When we ask Jacelyn if playing Dongfang Bubai was the most memorable role of her career (why else would she have a pic of the character displayed in her home, right?), the star, to our surprise, revealed that the photo was actually an oil painting gifted to her from a long-time fan who had passed away from cancer.

“This is a painting from a fan who gave it to me many years ago. She wrote me a very sweet letter too,” the 45-year-old star tells us. “Years later, she passed away. So this painting isn’t about how much I love the role, but about my fan's heart and her love for me. I still have the letter.”

Jacelyn's late fan was known as Mdm Ng, and in her note, which was written in 2002, she revealed that she had been a huge supporter of Jacelyn’s ever since the actress was crowned the female champ of Star Search in 1995. 

She then wrote about her brief encounter with Jacelyn whom she came actress while the star was “waiting for someone who was praying at the Kuan Yin temple” at Waterloo Street. 

Mdm Ng also explained more about the oil painting. She had come across the artwork while touring Fujian, China at the end of 2000 and decided to buy it. 

“I bought it for $6,000 and had it transported back to Singapore to present to you,” wrote Mdm Ng. “I meant to present this painting to you while you [were] going through your financial situation (Ed: Jacelyn declared bankruptcy in 2000 after owing $300,000 to a stockbroking company and was discharged from it in 2004) but I received no response from Mediacorp.”

Mdm Ng then wrote about how she had been "in and out of hospital" and how since she was well already, she made it a point to deliver the painting to Jacelyn. She eventually got hold of Jacelyn’s manager, who gave her directions on how to deliver the gift to the star. 

Mdm Ng went on to reveal that even though she had many friends who offered “a very high price” for the painting, she still chose to “present it to [Jacelyn] for [her] keeping”. 

As if the gesture wasn’t enough, Mdm Ng even wanted to make a customised frame. 

“I wanted to frame the painting for you but the frame maker asked me what type of furniture you have in your house. He said that the frame makes a lot of difference to the painting. Therefore, I have to leave the framing to you to match your furnishings,” she wrote.

Mdm Ng went on to express her gratitude towards Mediacorp for giving Jacelyn “a lot of support” and said that she was “fated to like [Jacelyn]” as the actress always appeared on screen whenever she turned the TV on. 

She then ended the letter by wishing Jacelyn "all the best" in her career, which she hoped would be filled with lots of "opportunities and awards". "I always phoned in to support you for the Star Awards," she added. 

You can read Mdm Ng's letter below:

Sadly, Mdm Ng passed away “one or two years” after Jacelyn received the painting, but not before the pair met in person. 

“She was in my fan club. Then, she was already in her 50s,” Jacelyn told 8days.sg. “Actually, I wanted to write something about this painting to honour her. Just nice, I can post yours to keep as a memory.”

It’s our honour, Jace. 

Photos: Jacelyn Tay 

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