Hongkong actress Monica Chan has had quite a rocky love life. The 54-year-old has been in a few high-profile relationships throughout her career, with several of them dipped in scandal.

More than once, she has been accused of being the third party and was said to have come between Hongkong star Vivian Chow and her then-boyfriend (now husband), writer Joe Nieh.

In a recent episode of Chinese reality competition Go!Streamers, in which the former Miss Hongkong is a contestant, she brought up the rumours and denied ever being the other woman.

“There was talk that I liked that person and was the third party but I have never been the third party. Because I don’t want to. I feel you need to respect other women,” she said.

Though Monica didn’t mention any names, the media assumed she was referring to her relationship with Joe, whom she dated in 1994. At that time, Vivian had just split with Joe and there was a lot of negative press surrounding the new relationship. Monica and Joe broke up after two years and he reconciled with Vivian, whom he married in 2009.

Monica explained previously in an interview that when she was dating Joe, he had told her he was single and even had the blessing of his ex to move on. But after so many years, she's still labelled as the “other woman” by the public.

During the show, Monica also shared her views on love and her rather unique taste in men. “I like guys who are male chauvinists, I like people to go, ‘Shut up, listen to me’. After that, I’ll just [give a coy look] and go okay,” she said.

“When I fall in love with the person, I will be very obedient,” she added.

Now happily single, Monica says she is in no hurry to settle down: “I believe in love but I won’t force or rush it. No one knows what will happen in the future. Just be happy and live your life.”

Monica’s other high-profile boyfriends include tycoon Julian Hui (yes, Michelle Reis' hubby), and “oil king” Chu Ming, who reportedly turned out to be a con artist.

When they first started dating in 2008, there were claims that she stole him from TVB actress Sharon Luk. Despite talk that they were going to get married, the couple split after one year, and Monica was labelled materialistic for dumping him when he had financial problems. The criticism got so bad and Monica was so affected by the gossip that she even contemplated suicide.

Photos: Monica Chan/Weibo, Apple Daily