SINGAPORE – You would think that TVB actress Grace Chan would have learnt how to handle paparazzi attention by now. Chan and her beau, fellow star Kevin Cheng, were recently snapped while in the middle of a dinner by the paparazzi in Hong Kong, with Chan calling the incident “crazy”.

The winner of Miss Hong Kong 2013 and Miss Chinese International Pageant 2014 was recently in Singapore for a meet-and-greet session as a curtain raiser of sorts for the StarHub TVB Awards, which will be held on Oct 24 in Singapore.

“It is crazy. I mean, no one really invites that kind of attention to their lives. It is very shocking; you’re just trying to enjoy your dinner and then all of a sudden, they rush in and what do you do? I apparently went like this (shows a fist in front of her face) and the photo is hilarious,” she exclaimed. “I was like a deer in headlights in it. (Kevin) was really calm and was like: ‘Can you guys give us space?’

“I was like: ‘Why did they use that photo? It’s terrible!’ Next time I’ll be so cool ... and I’ll have perfect hair and everything.”

Q: Can having perfect hair really complement an outfit?

A: I believe I can wear no make-up but I think the hair has to be nice. I can’t stand not having good hair when I go out because it just feels like it ruins your whole look. Say you have perfect make-up and your clothes are perfect but your hair is a mess, it just seems not in character. If you’re wearing no make-up but you have nice hair, people just think that you are going for a minimal style.

Q: What about your personal style when you are not working?

A: When I am not working, I prefer to be super casual. I like wearing tank tops, shorts and flats. My choice is definitely not high heels. I know a lot of girls like high heels but to me, I would choose comfort over anything else. I think you can be stylish but still comfortable. The older I get, the more I like buying very plain T-shirts: Nothing with too much designs because I like to mix and match. If I’m wearing a T-shirt, I can wear a patterned skirt or I can wear something over the top but when you have something that is very recognisable, you wear it once or twice and everyone’s like: ‘Oh I know that, you wore it, like, yesterday.’ (Laughs) It’s easier to use something that’s plain and then add onto it.

Q: What is an item every woman should have in their wardrobe?

A: I think it’s good to have a really good pair of jeans that you can match with anything. You put on high heels and it’s glamourous; you put on flats and you can go out for shopping. I love wearing rings (as well). I don’t think you need to have it but rings are something that are very simple. It feels like they go well with everything. For statement necklaces, you can’t wear them all the time but rings are something that are very personal and always mean something. You don’t just buy a ring for no occasion, there’s usually a reason behind it.

Q: Can you share more about your upcoming dramas?

A: We’re going to have Captain Of Destiny and I’m really excited because it’s the first time that I’m in a period drama. I play someone from the present day but a tornado brings me back into the past. It’s hilarious because everyone knows that learning the language in period dramas is very hard because it’s not what we’re typically used to. But because I’m from the present, I can just use modern terms - sometimes I speak in English. And everyone’s like: ‘You can’t do that.’ It’s a little bit like a fantasy drama. Honestly, it’s just a lot of fun (and) we laughed so much on set.

Q: How do you feel about being in Brother’s Keeper 2?

A: I’m nervous, because I love Brother’s Keeper 1. Everyone has such chemistry in the drama and I’m a new addition so I feel like I have to see how I’m going interact with everyone in the drama. Kristal Tin makes me so nervous because I think she’s such a terrific actress and when she does everything, it’s so natural. I’m not like that. So sometimes when I’m around her, I get really anxious and I don’t say anything. She asked: ‘Are you okay? Are you scared of me?’ And I’m like: ‘No no no.’ But actually, I am. (Laughs)

Iconic costumes and props from some of TVB’s hit dramas such as The Duke Of Mount Deer and Triumph In The Skies will be on display from Aug 17 to 23 at Tampines Mall. For more information, visit http://www.starhubtvbawards.com.

CORRECTION: In the story “5 Questions with Grace Chan”, we reported that the StarHub TVB Awards will be held in Hong Kong. This is incorrect. It will be held in Singapore. We apologise for the error.