Terence Cao’s 15-Yr-Old Daughter Lives In Shanghai; Won’t Be Moving To SG For A Very Practical Reason

Former Mediacorp actor-turned-live-streamer Terence Cao, 57, recently opened up about fatherhood, his side gigs and acting career on Allan Wu’s Call Us Daddy podcast.

Back in 2012, Terence made headlines after Shi, a woman from Shanghai, claimed the actor was the father of her then-20-month-old daughter, Shi En. 

After a DNA test, Terence publicly acknowledged his daughter, but only remained friends with his baby mama.

When asked by Allan about his relationship with his daughter Shi En, now 15 years old, as well as the girl’s mum, Shi, Terence said: “I wasn’t prepared to be a dad. I was an accidental dad. [I’m] grateful for all that had happened, grateful for my daughter, grateful for the whole journey.”

Terence recalls how he'd met her: “I met a lady, a very very decent lady from China. I was in China, and through a friend’s recommendation, we got to know each other.”

According to Shi, she had met Terence in 2010 at a party, and had a one-night stand with him.

He then gave a PG-friendly version of the story for the benefit of kids who may be watching Allan's podcast, saying: “I got to know her, then she got my baby. But the pleasant surprise was that she only surprised me after she got pregnant.

"It was a total shock to me, ‘Oh in my career right now, I need a baby? We’re not even married.’ So [then came] the whole saga about whether the baby is mine or not.”

When Allan asked about his decision to keep the baby, Terence revealed that abortion was not an option as it is “against his religion”.

“As long as it is my baby, I’ll keep the baby,” said Terence. He added that although it was not how he planned to become a father, it was bestowed upon him by a “higher power”.

Terence basically “learnt” to be a dad along the way, and said he has a “cordial relationship” with Shi En's mum now.

He also maintains a good relationship with his daughter Shi En, and revealed that she had just left Singapore two days prior to his chat with Allan. Shi En and her mum were in town, and had also visited Terence’s parents.

Terence says he and Shi are very focused on raising their daughter well, and giving her a decent education.

Though he admits his parents wish to see Shi En more often, the young girl is very busy with her studies in China.

“Kids in China don’t have time. They study at least 10 hours a day, not like Singapore. Everyone is so competitive, they have so much homework, so they only rest one or two days a week and that’s it. They have full days of school, morning until night. Kids in Singapore sleep at nine. [In China], they’re still scribbling homework at midnight,” he said.

Revealing Shi En doesn’t speak as much English as he wants her to, Terence also confessed he never considered having the teen stay with him in Singapore.

“I visit them in Shanghai, and they have a beautiful environment for learning. The pace [of learning is faster there]. Right now, they’re learning AI from primary school. So for me, as a dad, I want what’s best for [my] daughter. They have better offerings for her over there,” he added.

Terence also believes it is important for Shi En, who is of Chinese nationality, to be closer to her roots.

“They are Chinese in Shanghai, her roots are very important. For kids especially, she should be rooted to where her mum is,” said Terence, who also admits Shi En is aware of who he is and what he does in Singapore.

When asked about how he wants to be remembered by his daughter, Terence simply said with a smile: “A happy man. I want her to remember me being happy. That’s all.”