You are said to be a workaholic. Is that true?
Well, I was but I have improved in the recent years. Over the last 3 to 4 years I learnt how to relax. I’ll be working the whole year and for two weeks I’ll disappear somewhere for a holiday. I can’t stay in Malaysia because I’ll be tempted to work. Today is a good example. I’m supposed to be off. But I love every bit of what I’m doing so it’s OK.
We’ve seen you a lot on TV this year. What is keeping you busy these days?
I’m involved with a couple of projects that will hit the screens next year. First is a woman’s of talk show called Ladies Sdn Bhd. I’ll be hosting with two other girls, Vivian Tok and Lynn Lim. Can you imagine 3 of us talking at the same time? We’ll be touching a lot of rather sensitive relationship topics, so keep your Sunday nights free and tuned into Astro Wah Lai Toi. Also, I just got back from Beijing filming a Feng Shui related program but details are hush hush at the moment. Another thing is I’m coming up with 2 books which are long overdue. One is a food glossary and one is more personal, based on my Drivetime Mall segment on My FM.
How is it like hosting the Miss Astro Chinese International Pageant?
Initially, I was supposed to be a judge then they roped me in as a host and this is the 3rd year already. I think it is more challenging for the participants. For me, I need to be in control during the elimination rounds because emotions can get out of hand. Also to make my hosting more efficient, I need to get to know each girl.
Beauty pageants are often said to demean women. What’s your take on that?
I do think beauty pageants look for a certain type of girl. She has to fit a list of criteria. At least, now they are stressing on a lot of other aspects besides physical beauty. They are required to do TVCs, hostings, debates and so on. I feel most of the participants are quite sheltered by their family. One even drove a BMW to the audition.
With so many girls squeezed under one roof and pressured to outdo one another, are there any catfights?
Catfights are very rare but from time to time there are a few troublemakers. More often that not, these troublemakers are eliminated in the early rounds. This is a good stepping stone for those who want to join the entertainment scene so most of them are well behaved.
You are such a successful TV host. What are your secrets?
What is most important is to do your homework and research before any show so you don’t end up asking stupid questions and embarrassing yourself. I also prep myself in between shoots so as not to waste anyone’s time. For example in One Day Five Meals, the segment for each meal is about 10 minutes but I spend about 1 to 2 hours prepping the bosses and breaking the ice with them. That’s why they seem natural on camera. Good time management is also vital to keep your life in a balance.
Have you had any bad experience on One Day Five Meals?
Prior to shooting, we will recce the place first. It is important to make sure that the food we recommend are good because it’s my name on the line. There are cases where some places closed down before we aired the episode and there was one time this guy moved his stall. I also tell them to serve me the correct portions because viewers will expect the same portions when they eat there.
How do you stay healthy with all that eating?
This is one of the most common questions asked. For about two weeks when we shoot the series, I hardly get any sleep. I need to get up about 5am for make up and start shooting by 7am. We will only wrap up at about 1am so I only get to sleep by 2.30am. How can I gain any weight when I hardly get rest? Not to mention I do my own scriptwriting. I also try and do 15 minutes of yoga every day.
After sampling a wide variety of Malaysian food, what are your favourites?
There is a place in Rawang that sells the most delicious winter melon soup ever. Too bad I forgot how to get there. I also like sang har yee mee which I can’t find in Hong Kong. But I wouldn’t touch the durian. It tastes weird. I prefer stinky tofu!
How did you realise you got a knack for hosting?
I didn’t. Way back in school I always got picked to represent them in solo verse speaking and I kept thinking normal people don’t speak like that. This sounds so weird. I was also very talkative in class and often got into trouble because of that. Now I tell my teachers that my talking skills finally paid off. For inspiration I watch Larry King. He is my idol (laughs).
You have a degree in genetics engineering. Any plans to go back into that?
The funny thing was a pharmaceutical boss offered me a job in his company via Facebook but I don’t think I’ll go that way.
Hosting wrecks your vocal cords. How do you keep yours in good condition?
Actually I’m lazy to take care of it properly but I do follow some rules. Off screen or off stage I’m on what I call the slur mode so I minimise using those cords. I also avoid clubs and karaoke as much as possible. You need to scream to be heard and I’m already partially deaf, thanks to my job. I’d rather hang out in a lounge with friends or spend time with my babies, my 4 dogs.
I noticed your phone is pretty busy. What model are you using currently?
Right now I have a Sony Ericsson T650i. Ever since I started using mobile phones, this is my 20-something phone. I always need to replace the phone not because I lose them but because it breaks.
Wow! What do you do to those phones? Put them in a torture chamber?
Erm…I’m a very heavy user and not very diligent in taking care of them. I mean after the first three days I tend to be quite rough. Besides I’m always on the phone for business and personal reasons. I also use the camera a lot.
What’s the next phone you want?
The iPhone 3G! Just to complete the whole Apple line-up because I have an iPod and a MacBook.
Being a radio deejay before, what kind of playlist is in your iPod?
I’m ashamed to say that my iPod has become a white elephant. I only used it once or twice.
What are your phone bills like?
I spend about RM1,000 per month. Can you believe it? I, myself can’t believe it. I’ve checked my itemised billing and it seems I’ve been racking up those numbers. I video MMS and SMS a lot but I think the rates in Malaysia are too high. Back in Hong Kong the telco rates are dirt cheap. If you call from Hong Kong it’s about 20 cents per minute. In this day and age mobile phone bills shouldn’t be so expensive. Too bad when I check the itemised bills, I’m the culprit.
Can you share with us some of your mobile habits?
Let me see. I have a second phone that I use when I travel and at the same time my Malaysian line is never offline. I’m also careless when it comes to my phone. Once I was on my way to the airport and realised my phone was missing. I recalled stopping by a kiosk and my manager had to wake her brother up to help us find the phone. It turns out I dropped it by the roadside.
If given a choice would you rather lose your wallet or your mobile phone?
This is tough! Not taking into account of the celeb contacts in my phone, I’ll keep my wallet. It’s because my wallet is usually more expensive than the phone (laughs). My phones are usually less than RM2,000, besides it’s an excuse to get a new one isn’t it?
Tell us a bit about your personal website and blog.
Well, the website is a simple project I wanted to do but I don’t think it’s completely finished. As for the blog I decided to write in English but some of my fans feel left out. Another outlet for them is to log on to the My FM forum where I regularly participate.
Looking back when you first arrived in Malaysia and now, how have you changed?
I would say a lot. I came here with only one luggage and I don’t think I want to go back to Hong Kong permanently. Back there it’s so crowded and small. I’m spoilt by the spaciousness here. As an artiste I think my image has gone through gradual changes. I went from having a tomboy look to a sporty one and now I’m discovering my feminine side.
Can you describe yourself in 5 words?
I can do that with one. Warrior. I feel that I’m a warrior in every way, from personal relationships, family to work. To me, life is how we choose to live it and mine is full indeed.
Better known as Chui Ling to her legion of fans, she is a veteran in hosting and emceeing. Since moving to Malaysia from Hong Kong nearly a decade ago, the chatty celebrity has no plans of leaving. Mobile World gets to know the real person behind a big voice.
