Charmaine Sheh Called “Ungrateful” After Saying She Didn’t Enjoy Being On A Chinese Reality Show That Had Cameras Trained On Her 24/7

After spending the last couple of years working in China, Charmaine Sheh, 47, recently returned to Hong Kong to star in the new TVB drama The Queen of News (新闻女王). Many of her fans back home were excited for her return, and couldn’t wait to see her on screen again.

During her recent appearance on Carol Cheng’s radio talk show When I Was Young (口水多过浪花), Charmaine spoke about her experience filming a reality show in China, and revealed that she “couldn’t get used to” the way things were there. 

According to the actress, at least 30 cameras were rolling for 24 hours straight during the filming of the reality show. 

“[I was] not used to it, I don’t know how they managed to fit 30 cameras in the space, but [I] had to appear natural, as though no one was watching me, and I didn’t know how to deal with it at all. The filming went on for almost two months, it was so tough. Once, I was changing my clothes and forgot there were cameras present. I immediately told [the production crew] that I was not wearing any pants! Since then, I had to be more alert,” recalled Charmaine. 

“I almost went crazy that time, I don’t think I can be in these types of programmes again, I won’t be able to handle it!” admitted the actress.

Although Charmaine did not name the show that she was on, netizens figured that she was probably referring to the 2020 Chinese reality series Not A Loner, which featured celebs going about their daily lives, in their most natural states and with cameras trained on them 24/7.

Charmaine’s honest thoughts about her filming the show did not sit well with Chinese netizens. 

Following the interview, many netizens have cast doubts on her experience, saying she should have “been mentally prepared before choosing to be on a reality show”.

They also felt that she shouldn’t be “complaining about how tough it was” after “being paid for the job”. 

“She returned to Hong Kong to complain after earning enough money in China,” wrote one netizen. Others also slammed her for being “ungrateful”. 

Charmaine’s fans on the other hand, spoke up in her defense, saying that her interview was “taken out of context”.

Photos: PBE Media, Sohu, Charmaine Sheh Fans Club/ Facebook

You can catch Charmaine in hit historical drama series Story of Yanxi Palace on meWATCH, or watch it below.