These Celebs Were Victims Of Cyberbullying And Here Are Their Stories

“There were two occasions when someone using the same Instagram account left comments on my Instagram, saying, “She’s not that good-looking in person” and “She’s trying sooo hard, compared to so-and-so [a celebrity]”. I was upset momentarily, of course. My friends wanted to retaliate on my behalf. But I knew that that was exactly what the ‘bully’ wanted. So we didn’t take any action. My kids do not have social media accounts yet. But I know this is something I’d need to grapple with very soon. These days, the b**** fest happens online. I try to listen very carefully when my kids talk about their friends, and watch their moods too. Since I spend a fair bit of time with them every day, I know when their mood changes.”

“Cyberbullying happens a lot and very often to me. For example, people online would [say mean things] about my nationality or image. There are even nastier ones, like about my relationship [with Felicia Chin]. Of course, I remember what they said, but it’s really very nasty, so I don’t feel like repeating it. Actually, I realised that the Internet is very strange. People like to see negative news, not positive news. When Felicia and I had not yet gone public with our romance, everyone was guessing and very interested in whether we were dating. But once we went public, there were a lot of people who didn’t give us their blessings. They would say that we’re being too romantic, or that we’re so fake. I feel that if I were to reply to those comments, or get upset about them, I’m being very immature. So I just let them be. Now, I don’t even bother reading online comments about myself anymore.”

“I was a victim of cyberbullying when I was a kid. Back then, I was fat, and my schoolmates used to mock me and call me nasty names like ‘fatso’ on Friendster and mIRC (Internet Relay Chat). They would say things like my uniform looked like it was bursting even though it’s tailor-made and that I had no friends ’cos I’d eat up everyone’s food. (Laughs) I was 105kg back then and I’d break a chair every school semester [from sitting on them]. But those bad experiences spurred me on to work harder, go into sports, and eventually, become a model! In the same way, I channel all the online criticism about my acting into positive strength and aim to do better in my future projects! And I really thank [those bullies] for motivating me, so that I can improve myself. Once, I bumped into a bunch of them on the street and I shouted out to them. But they couldn’t recognise me! (Laughs)”

“My Weibo account got hacked earlier this year. One day, I realised I couldn’t log in to my account and I saw that someone had posted a few advertisements for plastic surgery clinics on my Weibo. Luckily, I had linked my account to my mobile, so I could still change the password. I’ve heard of cases where hackers would message friends [of the victims] to borrow money. But I think [the hacker] didn’t have much time to do any other stuff. As for cyberbullying, it’s one of those things you will encounter as a celeb. Two years ago, I was appointed Hardy Hardy ambassador with Fann Wong. And there was this person who would leave very nasty comments like ‘You’re not worthy to be an ambassador with Ah Jie.’ But I think I’m considered lucky. I think females celebs are more vulnerable to cyberbullying. They get comments like ‘You only have nice body, but don’t have any brain’ — you know, such disgusting remarks.”

“I was cyberbullied when I was in primary school. Back then, Friendster was quite ‘in’. And some of my schoolmates posted a lot of mean stuff and vulgarities on my page. I was confused as to why they were attacking me — maybe ’cos I said or did something by accident. But there were also people who sent encouraging messages and stood by my side ’cos those girls were really being very mean. I told my parents about it. But we decided to let it go ’cos it was a very small matter. But if it were to happen now, I’d confront the person. As a public figure now, I get people saying all kinds of things on my social media. Like... I’m not exactly very voluptuous. (Laughs) So some people would say that my chest is flat. But I just ignore them ’cos I feel that as an artiste, it’s not right to fight back lah. (Laughs)”