Much has been said and speculated about 28-year-old Hongkong actress Grace Chan and her twin brother Derek, whose mixed-race features have led many to question their ethnicity and even suspect them of being adopted by their Chinese parents (not that she really minds, though, as she told 8days.sg a few years ago).

Recently, their mother Connie gave an interview on a radio show to talk about her family, including the ‘mystery’ of her two younger children’s “mixed race” looks. Grace and Derek also have an older sister named Joyce, who, unlike them, looks more typically Chinese.

According to Connie, both Grace and Derek were “as fair-skinned as their sister” when they were born, but when they were about 14 or 15 years old, “their eyes suddenly became bigger and their faces became sharper”. Derek also grew a thick beard.

“Perhaps it’s ‘cos my mother is Malaysian and has an Asian appearance,” Connie mused, although she didn’t specify exactly what type of “Asian” the twins’ grandmother is. “What’s more, the kids loved outdoor activities and the food in Canada has a lot of hormones!” (Grace’s family immigrated from Hongkong to Vancouver when she was a child.)

Connie then addressed rumours about her eldest daughter Joyce feeling inferior to Grace ‘cos of the latter’s beauty.

“Joyce is more sporty, spontaneous, and carefree, and is a very gentle person. On the other hand, Grace started refusing to leave the house without wearing a skirt when she was three or four years old. She once chose to stay at home instead of going to Ocean Park ‘cos she insisted on wearing a skirt.”

She continued, “When Joyce was 14 or 15, I asked her if she would be uncomfortable if someone said her younger sister was prettier than her. She said she wouldn’t, and that everyone is beautiful in different ways.”

Connie also clarified that the sisters actually get along very well, even though Grace seems to rarely post about Joyce on her socials.

“Grace really loves her family and adores her big sister,” she said. “It’s natural for people who don’t know us to make assumptions, but anyone who knows our family will feel that there is absolutely no problem. There’s no need for us to prove anything.”

Another rumour Connie tackled was the one claiming that she didn’t approve of Grace’s husband, 51-year-old Hongkong actor Kevin Cheng… which turned out to be true.

“Firstly, I didn’t know him. Secondly, I had heard he was a playboy, and his age made me worry that he was only interested in fooling around,” she explained. “This was Grace’s first love, so I was really scared and unhappy, but I didn’t know what to do.”

Fortunately, Connie got to know Kevin better and now has nothing but praise for her son-in-law. Especially when it comes to how well he takes care of Grace and their sons Rafael, two, and Yannick, who turns one in July. “I give him 101 points — that extra point is from God!”

Photos: Grace Chan/Instagram, Derek Chan/Instagram