Archive for 'Celebrities'
Louis Koo and Barbie Hsu: The story behind my interview
Posted on September 26, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Learning Curve.
The first sign that all was not going to be well took place during the press conference for their new film Connected (保持通话), a Hong Kong remake of the Hollywood film Cellular.
Louis Koo (古天乐) seemed uninterested while Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛) and director Benny Chan (陳木勝) fielded questions, and what responses he deigned to provide were pithy one-liners liberally sprinkled with sarcasm. When the emcee asked how he would respond if a stranger rang him on his cell phone begging for help, Louis simply said: “I suppose I would try my best.”
Pressed further if that would involve calling the police, he said: “Trying my best can mean a lot of things.”
That was it. No elaboration, nothing. I groaned inwardly. I had a one-on-one interview slot with Louis and Barbie and the last thing I needed was a grumpy, uncooperative actor on only my third attempt at a Mandarin interview.
Perhaps not surprisingly, the press conference ended early. I double checked my interview time slot with the person in charge and decided to head back to the office because I had two and a half hours waiting time. Barely had I warmed my seat when the phone call came. “Can you please come back? Your interview is going to start soon.”
I looked at the clock. It had only been an hour. As if I wasn’t stressed out enough about having to deal with an unresponsive Louis Koo, I now had to rush back to the venue while panicking because I could barely remember my questions because I don’t think in Mandarin and so everything takes twice as long to process - think in English, translate to Mandarin, speak.
I got there in time with R, who was playing photographer, and while waiting for Barbie to finish a TV interview, even managed to catch Louis for a photograph. He seemed a lot more cheerful then, which was a relief. Heck, the man was practically friendly!
Then we got down to the interview.
Louis took a women’s mag off one of his handlers, settled back into his chair and started reading. “I’m listening to you,” he told me. Fine. I got straight into it with Barbie Hsu, and - to my surprise, admittedly - everything just flowed! In Mandarin. There was no delayed process time, there was no frantic referring of my notes, there were no awkward silences while I tried to formulate sentences; it was freaking amazing!
Unfortunately, the same could not be said of Louis. While Barbie was an absolute delight - open, chatty, nice; he kept right on reading. I would go, “And what do you think, Louis?” And he would look at me blankly and say, “What?”, before giving me one line.
When he said his fourth “What?”, I told him only half jokingly, “You weren’t listening to my question!”
He said, “Oh I was just joking,” and gave me another one liner.
By the sixth time, I was going, “Excuse me, Louis, hellooooo? Sorry to interrupt you…”
The sarcasm was lost on him. When I asked him if playing a father onscreen had made him think about becoming a father himself (he is 37 after all), he replied, “I also play a lot of murderers; does that make me want to become a murderer too?”
Stuff the formalities, he was curled up in his chair with his shoes on the seat anyway. “Well, I don’t know,” I shot back. “Do you?”
“No, of course not,” he said.
“Then what about becoming a father?” I was beginning to get a little bratty myself, to be honest. And wonder of wonders, he gave me a full-on proper answer, complete with sentences that made sense.
As a sidebar to my interview, I asked Barbie and Louis for five things their fans didn’t know about them. Louis dropped his magazine in feigned shock, stood up and told his manager, “I have to say five things?” in mock exaggeration, and walked off!
I ignored him and continued talking to Barbie. He came back. I asked him for three things instead. He gave me two which weren’t even proper answers. I gave up. The guy’s a brat. And he’s not even as cool or good looking in person!
Later, R and I found out he has a reputation for being impossible to interview. I suppose I got off relatively lightly. I can only imagine what he does to male reporters. And by the way, this has totally boosted my confidence in conducting Mandarin assignments. It’s a new challenge (and adrenaline rush) I’m really enjoying.
7 Comments
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live
Posted on September 15, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, God.
Christian singer-songwriter Steven Curtis Chapman and his family were on Larry King Live to talk about the family’s recent tragedy where their five-year-old daughter was accidentally hit by a car being driven by their teenage son. So I found it all on YouTube:
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part I
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part II
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part III
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part IV
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part V
Steven Curtis Chapman on Larry King Live Part VI
I warn you, this is tear-inducing stuff. In the midst of all that has happened, this has been good to make me pause and look outside of our country for the first time in days. I cannot even imagine what it must be like for the Chapman family, but I see their faith, their strength and their peace, and I am amazed. I have been reminded to stop, take a step back and remember the things that are most important.
1 Comment
If Zac Efron were Spanish
Posted on August 24, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Sports.
(Image originally from here.)
Meet Ricky Rubio, a 17-year-old basketball prodigy and member of the Spanish Olympic basketball team. The Spaniards put up a good fight, but the NBA stars (finally) showed why they are the best in the world. Well, there’s definitely no shame in this silver medal. In fact, going with Malaysia’s logic, they should all be made Datuks.
I think Ricky looks like Zac Efron. In fact, if a Spanish adaptation of High School Musical should ever be made, I reckon he should play Troy Bolton. He’s the right age, has the right looks and is actually really good at basketball. Someone give this boy a singing and dancing audition.
1 Comment
MTV Asia Awards: Red carpet
Posted on August 5, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Movies Music TV.
My first awards show red carpet was great fun. I wasn’t even supposed to be there initially, but unexpectedly got in on the action. Here’s a quick rundown and some pics:
The lucky fans who had been picked to line the red carpet and go into the mosh pit truly deserved their chance. They were absolutely tireless, shrieking and singing and cheering for virtually two hours straight. They made my ears ring and made me feel old.
Because I wasn’t officially on assignment as a photographer, there was no pressure for me to jostle for space and fight for good camera angles with the rest. MTV VJs Utt and Taya were the first to walk down the red carpet.
Right alongside them was fellow VJ Denise.
Top dancers the JabbaWockeeZ came next. I thought they were a little under-utilised during the show.
The Pussycat Dolls were, sadly, decently covered for the red carpet and their performance during the show. They were really obliging and friendly and had none of the airs I half expected.
The Click Five was the exact opposite. Considering their fan base is mostly Asian, I thought they were almost rude. They barely stopped to pose for the cameras, talk to the TV guys or sign any autographs like the rest of the celebrities. Are they getting a little too big for their britches? Considering the size of those skinny pants, I can’t imagine it to be too difficult.
Jared Leto was charm itself on the red carpet, during the show and especially during the post-show press conference - a marked difference from my first encounter. I’m won over and I’ll admit it’s partly got to do with those eyes (I so wanted a photo!). His band 30 Seconds To Mars picked up the Video Star Award for their song ‘A Beautiful Lie’. It’s a great video and it amazes me how someone so outwardly peaceful and composed can be so angsty when he sings (it also shocks me to find out how ridiculously quickly the Artic is melting). Find out more about ‘A Beautiful Lie’ here.
Jared’s co-host for the awards, Karen Mok. Did you know Karen’s birth name is Karen Joy Morris?
Leona Lewis was an absolute darling. Barely recovered from tonsillitis, she went on to give what I thought was hands-down the best performance of the entire night. Her voice is unbelievable.
OneRepublic got probably the biggest surprise of the night when they came onto the red carpet and the fans sang ‘Apologize’ to them. It was almost touching.
The guys from Panic At The Disco. Their performance during the show featured acrobats, dancers and a marching brass band!
Reta, Sherelyn and I after the red carpet. We had to have at least one of us.
For the rest of my MTV Asia Awards pics, go here.
1 Comment
MTV Asia Awards: The Script, Click Five, Jared Leto
Posted on August 1, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Movies Music TV.
So I interviewed two of the three boys from The Script yesterday. Mark couldn’t make the MTV Asia Awards because his wife is having a baby, but Danny and Glen were tons of fun. They were hilarious, down to earth and friendly - top blokes we enjoyed interviewing and would enjoy kicking back a drink or two with.
Having met/spoken to a fair bunch of celebrities, I’ve come to realise that while the vast majority of those I’ve met are nice, there aren’t many that really embody the guys-next-door they all say they want to be. The Script do. Some would argue it’s because they are not big enough to be divas yet, but I hope they stay approachable because that would set them apart from most.
The MTV Asia Awards are tomorrow and press stuff began in earnest yesterday. I drove up to Genting Highlands for the first time because we had interviews with The Script and Jared Leto.
While we waited for a record label rep to hook MA up with Jared, I was most amused to see some of the Click Five members simply hanging around the lobby. Amidst the logistical scurry and last-minute panic of hosting such a major event - most hotel staff had a slightly frazzled air about them; the celebrities that had arrived were pretty much free to wander undisturbed. There weren’t many people around (yet) anyway.
As I watched workers unload half a dozen dressing tables (you know, the kind that has fluorescent lights around the mirror), I contemplated going up to Clicks one, two and three, but decided not to. It wasn’t only during dinner at night that I realised I should have, because I knew people who would absolutely love an autograph. Silly me.
While we were waiting in the lobby, the elevator doors opened and Jared, who by the way is hosting the awards show, sauntered out with his manager. He reminds me of Willy Wonka for some reason - something about that quirky, slightly eccentric air about him as he “floated” past. It can’t have been the hat, sunnies and skinny jeans. We were formally introduced to him in an Indian restaurant, where he clasped both hands together, bowed and said, “Nice to meet you.” More out of instinct than anything else, I immediately bowed back. “Nice to meet you too.”
Currently loving this song from The Script, ‘The Man Who Can’t Be Moved’:
No Comments
Q&A with Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed
Posted on July 22, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Movies Music TV.
As promised, excerpts from my interview with Gene Simmons and Shannon Tweed. These were my questions but it was a group telephone interview so any of the other journos were free to use them. I admit to being a little annoyed sometimes, especially when I read other articles that were written using mostly my questions and not their own but like I said, it was a group interview and it’s perfectly normal and acceptable.
What sets Gene Simmons Family Jewels apart from all the other reality TV shows out there?
Shannon Tweed: We’re real and we’re not a car accident.
Gene Simmons: I think women around the world, especially in Malaysia, would love to see a woman like Shannon. Shannon is a modern 21st century woman who doesn’t define herself by any man – certainly not me. I think that’s a great wake up call to women around the world. I don’t care what religion or culture you are from; you are more important than you think you are. Maybe you’re even more important than the men in the world, and that’s a self-empowering message. If the women of the world want to see what a super 21st century woman is like, you watch our show and you’ll see Shannon, who speaks her mind and if she doesn’t agree with me…
ST: You know, just because I kick your ass doesn’t mean I’m modern.
GS: That’s what I mean.
You and Shannon have done a fantastic job of bringing up Nick and Sophie. What is the secret?
GS: The secret is Shannon Tweed.
ST: It’s not.
GS: Go to your local store and buy the deluxe Shannon Tweed model. Whatever it costs, go and buy that model. That will bring you lots of happiness.
ST: The secret is not a secret. It’s how to say ‘no’ and mean it and how to say ‘yes’ and mean it. When the kids were growing up, they would try to play one parent against the other. You have to have a unified front, and you have to not fight with each other in front of the children. You have to show them that you’re the boss and you mean what you say. They could never change my mind about anything, so they never tried to beg me for things. If I said they couldn’t go out, they didn’t ask me twice. They know that ‘no’ is no and it never changes to ‘yes’ so it was always very clear what we were doing and they didn’t question our authority, and that’s important, I think.
GS: Love your mother, fear your father.
ST: You can fear your mother too.
GS: I do.
What if your kids wanted to become rock stars, would that be a ‘yes’ or ‘no’?
ST: I don’t have to give them permission to be what they’re going to be when they’re grown up. When they’re adults, they make their own decisions and then my job is over. [Laughs]
GS: That would be fine with me, as long as they had the work ethic. No lazy way out, no expecting somebody else to do it. If they work as hard as I do, they’ll have a great job whatever they do. You have to love labour, not look for a job. Don’t get a job; love working, whatever you do.
What won’t you do on Gene Simmons Family Jewels?
ST: What won’t you pay for? Let me think.
GS: Oh my god, I already jerked off a bull, what else do you want me to do?
ST: [Laughs] It’s more like, what won’t they film?
GS: I’m saying, once you do that, who the h*ll cares after that? By the way, there’s nothing that smells like that.
ST: Oh my God.
GS: There’s nothing. It’s not like turpentine, not like anything.
ST: There’s one thing… [Laughs]
GS: [Laughs] For those of you who don’t know, one of the episodes had me, well, let’s just say it had to do with a big bull – 1200 pounds – and how the bull’s sperm was actually worth more than the bull. You’ve never seen anything like this in your life.
ST: Why you had to go get some, I have no idea.
GS: I had to tie up the cow. That part I liked. I had to put on these long gloves and a catcher’s mitt – this kind of thing that caught it. You’ve never seen anything like this. It’s unbelievable.
ST: So, to answer your question - nothing.
What about maybe getting married on TV?
ST: Good question.
GS: I’m not familiar with that term.
ST: There’s something he won’t do, isn’t there? But you know what the happy news is? There’s something we’ll also never do, and that’s get divorced on camera.
GS: Or off camera, Shannon Tweed.
ST: I feel better already.
1 Comment
A gem of a reality show
Posted on July 19, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Movies Music TV, Parenting.
I’ve never been one for celebrity reality shows, but I must say Gene Simmons Family Jewels has piqued my interest. The combination of Gene Simmons, who is quite the character, and his close-knit family, the “happily unmarried” partner Shannon Tweed and their two kids Nick and Sophie, make for a pretty interesting watch. Plus, they’re really funny.
It’s one of their biggest quirks that a controversial rockstar (of KISS fame) and a former Playboy model would produce two perfectly-behaved, smart, witty and all-round fantastic youngsters. Really makes you think about what society perceives as “good parents” versus what it really takes to be a “good parent” and to raise a wonderful family.
Earlier this year, I did a telephone interview with Gene and Shannon so I got to ask them what their secret is. Gene said the secret is Shannon (awww). Shannon said the secret is to say no and really mean it. Nick and Sophie never ask twice, she said, because they know she means what she says.
In a time where many parents are trying to abandon the rod in favour of communication and reasoning, Gene and Shannon are sticking to strict parenting and discipline. I think it’s ridiculous that parents are trying to negotiate with their children these days, he said. And he has a point.
I can totally imagine them being strict parents. Gene - who claims he’s never been high, drunk or smoked in his life (and expects the same of his kids) - is apparently known for not tolerating ignorant or silly questions from the media. When the interview started, a computer went off in the background and Gene stopped. “What’s that? Who did that? Turn it off immediately.”
I immediately moved my phone, which I had already put into silent mode, off the table just in case it decided to vibrate. Throughout the entire 30 minutes, nothing else went off anywhere. You don’t want to piss off Gene Simmons.
I’ll put up the interview another day. It makes a real interesting read.
3 Comments
Red Cliff
Posted on July 11, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, Learning Curve, Movies Music TV.
I watched Red Cliff today… three hours before I attended a press conference with John Woo, Chang Chen, Lin Chi Ling and Zhang Feng Yi. I thought the movie was absolutely fantastic, though I should also add that I’m a huge fan of Tony Leung and Takeshi Kaneshiro. For non-fans, I’d tone down the adjectives by a couple degrees, but it’s still a great movie.
I’d be happy to watch Tony Leung and Takeshi do nothing but stare at each other because I find their onscreen charisma so mesmerising, but I suppose that wouldn’t have been a very interesting movie. Luckily, Red Cliff is set in the context of the Three Kingdoms so there’s plenty of action to go round. Oh, and there’s a sequel. I probably should tell you that because I didn’t know beforehand and when the movie ended abruptly I almost swore out loud in the cinema.
I love watching Chinese movies. Good ones, obviously. I feel as though I’m immersed in another world, because the circle that I currently inhabit is so far removed from a world where everyone speaks Mandarin. In fact, hardly anybody speaks to me in Mandarin on a regular basis.
I love listening to the actors speaking Mandarin, and I love that I understand what’s going on. It’s like I get to be a part of that world for a while and share their jokes and follow their lives when no one else can. By ‘no one’ I really mean Y and most of our close friends, of course, though Y does take an interest in Chinese movies if a gem comes along. I reckon Red Cliff is one of those gems.
I love that I recognise the names of the characters; I love that I remember bits of the context from high school Chinese history lessons; I love just listening to the language being spoken by Taiwanese and mainland Chinese actors because it’s different from how we speak it here (kinda like how our English has a different accent from Americans and Brits I suppose).
The press conference (pc) also marked a major milestone for me. I asked my first Mandarin question at a pc. I hardly attend non-English pcs and when I do, I usually leave all the question-asking to the real Chinese press even though I understand everything that’s going on. Today, I decided it was time to break that mental block. After all, I am perfectly capable of conversing in the language, no?
I’ll admit it: I was nervous as hell. I formed the question in my head and rehearsed it mentally a couple of times to make sure I didn’t sound like an idiot in front of the entire roomful of people. And when I was finally called upon… I blanked and totally forgot my carefully constructed sentence!
Well, the floor was already mine so what’s the worst that could happen? I’ll probably never speak to John Woo (or any of the others) again anyway. After a couple of uhms while I waited for my brain to resume working, I got my question out. It was a bit choppy in the beginning but I did it. And I didn’t sound like an idiot. And I did it without my pre-constructed sentence so I guess I am capable of holding my own after all. I swear there was a massive smiley face floating around inside my head. I think I’m going to be fine from now on.
I don’t have any photos from the pc because R was my photographer. And I didn’t even get anywhere near the foursome so no pictures with them either. Security was way tight - sometimes I think Asian celebs are more particular than Western ones though we’ve certainly come across a couple of divas from the latter group. Anyway, just go watch the movie.
No Comments
Keeping perspective
Posted on July 10, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities, It's a Girl's Life.
In the middle of my day, in light of my recent mullings and slightly “I don’t know what to call it” disposition, it was just what I needed to gain a little perspective on my life and the big, big world out there. And I found it on John Mayer’s blog, through his post titled ‘Meet Isaac’.
Very simply, Isaac is a four year old boy with MPS VI, a rare condition that you can learn more about here. His parents started a foundation to raise awareness about the disease and raise funds for research because the cost of managing the disease is astronomical and there’s currently no cure.
I started clicking around and reading the blog really got to me, I guess because they struck me as so brave and I suddenly felt so… petty to be bothered by my everyday frustrations when other people were thankful just for being alive each day.
It made me wonder, as I do every now and then, if there was a cause for me; if I would find something I would be so passionate about that I would do anything and where I could actually make a difference for other people. It reminded me to look outside of myself to keep my perspective while at the same time look within and appreciate, yet again, how privileged and blessed I am.
If you can, do take a moment to read about Isaac and say a little prayer for him.
Coincidentally, I was asking the same thing for a different Isaac almost exactly a year ago. That Isaac is now completely healthy and celebrated his second birthday last month. Thank God.
No Comments
The last movie star, according to Time
Posted on July 5, 2008, by soph, under Celebrities.
I bugged J for days to lend me this copy of Time magazine, until he mentioned that I should try looking for the story on the web. Silly me for not thinking of this much earlier.
George Clooney: The Last Movie Star
As the office will testify, I love this guy. Working in a celeb-centric environment, we each have our faves and George is mine. He’s to me what… Jennifer Aniston is to Y. Or any of the Victoria Secret models is to the boys. Except I don’t want to sleep with George. Really.
