You once got into deep debt after a failed country club venture, and fell into gambling addiction. Do you still play blackjack and mahjong during Chinese New Year now?
It’s okay if I’m playing for fun. It’s the festive season after all, and such games are for family bonding. I don’t take things so seriously! People fall into gambling addiction ’cos they have other problems in their lives. I was in heavy debt at that time, and gambling seemed like the fastest way to earn money to pay off my debts. It’s very easy to spiral out of control like that. It’s like I’m using a small knife to hack at a big tree. Even before I fell that tree, I already ‘collapse’ from exhaustion. I was only gambling with my own luck. When I lost money, I assumed it was something supernatural that was kacau-ing (Malay for disturbing) me.
How did you overcome your addiction?
I had a few benefactors by my side who convinced me to stop gambling. The aunties who asked to take photos with me just now? They were my supporters who were willing to give me another chance to do good, even though [it was public knowledge that] I had gone astray.
But most people only see you as the infallible Ah Ge. Did you feel like you had to hide your struggles back then?
I put on a strong front, so most people didn’t know what I was going through. I tong (Hokkien for ‘persevered’) till I couldn’t tong anymore. It was really hard. But it was good experience for my future roles. My acting would be convincing, ’cos I really went through all of that. Maybe God wanted me to experience hardship to make me a better actor. Who knows? This is why I openly share about my past gambling problems with people, so that I can help them. I recently did an anti-scamming ad for the Singapore Police Force, and I’m also doing an ad for anti-gambling, and another ad for the traffic police. I’m playing the good guy now! It can be stressful. You have to be on your best behaviour all the time (laughs).
You bounced back and live in a nice semi-detached house at Holland Village now.
It wasn’t easy getting here. It took me three years to clear my debts, which were over $2 million. I worked for 18 hours every day without fail. I took on all kinds of jobs and did everything, even calefare roles and props. I worked on big productions in Malaysia and ang moh projects in Hollywood, where I could be anyone and anything. [As an extra], you only need to say, “Hello, goodbye and thank you”. I’d work on sets for a few weeks, take my pay and go. Just like that.
Which Hollywood films did you work on?
(Pauses) I cannot say. There are non-disclosure agreements. I worked in the props department for Hollywood productions, and some calefare roles which required shots of a hand, or body. They were looking for someone with acting experience, and I had done all kinds of action roles. So I became that guy in the show who opens a door, asks, “Who are you looking for?” and bam! Gets shot in the face and dies. That role got me US$300. When the director tells me to flip, I just flip. One flip is worth several hundred US dollars, you know? Even if you’re a non-speaking calefare just walking past the camera, you’d receive US$150. I stayed on set to see what kind of help the production team needed, and I can earn up to US$1,000 a day.
Did you find those jobs demeaning, considering that you’re an A-lister in Singapore?
I only wanted to clear my debts. I let go of my ego. When you are in that situation where I was, it’s like falling to the ground from 18 floors. Boom, you’re nobody now. Some people who recognised me did gossip behind my back, but that’s not important to me.
Were you worried about the public finding out that you were working as an extra overseas?
Of course! At first I was very paiseh. I was like, “Don’t want lah, I don’t want those roles.” I’d tell the cameraman to only film my side profile (laughs). But gradually it didn’t matter anymore. As the older generations would say: “Kan po hong chen (a Chinese proverb that means ‘overcoming materialism’).”
Do you live alone now?
Yes. It’s a big house, but you have to pamper yourself and enjoy your time at home.
You were divorced in 2005. As a famous person, do you find it harder to go on dates?
I don’t give myself that kind of pressure. After all that I’ve been through, committing to a person is a huge responsibility. I have to take it seriously. You guys said I [look] young, so I am still waiting for the right person to come by lor (laughs). I don’t have a set of criteria for a partner, but she must have a good heart. I believe if it’s meant to be, you can’t resist fate no matter what.
You mentioned you didn’t want kids in an interview last year for your Ch 8 drama My Teacher is a Thug. What would make you change your mind?
I don’t know. Let things happen naturally lah. Maybe when I eventually commit to someone, I’d suddenly think, “Hey, I’d like to start a family.” In the past I planned my life too much — I set goals that I have to achieve, like retire at a certain age. But all that is not important to me now. I just live to be happy. I don’t think about marriage either. I’ve no time! I’m only focusing on my projects for now. But some aunties at the market try to matchmake me with their daughters. They tell me, “My daughter is still single leh. She’s a university graduate, you want?” That’s when I’d try to escape the conversation. Zao ah! (Hokkien for ‘run’). Cannot lah, it’s too direct of them. It’s just like being in the kampong days!
PHOTOS: EALBERT HO
ART DIRECTION: PYRON TAN
STYLING: JEROME AWASTHI
STYLIST’S ASSISTANT: NADIAH RAHMAN
HAIR: MARTIN IP/ KIM ROBINSON SINGAPORE
MAKEUP: DOLLEI SEAH USING YSL BEAUTÉ