Zoe Tay Had To Do This To Play A Chicken Rice Seller Convincingly

“The director wanted me to take it all off,” says Zoe Tay.

“It” refers to the make-up our Ah Jie was wearing on her first day on the set of Singapore-Taiwan co-production, All Is Well. She has a small but substantial role in the drama, playing a humble chicken rice seller married to Chen Hanwei's compulsive gambler. Romeo Tan plays her son, a chef who gets himself involved in a crime spree.

This multi-million dollar production, which also stars Taiwanese actors Blue Lan, Pets Tseng and Liu Kuan Ting as well as our own Desmond Tan, Elvin Ng and Sheila Sim, is one of Mediacorp’s most ambitious projects. The 40-ep cybercrime thriller, which is based on the 2016 real-life hacking of ATMs across Taiwan, will be presented as two interwoven series, with two episodes airing back to back each time. The first series, to be aired on Ch 8, will follow the Singapore plot line, while the second series will feature the Taiwanese plot and will air on Ch U the same night.

But back to Zoe, who we're speaking to at All Is Well's super glam press conference at the Andaz Singapore. You’d think that the 51-year-old star, or any actress for that matter, would freak out when faced with such a request. After all, who wants to appear onscreen sans make-up right? But it didn't faze our Ah Jie one bit. In fact, she's pretty used to going bare-faced in public. A quick scroll through the mother-of-three’s Instagram and you’ll notice that she has posted a number of #NoMakeup pics.

“You don’t see kopitiam aunties in real life wearing all make-up too, right?” exclaims the ever-professional Zoe. “In fact, going without make-up was a good thing because it helped me portray my character more convincingly.

8 DAYS: Did you have to learn how to cook chicken rice for your role in the drama?
ZOE TAY: (Laughs) Luckily, no! We just needed to observe the hawker’s daily lifestyle. But I feel that it was how the character was styled that made me look like a real chicken rice seller instead. I remember the director asking me to remove all my make-up, including my eyeshadow and all, on the first day of filming. I only had some lip gloss left. And when I looked at myself in the mirror, I felt really convinced [that I was a chicken rice seller]. Because chicken rice sellers in real life don’t wear make-up too!

Did you feel uncomfortable going without make-up?
Not at all! I didn't mind it because I was playing a character, not myself. Initially, I was shocked when I saw my imaging photos because I had full make-up and my hair was nicely done. Imagine having eye shadow, mascara, blush and lipstick while working at a coffee shop! I was like, Are you sure? I thought we would be working in a fast food store, or somewhere indoors with air-conditioning. But no! It’s a kopitiam! (Laughs) Where got time to put all that make-up?

Most of your scenes were filmed at a chicken rice stall. How was that like?
Actually, it wasn't not too bad because the production team booked out almost the entire coffee shop. (Laughs) And the rest of the hawkers there were very nice to us! Sure it was hot at times but it wasn't that bad 'cos we had portable fans. And luckily I wasn't wearing make-up, so I could sweat freely! (Laughs)

If you were to be a hawker, what food will you sell?
I would be in charge of the drinks stall! (Laughs) Cannot lah! I cannot sell food ‘cos it must taste good for it to sell! It’s too much commitment and I don’t think I can do it! They wake up at midnight to prepare and spend the whole day serving the dish… Cannot lah! Drink stalls better! (Laughs)

But you often post on Instagram the dishes that you cook for your family. And they look fantastic!
Aiyah, sometimes only lah! It’s not good enough! I don’t even dare to invite friends over to try my food! (Laughs) My standard is only for myself to eat! (Laughs)

Last month, Jin Yinji was in the news when she ended up in the hospital after taking laxatives to purge the chicken rice she ate during filming. Were you afraid that you had to stuff your face with chicken rice too?
Thankfully we didn’t eat much chicken rice during the shoot, so nope! I’m not sick of it and chicken rice will always be a Singaporean favourite. Actually, I wasn’t aware of [what happened to Jin-jie] until I read the news. I immediately called her and she said she was okay. When we met, she told us that she didn’t know it would be that serious and said that she would take better care of herself. We were so worried!

In the show, your character has to deal with her husband gambling away her money. What would you do if you were in the same situation?
(Ponders) Gambling is something that will make life very difficult for everyone. In real life… Cry lor. (Laughs) I think I will have to send him for rehab. Divorce? It depends on how bad it is. But don’t even start lah. Anything to do with money will always turn out to be a very ugly issue.

What is your family’s stance when it comes to gambling?
My dad was super strict about us not gambling but my husband was the one who taught me how to play mahjong (laughs). But personally, I don’t encourage gambling. I was brought up in a family where drinking, smoking and gambling wasn't encouraged. And so I tell my kids not to [do those things] too.

But will they ever learn how to play mahjong?
Maybe when they’re more mature. It’s like adult Lego. (Laughs)

You’re paired with Hanwei again in this drama. Do you ever get bored of working with him?
Nope! ‘Cos Hanwei’s always coming up with different things for his characters! You’ll never feel bored with him. He’s quite a pro in his job and we’re always discussing our characters on set.

All Is Well debuts Aug 26 2019, 9pm on Ch 8 and 10pm on Ch U.

Photos: Mark Lee