Humble Beginnings.

After 25 years in front of the camera as a globe-trotting, celebrity-interviewing MTV VJ, a reality TV host and actress, it’s natural that I am now as comfortable speaking to large live audiences as I am with personal heart-to-heart convos.

But if you think I was born confident or eloquent, you would be wrong.

The truth is, I was born into humble, at times traumatic, circumstances. Far from being confident, I grew up with a lonely orphan’s heart, battling brittle anxiety and fighting low self-esteem.

What happened in the gap between broken child to assured adult? How did dejected hopelessness turn into a pursuit of passion and a fulfilment of dreams?

This is what I believe and I long to share: Humble beginnings don’t determine horizons. Failures don’t limit the future. We have more joy to give than we realize.

Moments of Significance

My favourite childhood pic: In a polaroid taken at my grandma’s one-room flat, I was with my elder siblings and cousin. Life was simple and sweet — I was sporting my favourite white rabbit t-shirt and a flattened paper ball hat. We were poor but our hearts were full.
The most life-altering education I’ve received: Travelling around the world for the past decade, connecting with inspiring people and sharing their poignant life stories.
My very first “Larger than Life” humanitarian holiday in 2018: Brought a group of Singapore travellers to Ban Nam Khem, one of Thailand’s worst hit areas after the 2004 tsunami, to do community work.
Three short but significant years with my rescued baby, Man Man. After nursing her back to health, I lost her to a sudden illness. It was devastating, but the journey also taught me to love wholeheartedly, give selflessly and cherish all life to the fullest.
This moment was surreal. Finally, I was in a white gown for pre-wedding photos — not for a drama series this time, but for real. It was totally worth the wait!
The first commercial shoot with my husband, who was an absolute natural in front of the camera! During the shoot, he whispered: “I am natural and comfortable because I am with you.” Awww ❤️
Getting a double nomination in the “Best Info-ed host” category for two of my travel series in 2009 was already a huge encouragement. Receiving my very first professional award in the same year felt like a dream – literally, because I was heavily jet lagged from globetrotting! Haha!

Humble Beginnings.

Moments of Significance

My favourite childhood pic: In a polaroid taken at my grandma’s one-room flat, I was with my elder siblings and cousin. Life was simple and sweet — I was sporting my favourite white rabbit t-shirt and a flattened paper ball hat. We were poor but our hearts were full.

The most life-altering education I’ve received: Travelling around the world for the past decade, connecting with inspiring people and sharing their poignant life stories.

My very first “Larger than Life” humanitarian holiday in 2018: Brought a group of Singapore travellers to Ban Nam Khem, one of Thailand’s worst hit areas after the 2004 tsunami, to do community work.

Three short but significant years with my rescued baby, Man Man. After nursing her back to health, I lost her to a sudden illness. It was devastating, but the journey also taught me to love wholeheartedly, give selflessly and cherish all life to the fullest.

This moment was surreal. Finally, I was in a white gown for pre-wedding photos — not for a drama series this time, but for real. It was totally worth the wait!

The first commercial shoot with my husband, who was an absolute natural in front of the camera! During the shoot, he whispered: “I am natural and comfortable because I am with you.” Awww ❤️

Getting a double nomination in the “Best Info-ed host” category for two of my travel series in 2009 was already a huge encouragement. Receiving my very first professional award in the same year felt like a dream – literally, because I was heavily jet lagged from globetrotting! Haha!