: (Laughs) In Singapore we have a lot of freedom to do the things we want. There is no paparazzi, and there’s nothing to worry about if I decide to go out for dinner. I don’t have to worry about whether a picture of me is gonna be circulated online. (Laughs) Our lives are still quite comfortable and as artistes here, we don’t get into much trouble.

Now that you've experienced life on the other side, does it make you more grateful for your manager?
Well, of course it’s always good to have someone you can trust to manage your work and someone who knows you very well ‘cos they will know if you like something or not. The relationship between artiste and their manager has to be based on trust and it’s very important. When you have someone you can trust and understand, the partnership can work very well. I’ve known [her PA-cum-manager] Pauline for 18 years and she’s worked with me for 10.

How long does it take for you to trust someone to work for you?
I would that say it takes time. I trust people very easily, but I always get hurt. Like, why do I always do the same stupid thing over and over again? I would always put my trust in someone and then realise that they’re doing things that are not exactly to my benefit or that there wasn't any open communication between the two of us... There are a lot of things I get hurt by, and then it takes some time for me to warm up to new people again. I’m quite a quiet person, so if you don’t know me, you’d think that I’m very aloof and proud. And then if I don't smile, it’s even worse, ‘cos I scare people. (Laughs) It may take some time for me to warm up to someone, but once that happens, a relationship starts. So yeah, it takes a while.

You held an art exhibition in Tokyo and also re-published your book in Japanese. Tell us more about that.
Actually, I did not plan for the re-publication! I was just so very, very lucky that all these things happened. Since I was the PR ambassador for Takasaki City, they took a look at my book and thought that it would be interesting to introduce this book to Japan. We discussed and came up with a plan to do an art exhibition together with the book launch ‘cos it wasn't done in Singapore. I showed them my portfolio, which included pieces of my original work, and we picked about 20 pieces for the exhibition.

How was the reception?
It was really good actually! I felt very happy and very touched ‘cos a lot of people came from different parts of the world to support me. My fans from Singapore, China, Hongkong and Cambodia were there. There were some locals who saw my movie Ramen Teh, and one of them even flew in from Osaka just for it. It’s a moment that I really treasure ‘cos it’s so rare to have an exhibition in a location as rare and prime as Tokyo’s Ginza 6.

You'll be filming a drama in China in January. Are you wary of the working conditions there, especially after Godfrey Gao’s unfortunate passing?
[Godfrey’s death] is really an unfortunate incident. But as an artist, I wouldn't take up a job that I don't feel a hundred per cent comfortable with. Sometimes you just want to push yourself and I totally understand that ‘cos I do it myself as well. Like, performing stunts on my own. However, if I feel that if it’s way beyond my ability, I would tell the stunt coordinator that it’s not something I can do. If they want me to execute a move that’s really difficult, I’d ask them to show me themselves first! (Laughs) Sometimes, they can’t even do it themselves! It’s really about knowing your limits and making sure that you’re safe. I won’t be shy to reject stunts ‘cos at the end of my day, it’s my health and I need to take care of it.

On top of everything else that you’re doing, you’re also running your fashion website, Curatedition. How involved are you with the site now?
I’m working with a partner and with a website, a lot of things can be done online so there’s not much of a problem. We’re so lucky to be in this age where technology is so advanced. As long as we can have an internet connection, I can work anywhere. In fact, the time difference between Tokyo and Singapore is only one hour, so it’s not like they have to wait until I wake up for a reply!

You can direct, bake, draw and write, so is there anything you can’t do?
(Laughs) Hip-hop. That’s something I’d never do. (Laughs) That’s ‘cos I'm classically-trained and ballet and hip-hop are quite opposing genres. (Laughs) ​​​​​​​

2019 has been a really busy year for you. Did your loved ones complain that you’re always not around?
My parents are used to it. In fact, I was away for about five months when I filmed my first ever project in Taiwan. They’ve gotten used to not seeing me for months on end, but sometimes I do worry about them. However, they’re always assuring me that they’re fine. Parents, you know? (Laughs) So whenever I have a short break in between projects, I'll just come back and see them.

So what was the most memorable thing that has happened to you this year?
Wow, I can’t think of a particular thing that was more outstanding than the other ‘cos they’re all very special projects. This year has been nothing short of amazing. There’s quite a lot of things going on. I completed my second short film, [I filmed] this drama, my book launch and art exhibition… There have been so many things going on and special moments for me that it feels like such a long year when you look back… And yeah, I wouldn’t have expected myself to be able to do so many things in a year! So wow.. It’s been super fulfilling!

Photos: Kelvin Chia/ 8days.sg and Mediacorp Photo Unit

After The Stars premieres Dec 16, 9pm on Ch 8. You can also catch it first on Toggle now.