As for future plans, Marcus said he recently got accepted for the part of a drunkard in a new Channel 8 drama Happy Family opposite Rui En, who will play his long-lost daughter.

Filming is on till the end of this month.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper, 全家福

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Labels: The New Paper, 七公主 7 Princesses

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Actors take off clothes for the love of a woman and dancing in drama

By Charlene Chua
February 06, 2009

WHEN it comes to stripping on TV dramas, it's usually the babes who get the attention.

Think Fiona Xie, Joanne Peh and Jeanette Aw in The Champion and Beach.Ball.Babes.

But in the new Channel 8 series The Dream-catchers, it's the guys who are taking off their clothes.

In the show, which began telecasting at 9pm yesterday, actors Shaun Chen, Elvin Ng and Nat Ho go topless in several scenes.

The Dream-catchers is about the lives, loves and careers of four engineers. It also stars Rui En, Tay Ping Hui, Jesseca Liu and Dawn Yeoh.

Shaun, 31, and Elvin, 29, play engineers who fall for Rui En's character, who enjoys painting nudes.

So both of them strip off to become her models.

Said Rui En: 'It's a really refreshing idea to have the men stripping in a show, instead of women!'

In one scene, Shaun's character steps up when the nude model doesn't turn up, and he has to pose in a pair of black briefs in front of an art class.

Said Shaun: 'I was very nervous. It was in front of the film crew and extras, and although the air conditioning was turned on, I still felt very warm and flushed.

'Everyone was staring and I didn't know what they were thinking!'

Elvin, on the other hand, had to strip down to his pants and there were fewer gawkers on set.

But unlike Shaun's scene, which was shot indoors, his scene takes place in Japan, as Elvin's character has to fly there to attend an engineering course.

While sight-seeing, Rui En's character teasingly asks him if she could paint him in the nude, and he takes off his shirt in the open.

The scene was shot in the middle of winter - in -2° - with a blanket of snow. Said Elvin: 'I was shivering a lot. But I wasn't self-conscious at all. I just felt lucky that I didn't have to jump into icy-cold water.'

Still, Shaun and Elvin's experiences pale in comparison with what Nat had to go through.

The 25-year-old plays an aspiring dancer and in one scene, he has to do a 'catwalk show' to earn some quick cash for dance lessons.

The scene was shot in the afternoon on a raised stage in front of Novena Square, in full view of the public, and Nat was wearing only a pair of red briefs.

He said: 'Let's just say it was the longest day of my life! I was embarrassed as a lot of passers-by were gawking and taking videos with their phones.

'As I only had underwear and boots on, I felt like a stripper!'

To shape up for their roles, the actors admitted they hit the gym and even popped pills.

Elvin, who used to model, said he's always been a gym bunny and believes it has helped in developing his physique. He said: 'Hitting the gym regularly helps a lot as you won't be able to see results if you only train last minute.'

As for Shaun, his quest for perfect abdominals was a last-minute effort. He said with a chuckle: 'I started going to the gym and playing badminton three times a week. At least I managed to get four 'packs' in the end!'

Nat, who didn't have 'the luxury of time to go to the gym', relied on detox pills to make him look 'less bloated'. He would even do push-up exercises on the set of the show so that he would 'look toned' when the filming began.

So of the three hunks, who has the best body?

Shaun and Nat immediately voted for Elvin, but when we asked him, he laughed it off.

Elvin said: 'We all have different body types so you really can't compare us like that.'

But the three actors all agreed on one thing - that their topless scenes were done tastefully and they wouldn't mind doing it again.

This is the first time that Shaun is doing such a scene. Nat has gone topless once before, two years ago, in Honour And Passion but it was just a swimming scene with 'no spectators present'.

Elvin confessed that he's had a topless scene in almost every drama that he has filmed - he frolicked in a bathtub with Jesseca in Kinship and played beach volleyball with Joanne in A Life Of Hope.

Said Shaun: 'As an actor, you do what you have to do. If there was a role in the future which required me to go completely nude, I would consider it if the role was worth it.'

Bigger selling point

Elvin however thinks that their scenes shouldn't be such a big deal.

He said: 'A single semi-nude woman on screen would 'beat' three semi-nude men on screen. The woman would definitely be a bigger selling point.'

So what did their family and friends think of their topless scenes?

Shaun, who is marrying actress Michelle Chia in May, confessed that his fiance was 'very pleased' when she saw the show's trailer.

He said he wouldn't mind if their roles were reversed either - that it was Michelle who had to appear in a sexy bikini on-screen. Said Shaun: 'Michelle looks very good in a bikini. She has such a good figure. Not everyone can pull off bikinis, you know.'

Elvin, however, received startling reactions from his fans who saw the pictures of his scene on the series' Facebook page. He said: 'They posted comments on my Yahoo! group page, saying it was 'cruel' to make me strip in the cold.'

But the show's producer, Yeo Saik Pin, believes that the topless scenes were all 'essential for the development of the plot'.

'Besides, all three of them (Shaun, Elvin and Nat) wanted to show off their bodies so I gave them the chance to do so!'

Source: The Electric New Paper

Labels: The Dream-Catchers, The New Paper

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Rui En has been voted as the Readers' Choice for The New Paper's Flame Awards 2009's "Babe of the Year". Check out today's The New Paper on why she claims she's a Kopitiam girl instead.



Online article from TNP.

Previous article on Rui En's nomination for the Babe of the Year 2009, is available here.

Labels: The New Paper

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Rui En is nominated for "Flame Awards: Who's Your Babe?", on today's The New Paper, page 23.

The voting has ended.

Results would be published on the 27th January 2009's TNP.

Rui En, actress/singer, 28

Claim to F(l)ame: Known as a non-conformist who is fiercely private about her personal life, Rui En made heads turn when she finally dropped her ice-queen exterior and opened up in The Monday Interview series of ST Life! in December.

The Story So Far: The confessional interview turned out to be a surprise.

More so because Rui En has gained a reputation for being cool and nonchalant.

She had been garnering rave reviews over the last two years for her acting, mostly in roles of strong, intense female characters, like a feisty cop in Metamorphosis and a selfless HIV patient in By My Side.

But fans knew little about her. Until the interview.

She spoke about her parents' divorce, her 'periods of delinquency' when she dabbled with cigarettes and alcohol, the insecurity and emptiness that led to her hunger for fame and how she hated herself back then.

And 'what touched me completely was the heartfelt response from readers and fans' after the interview was published.

She said: 'It crossed my mind that I'd be nominated for being honest, so this is something refreshing!

'And of course, it feels great!'

Rui En does not rate her chances of winning Babe of The Year high at all.

'I think this will be The Little Nyonya year,' she said.

We certainly dig her candidness.

Next Change: Rui En stars as a bubbly and spunky aircraft engineer in the upcoming Channel 8 drama series The Dream-catchers, which opens on 4 Feb.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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26 October 2008

UNI HOTTIES


Some of the stars from Singapore’s local universities.

NUS graduates

Jacelyn Tay (former actress, now a spa owner)
Jeanette Aw (actress)
Tay Ping Hui (actor)
Jonathan Leong (Singapore Idol 2006 runner-up)
Adam Chen (actor)

NTU graduates

Joanne Peh (actress)
Stefanie Sun (singer)
Diana Ser (former actress and news presenter, was a Masters student)
Rui En (actress)
Vincy Chan (Hong Kong singer, Project Superstar contestant)

SMU graduates

Jade Seah (actress, model, host, and Miss Singapore Universe 2006 runner-up)
Dawn Yang (the blogger Clapbangkiss)


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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06 September 2008

Singer Hady Mirza gets anxious overswimming scene in debut acting role

sheela@sph.com.sg


HADY Mirza is going topless.

The 27-year-old Singapore Idol 2 winner, who is making his acting debut in the local TV drama Sense Of Home, had to do that for a scene.

He co-stars with actress Debra Teng and child actor Foo Fang Rong (Parental Guidance). They play a Singaporean mother and her 11-year-old music prodigy respectively in this four-episode series about Singaporeans living abroad.

Hady’s episode was shot in Budapest, Hungary, in June. In that particular scene, his character, Haikel, had to take the mother and child to a Budapest swimming pool that was carved out of an ancient Roman bath.

Sense Of Home, which premieres on Channel 5 on 14 Sep at 10pm, also stars Fiona Xie, Edmund Chen, Andrea De Cruz and Rui En, who travelled to countries like New Zealand, Vietnam and China to film the show.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Sense of Home, The New Paper

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23 April 2008

tnppostwoman.com

In her last post, our Postwoman Jeanmarie Tan writes about US TV dance reality show Dancing With The Stars – which pairs celebs like Marie Osmond with professional dancers. The show has become a hit in the US and is now showing here in Singapore. But how about a local version, with our own celebrities?

Would you watch it ?
From Teo Yu Jie
I think a local version would be terrific! It would be nice to see celebrity couples dance, such as Fann Wong dancing with Christopher Lee. Other local stars I would also want to see are Zheng Ge Ping, Lin Xiang Ping, Rui En, Felicia Chin, Jeanette Aw and Gurmit Singh.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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17 December 2007

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes

Kym Ng, Xiang Yun, Vivian Lai, Jesseca Liu, Ivy Lee, Quan Yifeng, Rui En, Felicia Chin, Huang Biren, Michelle Chia


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Star Awards 2007, The New Paper

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STAR AWARDS 2007

Four princesses left behind as veterans sweep popularity poll

weeteck@sph.com.sg

aviswong@sph.com.sg

NOT all princesses are equal. Some are really handmaidens who have been perceived to be princesses because of very good publicity.

And some had the veil of royalty lifted at last night’s Star Awards 2007 at Caldecott Hill TV Theatre.

MediaCorp’s Seven Princesses didn’t make the impact everyone thought they would in the much-watched Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes list.

Only three – Rui En, Felicia Chin and Jesseca Liu – cracked the list of the year’s 10 most popular actresses.

Earlier on, the Chinese press had crowned them and four counterparts – Joanne Peh, Fiona Xie, Dawn Yeoh and Jeanette Aw – as the the next leading ladies of the station, or the Seven Princesses.

The most popular list is determined by telephone votes (50 per cent) and a public survey (50 per cent).

The three that got in were tactful when asked about their wannabe rivals’ defeat.

Rui En, 26, was shocked about the exclusion.

“Everyone of them deserves to be in it. But I guess they would take it in their stride as there’s still a long road ahead.

“Many people have been talking about the seven princesses getting too much exposure and that we will surely win, but the awards results have proven to be the opposite.”

Felicia, 23, said: “I’m very happy I did (get in) but I was surprised not more of us got in.”

She named Jeanette Aw as the biggest shocker.

“It just goes to show that nothing is 100 per cent.”

Jesseca, 28, added: “The results are quite surprising. I’m lucky to be in the Top 10 but I didn’t expect Jeanette and Joanne (Peh) not to be in.”

Former The New Paper New Face 2003 finalist Dawn Yeoh, 20, was another of the seven princesses who crashed out.

She also thought Jeanette was a shoo-in.

Dawn said: “I was seated next to Jeanette and when the presenters said it was someone with a two-word name (Jeanette’s Chinese name is Ou Xuan), I congratulated her.”

It turned out that two-word name was Kym Ng (Zhong Qin).

Dawn sheepishly admitted: “It was a bit awkward at first but Jeanette took it very well.”

On her own chances, Dawn said: “I’m new in this business. I’ll work harder and hopefully get in in the future.”

Jeanette, 28 reasoned: “How would it be possible for (MediaCorp) to allow all seven princesses to be in the Top 10? I’m happy for the three who got in.”

Joanne Peh, 24, said not getting into the Top 10 for a second year running is a motivation.

“It’s something you may wish to have but you won’t necessarily get it. But it doesn’t mean I will give up.

“It’s a motivating factor for me to work hard."

Fiona Xie thought it was “inevitable” that she didn’t get in.

The 25-year-old said: “There are only 10 places and seven princesses plus the other veteran actresses.

“I don’t think this is a good measure of how much talent we have or how much hard work we have put in. It’s only a telephone game.”

The fate of the princesses last night was a subject of discussion among the artistes.

Kym said she didn’t expect to get into the Top 10, “but I was hoping”.

Kym added: “When the presenters were reading the list, I thought ‘already five aunties got in, I sure got no chance’.

“I was so surprised when they called my name.”

She joked: “I wouldn’t be just be disappointed if I didn’t get it, I would be devastated!”

Not getting into the Top 10 is not the end of the world.

Veteran Zoe Tay said: “These girls are under a lot of pressure, so let’s not put them under more stress. They should take not getting in as a push to work harder next year.”

So it was that this year, the young and the restless would have to wait.

Although the nominees for the acting and popularity awards were littered with newcomers, MediaCorp was indicating that veterans were the way to go.

Zheng Geping – a 20-year veteran – won his first Best Actor award; Yvonne Lim – with 10 years experience – took home a much-deserved Best Actress award.

The Best Supporting Actress was May Phua, also a long-time actress. And the experienced Darren Lim was named Best Supporting Actor.

Geping, 43, joked: “I guess at this age, if I don’t get it now, there won’t be many more chances. The others don't have to be afraid as they have more chances in future.”

May, 30, was elated she won.

“After 12 years, I finally made it.”

Labels: Star Awards 2007, The New Paper

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18 September 2007

TVIEW

lianyi@sph.com.sg

METAMORPHOSIS
STARRING: Chen Hanwei, Terence Cao, Rui En, Yvonne Lim, Thomas Ong
SHOWING ON: Channel 8, weekdays, 9pm, starting tonight
RATING: ** ½

IN case you can’t tell from the very large number of gun-pointing and car-leaping in the trailer, the new drama Metamorphosis is all about action.

Woo hoo, right?

I love action. But I don’t expect a local TV production to have Donnie Yen standards of punch ’em ups.

Despite this, I expect some acting, and plot development, which isn’t at all obvious in Metamorphosis, especially its pilot episode, which is simply awful.

CRAMMED

The producers try to cram too much into 45 minutes.

The story – the first of three major arcs – is about how the death of a gang boss leads to in-fighting.

His former henchmen, now battling for the pai kia (Hokkien for bad boy) throne, are being murdered by a mysterious knifeman.

It’s up to CID officer An Xiao Qian (Rui En) and her team, dominated by brutish hothead Ouyang Li (Chen Hanwei) and the thoughtful Di Lun (Terence Cao), to find out what really is happening.

Metamorphosis adopts the shaky cam school of action filmmaking, which is rarely good for extended fight scenes.

The major fight of the pilot episode includes waving coloured fluorescent tubes in a dark alleyway.

Watching it from the perspective of a jittering camera, I thought I was going to get seizures.

The most hilarious part was when the producers set up a motorcycle to skid into some barrels, which resulted in a huge fireball.What was in the barrels? Heated petroleum? TNT?

The best action scenes are the ones that tell a story, guys.

And if you want to have action just for action’s sake, it helps if the audience can actually see what’s happening.

As for the acting? Not much of that, since it mostly consists of actors talking harshly to each other. Huang Yiliang is perfect as a sleazy gangster though.

Fortunately, the second episode gets a lot better, as the focus switches to the story and fleshing out of the characters.The star is undoubtedly Hanwei, who looks like he had fun channelling his inner Ah Beng.

UNCONVINCING

As a loving, friendly and witty psychiatrist, Yvonne Lim is a welcome diversion from the endless gloominess and tough-guy posturing.

Rui En has a bad deal though.

She doesn’t really get to do much other than look angry at people. She also looks a little too slight to be convincing as a leader of men.

So, a pretty poor start for Metamorphosis. On the other hand, there’s a good chance it could get a lot better.

After all, it does take some time for a caterpillar to turn into a butterfly.

WHAT THOSE TICKS MEAN
***** Excellent
**** Good
*** Average
** Mediocre
* Don't bother


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Metamorphosis, The New Paper

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18 September 2007

BALLET isn’t one of the violent arts.

But it comes in pretty handy when you’re shooting fight scenes.

Rui En discovered that in Metamorphosis, where she plays a female cop.

“It really helped with the kicking. I was surprised I could kick so high,” said the 26-year-old actress, who joined a dance group when she was in primary and secondary school.

Metamorphosis marks Rui En’s first action role. She leads a team of men and gets to fire a gun.

Not what you’d usually expect from the typically “girlish” roles she’s used to.

To prepare, she underwent two three-hour long martial arts training sessions.

“I ached for two weeks,” she said.

And although there were “blood, sweat and tears”, she said she loved the experience.

“I had a lot of fun. I think I’m violent... I enjoy kicking things,” she said cheerfully.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Metamorphosis, The New Paper

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21 August 2007

TVIEW

FALLING IN LOVE

lianyi@sph.com.sg

HOW many shows do you need about three siblings who end up getting married together?

I don’t know, but this new Singapore-Malaysia collaboration is another one.

Three sisters, still living with their kindly father (in a role reversal, it’s he who washes the panties in the house), remain unmarried.

If all this sounds familiar, that’s because this is a remake of the 2005 MediaCorp drama You Are The One, which starred Nnadia Chan, Rui En and Jacelyn Tay.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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24 July 2007

LAST year, we heard hardly a peep from Phyllis Quek.

What has she been up to?

Catching up with life, it seems.

Despite being away for so long, Phyllis said she’s not bothered by younger actresses – namely, the Seven Princesses (Jesseca Liu, Felicia Chin, Fiona Xie, Joanne Peh, Jeanette Aw, Dawn Yeoh, Rui En) – who are being touted as the ones to look out for.

“This industry always has a lot of packaging,” she said.

She declined to name who she would tip as the next “Ah Jie” but said things are much harder to predict these days.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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24 July 2007

TView

HONOUR AND PASSION
STARRING: Huang Wenyong, Tay Ping Hui, Bryan Wong, Rui En, Nat Ho, Felicia Chin
SHOWING ON: Channel 8, weekdays, 9pm, starting tonight
RATING: ****

lianyi@sph.com.sg

I DIDN’T quite expect it, but new local series Honour And Passion is a winner.

It’s one of those sponsored shows (by the Singapore Armed Forces this time) and MediaCorp’s record has been pretty hit-and-miss with that.

But it turns out to be a pretty likable drama about National Service.

Plot has never been a strong point with local shows. Plus, it is never easy to judge a story based on the two episodes reviewers get to watch.

So I go with these questions. Is the characterisation good? Is there chemistry between the actors? And do I enjoy the two hours I spend with them?

Yes to all.

Honour And Passion is about a military warrant officer (Huang Wenyong) and his four children (Tay Ping Hui, Bryan Wong, Rui En, Nat Ho).

Ping Hui is a commando officer, Bryan that rare thing, a male with empathy, Rui En a tomboy and Nat an undisciplined runt.

Somehow, for a bunch so good-looking, they are all losers at romance.

There’s also a terrorist subplot in there somewhere.

The most interesting casting choice is Felicia Chin as an artillery instructor. I’ve never seen a female soldier that hot in real life.

Women everywhere should ask what sunblock her character Ouyang Peipei uses, because nobody exposed to that much sun remains that pink-cheeked and snowy white.

A truly ludicrous introduction is when one student whispers to another: “I don’t even know if anybody would want her.”

I know that’s supposed to play on the (unfair) stereotype that military women are butchy, but come on.

Still, I guess her casting works in the sense that the part of the brain that says “that’s unbelievable” is quickly overpowered by the part that says “that’s unbelievably hot”.

It might have something to do with me and uniforms though.

That said, it is the other female lead, Rui En, who steals the show.

Her character – tomboyish yet vulnerable, with a tremendously low tolerance for alcohol – is by far the most interesting.

As an actress, Rui En has always seemed a bit standoffish, but her character gets so much grief in the first two episodes that she is easy to relate to. Even lovable!

I am looking forward to her character’s interactions with Pierre Png’s. They make quite the amusing pair.

CLEVER TWIST

Their meeting is pretty stereotypical (I don’t know how many MediaCorp drama serials has had boy crash into girl, get angry with each other, eventually become lovers) but the twist – she has no idea that Pierre hates her – is clever.

WHAT THOSE TICKS MEAN
***** Excellent
**** Good
*** Average
** Mediocre
* Don't bother


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Honour and Passion, The New Paper

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02 June 2007

Yes, say more than half of S’poreans in straw poll of 100

tnp@sph.com.sg

HOW much are Singaporeans willing to fork out to kiss a celebrity?

Up to $100,000, it seems – for a smooch with local actor Adrian Pang.

At least, that’s the highest figure quoted by a Singaporean in our random poll of 100 – never mind that she’s a student and doesn’t actually have the money.

She says she would definitely cough up the sum if she could afford it.

The New Paper polled 50men and 50 women, aged between 16 and 35, to find out if Singaporeans would do the same.

While those we spoke to weren’t so generous – the highest figure quoted was $100,000 – more than half (64 per cent) said they would be quite happy to cough up some cash to kiss their favourite celebrity.

The rest, however, said they would rather give the money to a charity instead.

And whose lips scored?

The top five celebrities for women were Adrian Pang, James Lye, Tay Ping Hui, Pierre Png and Elvin Ng.

For the men, it was Fiona Xie, Felicia Chin, Fann Wong, Denise Keller and Rui En.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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16 May 2007

honjy@sph.com.sg

WHEN does one plus one not equal to two?

In showbiz, it seems. Hey, we don’t mean that people can’t count. But take this case for instance.

Felicia Chin is Tay Ping Hui’s type. Ping Hui is also Felicia’s cup of tea.

But no, the MediaCorp artistes are not an item – not yet, at least.

But you would not have guessed from the way they gazed lovingly at each other on the set of new local drama Honour And Passion.

The first-time screen couple chatted, teased and made faces at each other even after the director shouted, “Cut!”.

They were filming a wedding scene alongside three other pairs – Bryan Wong and Dawn Yeoh, Rui En and Pierre Png, Huang Wenyong and Hong Huifang – for their new show which debuts in July.

Honour And Passion revolves around the lives of soldier and single father (Wenyong) and his four children (Ping Hui, Bryan, Rui En and newcomer Nat Ho).

Filming the wedding scene also brought out different sentiments about the artistes’ notions of their ideal weddings.

For instance, Rui En proclaimed that she would “elope in a T-shirt, shorts and slippers”.

She cried: “I’m not going to wear a wedding gown. I think acting has taken the surprise away from me.

“Wedding gowns are just itchy and uncomfortable.”

The 25-year-old actress is, however, comfortable with her on-screen husband Pierre Png.

“He’s such a joker. He’s intentionally and unintentionally so.”

“I’ve had to learn how to control my laughter because he keeps making me laugh,” said Rui En.

But those two weren’t the only reel lovebirds having fun.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Honour and Passion, The New Paper

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28 March 2007

WENDY TEO rates the clutch of young TV actresses dubbed the ‘Seven Princesses’

DAZZLING!

RUI EN, 26

DESPITE being effectively bilingual and appearing on both Channel 5 and 8 with shows like Achar, A Promise For Tomorrow and You Are The One, Rui En has yet to hit the big time.

Her only upcoming project is a 20-episode Mindef-commissioned drama later this year.

Apparently, her low-key nature is to blame.

She admitted in a previous interview: “I hardly go out, because I don’t have that many friends. Maybe because I'm an only child, I’m happy with my own company most of the time.”

An experienced TV executive had this to say about Rui En: “She’s a good actress, very natural, but she’s very cold. It’s hard for the audience to relate to (her)...”

But hairstylist to the stars Addy Lee defended Rui En, saying: “She has the airs of a star. Some people say it’s arrogance, but that’s because she doesn’t smile enough. When Rui En opens her mouth, she’s actually very friendly.”

Perhaps Rui En should learn to play the PR game. One powerful figure told this reporter huffily: “I no longer use her in my shows. Why? Rui En herself knows.”

Verdict: Oops, where’s the switch?


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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18 March 2007

paikchoo@sph.com.sg

THE Bold, the Beautiful, and the Black.

Just three of five events Glitz Gal's working heels could stomp last Friday evening.

The beautiful were at Olay, the black at Samsonite and the bold at an agenda-less old Hollywood glamour party.

Par-taying season has sprung - not for nothing is March the mad hatter's tea party - and if you got five e-mails or SMSs to be in several places at the same time last Friday, wah, you know you count! (Among the bold, the beautiful and the black at least.)

Olay introduced its third face for its trio of products in, naturally, the Fashion Cafe in Clarke Quay.

Celia Teh, '90s catwalk and cover girl model, joins singer Rui En and VJ Denise Keller to represent three ages - oh, sorry, make that three skin types.

Celia is Regenerist (over-35) while Rui En is White Radiance and Denise, Total Effects, both under-30.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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02 February 2007

Joanne cheekily pointed out that Elvin has been lucky to have starred with MediaCorp's so-called 'seven princesses' - herself, Fiona and Jesseca, as well as Jeanette Aw, Dawn Yeoh, Felicia Chin and Rui En.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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13 January 2007

tanyhi@sph.com.sg

HOW popular will I be?

That may be a question that many celebrities obsess about.

But when I asked local actress-singer Rui En to rate her own popularity, her eyes widened.

Said the 24-year-old starlet: 'Is that a trick question? No, I don't think about things like that.'

'Can you imagine if I spent all my time at home wondering if I was as popular as Bono?'

That may be the case now, but it wasn't when she started out.

'I've said it before - I went into show business for all the wrong reasons,' she said.

'I wanted to be famous, popular and rich. When I first started out, I was very starry-eyed. All I was concerned about was popularity polls and all that voting stuff.'

Her perspective changed two years ago.

'When you are focusing on so many things like that and not the things that you should be focused on, you get worn out, jaded and bitter,' she said.'

Now, I just want to learn more about acting, music and directing - I have an interest in all these things.

'NO DANCE OF FAKENESS'

The former Raffles JC student is well aware that she has been accused of being aloof by some critics.

She said: 'I've never been very good at PR-ing' (doing public relations). Sometimes, to do that, you have to say a lot of hollow and empty things to other people who do likewise. It's a dance of fakeness.

'People tend to think that I'm cold, but that is because they don't know how to categorise me.'

But being true to herself doesn't mean she has abandoned the concept of celebrity entirely.

There is still power in being in the limelight.

Along with 13 other local personalities, Rui En has lent her face and personality to Motorola's Red project.

In Moto Red, every purchase of a special red edition Motorola phone results in a $26 contribution to the Global Fund, which in turns helps the Aids-afflicted in Africa.

The Aids/HIV situation in the cradle of civilisation is at a critical level.Each day, more than 2,000 children in Africa are infected with the HIV virus, joining the 25 million people already infected.

In addition, 5,500 people die of Aids/HIV every day, adding rapidly to the death toll of 18 million in Africa so far.

Said Rui En: 'I heard about the Red campaign when I saw some Gap ads in the US. I didn't really understand what it was about until I saw Oprah Winfrey getting involved. Oprah's my idol and I started to read up more about the project.'

One idol inspiring another?

How apt, since Moto Red banks on celebrity power and consumerism to drive Aids relief efforts.

IS RETAIL RELIEF RIGHT?

The umbrella Project Red campaign uses brands like Apple, American Express and Converse, as well as celebrities like Bono and Kanye West, to shout the message across retail counters.

But isn't the public weary of countless celebrity endorsements?

And is it right to promote consumerism in a society already too caught up with material trappings?

Said Rui En: 'Both celebrity power and consumerism are not going to go away, so you might as well make use of them for a good cause and not for some shallow purpose.

'I believe using celebrities to endorse a product is the only way if you want to have the media presence you need.'

As for consumerism, she believes that the benefits of Moto Red far outweigh any negative side-effects like the promotion of wanton spending.

'We are being bombarded by so many things all the time - Internet, YouTube, advertisements... people are numb to the traditional methods of raising funds. This is really a radical new way of helping those afflicted with Aids. And if people want to be caught up in consumerism, it's their choice.'

What does worry her, though, is the detachment people have towards Aids/HIV in general.

'We have to realise that Aids isn't a problem just in Third World countries, but here as well. I do hope our youth don't grow up thinking that it won't happen to them, but only to people elsewhere.'

Moto Red phones may be purchased at any StarHub or M1 shop.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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11 December 2006

STAR AWARDS 2006

There were brave smiles and sunken hearts, but thankfully no tears as hot faves were left in the cold at last night's awards. WENDY TEO, HO LIAN-YI and YEOH WEE TECK report

WINNERS

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes: Rui En, Kym Ng, Xiang Yun, Quan Yifeng, Jesseca Liu, Huang Biren, Michelle Chia, Jeanette Aw, Felicia Chin, Fiona Xie


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Star Awards 2006, The New Paper

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06 December 2006

Their chiselled good looks and talent have driven fans to distraction, but who managed to sweep them off their feet? JEANMARIE TAN, HO LIAN-YI and STEPHANIE CONCEICAO report on this year's crop of male idols

Dude of the year

The nominees

3 ELVIN NG

YOU know a newcomer is hot when he's too busy to talk about his nomination for Dude Of The Year.

But he really turned heads this year in the Channel 8 idol drama Love @ 0 Degrees along with Rui En, Felicia Chin, Michelle Saram and Julian Hee.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Love at Zero Degrees, The New Paper

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03 December 2006

tanyhi@sph.com.sg

YOU might have felt cynical about tapping celebrities to brandish branded goods.

But what if there was a good cause behind the brandishing?

Celebrity power is being harnessed not only to boost up sales, but to assist in the fight against Aids in Africa.

Motorola's Moto Red project has recruited a small army of 14 local personalities to become Moto Red ambassadors and help promote Motorola's upcoming red-coloured handphones.

Their message: If you buy a red Motorola Razr from M1 or StarHub in the coming weeks, US$17 ($26) from the proceeds will go directly to the Global Fund which helps Aids patients in Africa. US$17 is enough to buy medicine to keep an Aids patient alive for a year.

The local ambassadors - including Eunice Olsen, Rui En, Adam Chen, Jean Danker, Russell Wong, Singapore idol runner-up Jonathan Leong and national shuttler Ronald Susilo - will tell you upfront that the project is no act of philanthropy.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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28 August 2006

Up-and-coming TV idol Elvin Ng says sudden exposure left him reeling - for a while

jtay@sph.com.sg

TWO years ago, he was a nameless, low-profile undergraduate, making his way alone from one lecture to another at the National University of Singapore.

Today, the 25-year-old fresh English literature honours graduate is touted as one of MediaCorp's hottest male talents.

Since starring in the Channel 8 idol drama Love @ 0 Degrees alongside Rui En, Felicia Chin, Michelle Saram and Julian Hee, hunky actor Elvin Ng's local fan base has swelled.

In less than a year, it has grown from 300 members to over 800 now.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Love at Zero Degrees, The New Paper

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26 July 2006

SINGING the National Day Parade theme song has become an honour local singers covet.

But the star element was introduced only in 1998, when Kit Chan became the first local singer to sing Dick Lee's heartwarming tune, Home.

But nothing approaches the glory of performing in front of a 60,000-strong crowd celebrating the nation's birthday.

Here's a look at who has done the honours:

1998: Home by Kit Chan.

1999: Together by Evelyn Tan & Dreamz FM. The music video was shot by famed Hong Kong director Tsui Hark who captured our multi-racial harmony.

2000: Shine On Me by Jai (English version) and Mavis Hee (Mandarin).

2001: Where I Belong, composed and performed by Tanya Chua.

2002: We Will Get There by Stefanie Sun.

2003: One United People by Stefanie.

2004: Home by JJ Lin and Kit.

2005: Reach Out For The Skies by Taufik Batisah & Rui En.

2006: My Island Home by Kaira Gong.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: NDP 2005, The New Paper

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12 July 2006

TView

STARRING: Rui En, Julian Hee, Michelle Saram
SHOWING ON: Channel 8, weekdays at 9pm
RATING: ****

Love @ 0 deg C
teowyw@sph.com.sg

I AM not sure why Channel 8 chose to brand Love @ 0 deg C as an idol drama.

It's quite a gross injustice to their own product, I must say.

Especially since idol dramas now have such a bad rep for having mindless fluff and terrible acting - in particular those from a certain Asian country that churns them out by the dozen.

Love @ 0 deg C stars Rui En as Yixin, a fashion design student so poor, she cannot even afford her own creations.

She and sidekick Xiaoling (Felicia Chin) harbour dreams of marrying a rich man and enjoying a life of happily-ever-after.

While at a posh party to snag a rich husband, Yixin keeps crossing swords with arrogant playboy Guobin (Julian Hee), who ends up being her boss when he hires her as a cleaner for his new dessert shop.

When Guobin breaks up with his wilful girlfriend Qiao Anna (Michelle Saram), Yixin cheers him up and they fall in love.

But when Anna is blinded in an accident, Guobin decides it's his duty to take care of her.

Love @ 0 deg C may be based on a formula targeted at the teen market.

But what makes the show bearable is that it doesn't play cute.

After all, you can hardly expect to get away with it when your cast has a median age of 25.

Instead, the likeability of Love @ 0 deg C lies in the charm of its lead, Rui En.

The feistiness she injects into her character, and her unaffected performances will make you warm up to her instantly.

WHAT THOSE TICKS MEAN
***** Excellent
**** Good
*** Average
** Mediocre
* Don't bother


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Love at Zero Degrees, The New Paper

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04 July 2006

IS Rui En, 24, ageing before her time?

The pretty actress may not look it, but 'an old woman' was how she described herself recently.

Speaking at the Love @ 0 deg C press conference, Rui En said she is unlike the sporty character she usually plays in dramas.

'I am like an old woman, I like to stay at home to read, or go on the Net. I hardly go out, because I don't have that many friends. I have only a few close ones. Maybe because I'm an only child, I'm happy with my own company most of the time.'

Her idea of unwinding is to go for long drives.

But the good news is, Rui En is not into looks: 'I don't like good lookers, I am not into having a trophy boyfriend by my side.'

So, were her previous boyfriends ugly? Rui En said: 'I'm not answering that question!'


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Love at Zero Degrees, The New Paper

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11 February 2006

ALL Kelvin Tan Weilian wants is... to sing.

The only thing he was not okay with was acting, and he made no bones about it.

Kelvin has been busy filming not one but two dramas - Dream Chasers starring Project Superstar's top four and Love Degree, opposite Rui En in two episodes - and he feels it has compromised his music career.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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11 February 2006

CUTIE-PIE FORMULA

It hasn't helped that the cutie-pie formula has worked so well that any singer who tries to go against the flow gets washed away.

Singapore's Rui En tried an aloof chic image in late 2002, but not even Jay Chou's compositions could save her debut from sinking into oblivion.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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26 December 2005

FLAME AWARDS

INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN: Olinda Cho (143 votes)
2nd place: Quan Yifeng (143)
3rd place: Irene Ang (122)
4th place: Rui En (56)

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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30 January 2006

Byline: Chang May Choon and Sheela Narayanan

Forbes magazine featured 11 of the best-paid Western celebrities under 25 in its online edition this month. CHANG MAY CHOON and SHEELA NARAYANAN find local and regional celebs with strong earning power

THEY may not be playing in big money leagues yet but some of the local under-25s are already rolling in some serious dough.

Singapore Idol Taufik Batisah, 24, singer Rui En, 24, and Singapore Idol runner-up Sylvester Sim, 23

The three are represented by Hype Records, which declined to reveal how much they earn.

Rui-En has six endorsements, among them Activa facial products, Tian Poh jewellery and Motorola handphones.

Industry sources reckon that each endorsement could be worth $20,000 and above.

These figures do not include a cut of the fees, which can be between 20 and 40 per cent, that go to the artiste management companies.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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25 December 2005

sheela@sph.com.sg

FLAME AWARDS

INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN AWARDS

OLINDA CHO

IT is official.The biggest shrinker of the year is the ever steady pom-pee-pee girl, Olinda Cho.

The 25-year-old singer won The New Paper's Flame Awards for being the Incredible Shrinking Woman.

Compared to the other shrinkers in the category, our readers thought Olinda had the most dramatic weight loss.

Olinda garnered 312 votes for downsizing from 72kg to 57kg.

Quan Yifeng was a distant second at 143 with Irene Ang coming up in third spot with 122 votes.

Few people thought singer Rui En losing her puppy fat was dramatic.

She only had 56 votes.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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12 December 2005

FLAME AWARDS

Tomorrow is your last chance to vote for your favourite (or least favourite) Flame Awards nominees. In case you missed any of the categories that we have unveiled over the past week, HO LIAN-YI gives you a recap:

INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN AWARD

1. Olinda Cho

She went from 72kg to 57kg. She used to be known for her powerful vocals; nowadays she's more famous for her missing flab.

2. Rui En

She went from 54kg to 47kg and baby fat has given way to spindly arms.

3. Irene Ang

The 1.7m-tall actress lost 12kg in the last six months, and has been flaunting her new figure in slinky dresses.

4. Quan Yifeng

At her lightest, she was a mere 39kg. Now 42kg, Yifeng is still a mere shadow of her former chubby self.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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09 December 2005

FLAME AWARDS

INCREDIBLE SHRINKING WOMAN AWARD

Our Incredible Shrinking Woman Award nominees are half the women they used to be. JEANMARIE TAN, WENDY TEO and SHEELA NARAYANAN report on the downsizing.

RUI EN

Goodbye to chubby cheeks

OVER the years, cherubic actress-singer Rui En, 24, has made no bones about shedding her baby fat.

But shocked viewers have been doing a double take at her increasingly bony shoulders and spindly arms.

The 1.68m-tall Rui En has dropped from 54kg to 47kg, and is currently endorsing LifePharm's 7-Day Diet.

She said: 'I hereby give The New Paper the award for Most Inventive Award Categories. I would prefer to consider myself The Incredible Woman, full-stop.' She insists that she's 'healthy' and not 'unheathily obsessed' with her weight.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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05 December 2005

Night of triumph

Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes: Michelle Chia, Xiang Yun, Michelle Chong, Chen Liping, Jeanette Aw, Joanne Peh, Rui En, Quan Yifeng, Jacelyn Tay, Huang Biren

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Star Awards 2005, The New Paper

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03 December 2005

Life no longer revolves around Caldecott Hill. As more celebrities like Jeff Wang, Cynthia Koh and Wong Li-Lin opt for independence from MediaCorp, the number of management agencies here are growing. WENDY TEO (teowyw@sph.com.sg) susses them out ...

HYPE RECORDS

Besides being a record label, Hype Records, owned by Singapore Idol judge Ken Lim, is also a concert organiser and artiste management company.

Those signed on to them are Phyllis Quek, Stella Ng, Rui En, Michelle Saram and, most recently, Samantha Tan.

Singapore Idol's Taufik Batisah and Sylvester Sim also have three-year management contracts with Hype.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Hype Records, The New Paper

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16 October 2005

THE BIG ISSUE
teowyw@sph.com.sg

Leave our chests alone, say celebs. It's a private matter.

Rui En refused to go into the topic while Fiona (a C) was so offended, she replied to our questions with a sour 'no comments'.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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11 October 2005

TView
teowyw@sph.com.sg

A PROMISE FOR TOMORROW

STARRING: Rui En, Qi Yuwu
SHOWING ON: Channel 8, weekdays, 9pm
RATING: ****

IT'S ironic that this new National Kidney Foundation-presented drama is entitled A Promise For Tomorrow.

Things certainly didn't look very promising at one point when it was being filmed earlier this year.

The production was midway through its course when the NKF saga erupted in July. Fortunately, it still made it to our screens.

The drama sees Rui En in her first lead role as Fang Fang, a young girl who faces the burden of bringing up her step-siblings because of her father Fang Zhen's (Huang Wenyong) wayward ways with the ladies.

When a fourth step-sibling, Fang Xiang, turns up at the door one day, Fang Fang decides that she has had enough and refuses to help Fang Zhen run the household anymore.

However, Fang Xiang turns out to be epileptic and stricken with cancer, so Fang Fang is unable to stop herself from caring.

Co-star Qi Yuwu plays a disfigured counsellor nicknamed Spider-Man, who was born with a hare-lip and is now helping kids with the same affliction.

Fang Fang falls in love with Spider-Man, but his low self-esteem comes between them.

Whatever the public sentiment, it's undeniable that the previous NKF dramas we have seen on our screens like A Life Of Hope have all been pretty good.

And A Promise For Tomorrow doesn't disappoint.

Besides the solid story line, this drama also makes you sit up and take notice of Rui En, who has blossomed into a credible lead after previously being only in the wings with her numerous supporting roles.

WHAT THOSE TICKS MEAN
***** Excellent
**** Good
*** Average
** Mediocre
* Don't bother


Source: The New Paper

Labels: A Promise For Tomorrow, The New Paper

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20 August 2005

UnUsUaL Productions was the main organiser for Concerts by the Bay and the Singapore Fireworks Festival as part of Carnival@Marina.

Starting from 11.30pm till past midnight at the Countdown Party on 8 Aug, we exclusively featured local artistes such as Tanya Chua, Joi Chua, Wendi Koh, Rui En and Taufik, all of whom performed and spoke largely in English.

- Johnny Ong,
Director,
UnUsUaL Productions

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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19 March 2005

RUI EN: THE 24-year-old actress/singer's crush was the most short-lived - but maybe because he was already attached.

Rui En said: 'I was 14 and he was a few years older. He was fair, tall, and very Japanese-looking even though he was local. And he was definitely unattainable because he had a really pretty girlfriend.'

Rui En and her fella mixed in the same social circles, but were never introduced.

But that didn't stop her from writing his name on her textbooks or freezing whenever he came into the room. She added: 'I would become very quiet and sneak peeks which I expect were very obvious to him.'

After just two weeks, the heart-fluttering died off.

Rui En - who will be performing Shuai Bu Diao, a track from her album, at the High On Life concert - saw him a few years ago, but heard that he 'went away to study'.

Predictably, Rui En would never consider hooking up with him if he breezed into her life again.

'Sometimes dreams should stay just dreams. It's more perfect that way.'

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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14 February 2005

WATCH IT

teowyw@sph.com.sg

This year, timed nicely for Valentine's Day, it's You're The One, which is (of course) supported by Family Matters! Singapore.

Richard Low plays restaurant chef Hao Shunli, father of three daughters. Eldest daughter Meiman (Nnadia Chan) prefers working to dating, while second daughter Meili (Jacelyn Tay) has scared off 37-and-still-counting suitors with her boorish mannerisms.

Meanwhile, the youngest, Meide (Rui En), is a vamp who has boys for breakfast, men for lunch, and spits them out by dinner time.

The father has a big headache, but the scriptwriters probably had a bigger migraine trying to repackage and sell this story of I've-Heard-It-Before.

To their credit, I think they have done a pretty good job, as has the cast.

That is reason enough to sit through this pro-romance campaign.

So when your relatives nag, just reach for the remote control and switch to this programme.

You're The One is showing over Channel 8 on weekdays at 9pm, starting tonight.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper, You Are The One

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02 February 2005

Byline: Feng Zengkun

TERENCE CAO, 36, and Rui En, 24, who play a couple in You're The One have definite plans about their respective weddings.

Rui-en, however, favours 'a quiet personal wedding', adding wistfully: 'Sometimes, I think I'll just elope with my husband to the Maldives.'

Asked whether she would later feel that she missed out on something special, she smiled wryly and noted: 'Look at what I'm in (a wedding gown). This is the third time I'm getting married like this.'

You're The One debuts on ch 8 on Feb 14 at 9pm.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper, You Are The One

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04 January 2005

MUST-WATCH TV 2005

YOU'RE THE ONE

(Channel 8, Feb)

What it's about: This romantic comedy is about three sisters and the men they fall for. Nnadia is the shrewd oldest sister, Jacelyn is the dowdy TV producer second sis, while Rui En plays the vampy babe of the family.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper, You Are The One

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08 December 2004

WATCH IT

jeanm@sph.com.sg

PITY my second helping of Achar left a sour taste in my mouth.

The sitcom premiered with the novelty of an inter-racial marriage and cross-cultural clashes on its side, spiced up by the much-reported off-screen skirmish between its two leads, Bollywood hunk Jas Arora and Chinese-Australian babe Steph Song.

The appealing, fresh-faced couple played opposites-attract newlyweds Ajay and Stephanie.

This season, singer-actress Rui En replaces Steph, and apparently got along swimmingly with Jas.

But maybe some of that old spice goes a long way, because the comfortable chemistry between them is more of the good buddies kind than of the passionate lovers variety.

With her exaggerated gestures and facial expressions, baby-faced Rui En proves she's better-suited for Channel 8 comedies.

Despite a sophisticated wardrobe and hairdo, she still can't match Steph's edginess, and comes across as too young, too bubbly and too childish for Jas that he almost looks like a cradle-snatcher.

And that's not very funny.

Speaking of which, Achar seems to have lost its recipe for clever humour and relies on leftover stereotypes instead.

The second season opened with Ajay and Steph forgetting their first anniversary, with things getting messier when the meddling in-laws conspire to get their offspring in the mood for love.

Ajay's roly-poly mum Uma (the ever-reliable Malti Lalwani) scatters tealights, aromatic bath oils, rose petals and gold dust on the floor.

Predictably, Stephanie's parents bring plastic flowers, a cake, Yomeishu and cheena red lingerie, causing Uma to exclaim: 'You're supposed to inspire romance, not horror.'

Unfortunately, Achar 2 doesn't inspire much laughter either.

Achar 2 is showing over Channel 5, Thursdays at 8.30pm.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Achar, The New Paper

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01 December 2004

HAPPY TOGETHER : Jas Arora (with co-star Rui En) says he gets along fine with her.

Byline: Sheela Narayanan
BOLLYWOOD BUZZ
sheela@sph.com.sg

J AS Arora is one relieved actor.

The 29-year-old Bollywood resident told The New Paper that shooting the second season of the MediaCorp sitcom, Achar!, was 'like a dream'.

Compared, that is, to last year's storm in the masala teacup when he apparently fell out with former co-star Steph Song.

Steph was replaced with singer-actress Rui En.

The 23-year-old has been nominated for the Most Popular Newcomer category for this year's Star Awards.

The actors' spat in the first season didn't do the sitcom or Jas's reputation any damage.

Achar! did quite well in the ratings with 538,000 viewers tuning in to its debut episode last year.

But there won't be any spicy off-screen falling-out between the new leads.

'We rehearsed about a week. I guess my producers tried to play it safe to make sure Rui En and I got along fine,' said Jas ruefully.

Jas took 40 days out of his tight filming and modelling schedule to shoot Achar! 2.

'It's just great to come to the set this year,' he said.

As for Rui En, he has only good things to say about her.

'She is a sweet girl, simple, not too complicated.'

'We are all very professional,' said the Delhi-born actor.

Rui En said she didn't let last year's baggage get in the way.

'I felt it wouldn't be fair to let all the bad press affect my performance or the way I am with the cast.'

'I kept an open mind. We are all professionals. We are here to work, not to make friends,' she said.

But she said it turned out quite well anyway.

'It was very relaxed since it was a sitcom and we (the cast) were always goofing around.

'It was comfortable,' said Rui En.

That's a weight off Jas' mind, that's for sure.

He said with a grin: 'I just hope without the controversies, we get a higher viewership.'

Achar! 2 will debut tomorrow over Channel 5 at 8.30pm.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Achar, The New Paper

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10 April 2004

Showtime & Lifestyle

After a two-year hiatus, Channel i is again offering local dramas, starting with Perceptions. JEANMARIE TAN talks to its stars, Eelyn Kok and Steph Song, about potentially career-changing roles.

Whatever the case, Steph is 'curious' to see how the second season of Achar will turn out, now that singer/actress Lu Rui En is rumoured to be taking over her role.

She said: 'It should be an exciting opportunity for (Rui En). And frankly, Achar was a good show and deserves to keep going.'

Source: The New Paper

Labels: Achar, The New Paper

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09 January 2004

ONE concert, so many famous faces: It looks irresistible.

Local stars Sheik Haikel, Tanya Chua, Rui En and Ben Yeung will team up with Hong Kong actor/singer Julian Cheung, Anita Mui protege Remus Choy, Taiwan's B.A.D. and British newbie Derek McDonald, all at Youth Concert @ South East 2004, organised by the Southeast CDC.

But there's a catch.

The singers have volunteered their services, the whole event has been arranged by volunteers - and the audience will be asked to step up and volunteer too.

The celebrities are more than happy to help, too.

Rui En, who sang the Community Chest theme song last year, said: 'I'm quite pleased to play a part and get young people to do charity work.'

She will be performing three songs at the concert.

Tickets are $2 each and all proceeds will go to the Metta School, Goodlife Centre @ South East and The Salvation Army Bedok Multiservice for the Elderly.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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08 January 2004

JUST how bright are our Singaporean stars shining in Taiwan?

Here's Mr Suen's brutally-honest appraisal:

Rui En

'She's almost disappeared in Taiwan. Oh, she's filming dramas in Singapore? Well she should just continue doing that! To be an artiste, you must have audience appeal. She lacks that.'


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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11 November 2003

LU RUI En is one lucky young woman.

She first brought out the green-eyed monster in us by playing Jay Chou's girlfriend in his music video, and later, the love interest of Howard Cheung, her hunky Chemistry co-star.

And in the updated version of homegrown candid camera show Gotcha - which premieres on Ch 5 tonight - the Singaporean actress-singer shares hosting duties with Brothers 4 cutie, Soo Kui Jien.

So is Rui En, 22, beside herself at such good fortune?

She protested: 'I wouldn't want to get excited about these things!

'It's unprofessional to get into that groupie mentality, because I don't think you can work very well. I think I would have just died with Jay Chou then!'

She said of Kui Jien, 31: 'Our chemistry is very different from what I had with Howard. I'm more pally and comfortable with Jien, he's like a big brother.

VIOLENT BABE

'But he thinks I'm one of the most violent girls in Singapore!'

To that, Kui Jien deadpanned: 'She likes smacking me, she says it's a sign of affection.'

Naughty Rui En even tried to pull her own prank on him, by throwing a tantrum and storming off when he was late for work.

She recalled: 'But the (Gotcha) producers kept putting a wet blanket on it. They probably have something in store for us.'

We think the real surprise would be if the comely couple were indeed an item.

But Rui En scotched such talk, saying: 'He's been in this line for a long time, so he knows better than to make things awkward by getting involved.

'Anyway, he's quite scared of me, so I don't think he'd want to!'

But Kui Jien quipped that 'there is a possibility'.'

We made a pact that when we're 76, and if we don't find anybody else, we're going to hook up.'

Hmm, is that a joke?

He's a really nice, joker/comedian type of guy. And I like his bright, radiant smile ... But he thinks I'm one of the most violent girls in Singapore!
- Actress-singer Lu Rui En on Gotcha co-host Soo Kui Jien


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Gotcha, The New Paper

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11 October 2003

WATCH IT

IT'S tough playing a joker on TV, trying your darndest to make people laugh.

Succeed and you get lauded with praises such as 'natural' and 'gifted'.

But, just go slightly overboard and you'll be labelled 'exaggerated' or 'fake'.

It's a fine line to tread, but seasoned actor Liu Qianyi has shown it is possible.

Good actors, though, are essential - which this dramedy has no lack of.

Other co-stars like newbie Rui En and deejay Dasmond Koh do passably well to generate laughter too.

But still, no one does it better than the veteran Qianyi.

A Toast Of Love is showing on Channel 8 on Saturdays at 9pm.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: A Toast Of Love, The New Paper

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Singer-actress Lu Rui En is a 'big fan' of Spears, but she's not a fan of stripping for the camera.

FHM pictorials, bikinis and bra tops are 'definitely out'.

The spunky 22-year-old said: 'I'm a person who's open to trying new things, but I wouldn't purposely flash skin or go topless thinking I can sell 50,000 copies of my album. I don't think it works that way, not in Asia at least.'

She wouldn't mind 'showing a bit' in photo spreads or music videos though if 'the director feels it's aesthetically pleasing'.

'Being sexy doesn't neccessarily mean it has to be in the Britney Spears or Christina Aguilera way. I can do it my way and feel comfortable.'

For complete article: http://newpaper.asia1.com.sg/printfriendly/0,4139,37959,00.html

Labels: The New Paper

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19 September 2003

A SUDDEN rainstorm disrupted Cold Storage's 100th Anniversary celebrations last Sunday.

The carnival was graced by many stars such as actor Pierre Png, Hype Records' Artiste Network's Phyllis Quek, Michelle Saram and Rui En.

According to the Artiste Network minder, everything was fine when the stars arrived.

But they were told that exceptionally strong winds had caused the tent, designated as the holding area for the stars, to collapse.


Source: The New Paper

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14 September 2003

High-impact sports like tennis are very good. When you hit the ball hard, you feel damn song (good).
- Actress-singer Rui En


Source: The New Paper

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10 July 2003

Byline: Eri Akbar

IN reel life, they are inseparable.

But off screen, Lu Rui En and Howard Cheung, the main actors in Channel 5's current English drama, Chemistry, lead separate lives in different countries.

Rui En, 22, a Singaporean, is busy with her final year studies in banking and finance at Nanyang Technological University.

Howard, 26, an Eurasian, is occupied with modelling jobs back in his native Hong Kong.

After being out of touch for the past seven months since filming for the series ended last November, the two co-stars were reunited in Singapore last week.

It was to promote the show.

Whether or not they sizzle together on screen, Howard and Rui En showed plenty of chemistry during their photo shoot with The New Paper.

The screen couple did not hesitate to strike lovey-dovey poses, albeit playful ones, such as locking each other in a bear hug and going on a piggyback.

The two, who look more like brother and sister than the romantically-involved characters they play on the show, did start on the wrong foot at first.

GRADUAL EASE

Rui En admitted: 'Initially, we were not comfortable with each other because we were newcomers and we didn't know each other.'

However, they have grown more at ease in each other's company after filming closely for three months last year, Howard said in a separate interview.

In the local fantasy-romance drama, the pair starts off as rivals who magically switch souls and become trapped in each other's body.

As the plot thickens, their characters end up falling for each other.

To make them more convincing in their roles, they had to go for a 'psychotherapy' session arranged by the director.

Rui En and Howard had to, for instance, write their thoughts on love down on paper and exchange their notes.

Both confessed to being physically, mentally and emotionally exhausted playing, well, each other on the small screen.

Rui En said: 'Howard is more mellow than me.'

I felt conscious of my every move and every thought.

'Everything I do, I'd think, Is this how Howard would react?' '

As for Howard, he was expected to act as chirpy as Rui En usually is, even when shooting began as early as 6am.

NO PLAY

Because of that, he said that he did not get to explore much of this island and would head straight to bed in his Meyer Road rented apartment.

So don't expect romance to spill over from reel to real life.

You can forget about regular buddy outings or phone calls because their relationship is strictly professional.

Although the two swinging single actors, in a past interview, did not rule out the possibility of romance between them, they have now changed course.

Howard summed it up:

Chemistry is shown over Channel 5 at 8.30pm on Thursdays.

Initially, we were not comfortable with each other because we were newcomers and we didn't know each other.

- Rui En

If we don't hit it off right from the start, chances are, we're never going to.

- Howard


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Chemistry, The New Paper

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29 May 2003

WATCH IT!

WATCHING the new local romantic comedy, Chemistry, is akin to sitting in front of a school lab experiment, praying that the results will turn out accurate.

You see, creating a successful TV show is a science in itself.

Complementary elements (script, direction, cast) are blended, but just the exact amount of heat and timing are of utmost importance.

On-screen couples like Tony Leung-Maggie Cheung and Zoe Tay-Li Nanxing have mastered the art of having chemistry ooze from their pores.

Not so with acting newbies Lu Rui En and Howard Cheung.

The abrupt and dull debut episode could have benefited from a full one-hour opener to properly introduce the couple.

Rachel (Rui En) is a cynical radio deejay who rolls her eyes at the concept of love, until she meets CK (Howard), an uptight expat fitness consultant.

By a cliched twist of fate, they switch bodies ala The Hot Chick.

They become joined at the hip, and soon, animosity melts into affection.

Judging from the trailer, the show actually gets a shot of adrenaline when CK (in Rachel's body) struggles to wear a bra and accidentally walks into a ladies' loo.

Unfortunately, I don't see such gender-centric fish-out-of-water gags lasting another 12 episodes.

And I hope Howard won't overdo his one-note brow-furrowing expression.

On the other hand, Rui En is a natural in front of the camera. She shines while delivering ego-deflating lines like: 'At least I eat my food! You, on the other hand, can't even handle a carrot. Call yourself a man.'

Rui En definitely makes the grade, but Chemistry scores a C.

Chemistry is shown over Channel 5 on Thursdays at 9pm.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Chemistry, The New Paper

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22 May 2003

Showtime & Lifestyle

COULD life imitate art?

Two people - as different as day and night - meet and fall in love.

But that's the TV plot.

In the case of actors Lu Rui En and Howard Cheung, the falling in love bit is still a question mark.

Both are lead actors in the new local English series, Chemistry, about free-spirited radio deejay Rachel, who falls for strait-laced fitness consultant CK after overcoming a string of misunderstandings and differences.

And since the two characters were actually modelled on the leads' real-life personalities, things might just get interesting.

In fact, just as in the plot of the romantic comedy, it took quite a while for Rui En and Hong Kong-born Howard to warm up to each other during the rehearsals.

Rui En, 22, who launched her debut album in January, told The New Paper frankly over lunch on Tuesday: 'I thought that him being a model, he would be the vain sort.'

And according to her, Howard didn't help matters by hanging out with the guys and not really bothering with her.

PSYCHOTHERAPY' SESSION

But after a 'psychotherapy' session ordered by the producer so that both can exude more chemistry on the show, the pair started to get along a lot better.

The final-year NTU business undergrad added: 'I totally got it (my first impression) wrong.

'Howard's actually got another side to him. He's very patient and gentle, and when he gets to know you better, he will actually start telling you jokes.'

Soon after the ice was broken, the couple even started teasing each other.

'I would tease him about his love for health food, and he would bully me back by making me feel guilty about what I was eating.

He would go, Do you know how much oil that contains?'. He's just like HNN - Health News Network - I can ask him all sorts of questions about health.'

When The New Paper called Howard in Hong Kong, where he's based, the first-time actor would only describe his co-star as 'very pretty'.

The difference between them was painfully obvious.

While Rui En was gregarious and lively, 26-year-old Howard was shy and subdued.

He then claimed that he didn't spend much time with Rui En off the set because she was 'always so busy'.

But unlike the Chemistry script, the 'love' story of Rui En and Howard may not progress beyond friendship.

When asked whether sparks will spill over from reel to real life, both didn't sound too keen.

Howard would commit only to a polite 'anything's possible', while Rui En was a bit more adamant.

She said: 'I don't believe in opposites attract.'

He's not really my type, and I'm quite fussy about type.'

Then she added: 'But I guess you can say that he's a potential can lor.'

So how well do Rui En and Howard know each other? How much chemistry do they have after working on Chemistry? We put them through the test ...

PERSONALITY TEST

*ON HOWARD

What is his favourite phrase?

Rui En: Dude.

Howard: Isn't life exhilarating?

What is his pet peeve?

R: This one I know! Confirmed! Forgetting to bring his health food and having to eat 'unhealthy' food like the rest of us!

Do you know that he comes to the shoot carrying two huge backpacks full of health food?

He eats his cereal in the morning, has fish soup for lunch and he prepares his own afternoon snack of an apple and tuna mixed with olive oil ... every day!

H: Smoking I guess, I don't like smoking. But she's right about the two backpacks, only thing is I've never forgotten (my health food)!

What is his worst habit?

R: Farting. He doesn't do it all the time, but he's been known to do it, even in the air-con room! And apparently, it smells very bad, which is very shocking, since he doesn't really eat red meat. He has never done it in front of me, but he has threatened to.

H: Sleeping in. I've been late for filming before, but so have the rest.

(We then told him what Rui En said.) Oh no! But it's a guy thing, farting in front of one another! I hate the smell of smoking. I have to fart to neutralise the smoke.

What is his secret fantasy?

R: To open a martial arts school and a health food cafe.

H: To become a professional tennis player.

* ON RUI EN

What is her favourite phrase?

Howard: (pauses for a very long while) I can't recall her having one.

Rui En: Wah lao eh! (As in her favourite phrase, not Howard's inability to answer the question.)

What is her pet peeve?

H: I don't know. It's been a while since we last met, and we spent only three months together ... Why don't you tell me her answer, and I'll go, 'oh yah, that's right'?

R: Having to wait for something.

What is her worst habit?

H: Smoking?

R: Biting my nails and picking at my toe-nails. Especially during exam time when I have to study. I can't sit still, I have to find something to do. And because of that, I'm very ashamed of my toe-nails, I don't like people to see them.

What's her secret fantasy?

H: To meet Takeshi Kaneshiro. She really likes him. When we talk about it, she will go 'Oh, so gorgeous!'

R: My secret fantasy will be to go sky-diving.

CHEMISTRY TEST

X-Men or The Matrix?

Rui En: X-Men
Howard: X-Men

Dogs or cats?

R: Cats.
H: Dogs. I like cats too, but I'm allergic to them.

Suntan lotion or sunblock?

R: Sunblock
H: Sunblock

Which came first - the chicken or the egg?

R: Egg
H: Egg

Is the glass half empty or half full?

R: Half full
H: Half full

Wow, 4 out of 5 - sizzling hot chemistry!


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Chemistry, The New Paper

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19 May 2003

Hype Records: The local record label is known for grooming local stars, including Stella Ng and Rui En. It organises a massive talent search once a year and constantly scouts for promising new acts.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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23 January 2003

IS newbie singer Lu Rui En an 'all natural' girl as her record company touts her to be?

Well, she appeared to be - at first.

Dressed in casual gear for her press conference to launch her debut album, the Singaporean wore minimal makeup and looked like any trendy youngster plucked off the street.

'This is how I usually dress. I like comfy and baggy clothes,' she said.

Grimacing, the 21-year-old added: 'I can never ever have a sexy image because I don't like to wear tight clothing. I will not be able to tahan (Malay for take it)!'

But when it came to fielding media queries, being 'natural' with her responses was a big no-go for Rui En.

Or maybe it was her manager.

At the barest hint of anything controversial, she would cut in and try to answer on Rui En's behalf.

Like when we asked Rui En if she felt any frustration while in Taiwan because of her limited Mandarin.

Before Rui En could reply, her manager said rather defensively: 'She wasn't like, frustrated. It was more awkward than anything.'

Or when we asked how it was like for Rui En to work with Taiwanese singer Jay Chou (he wrote her a song and she appeared in his music video).

'Oh, we are just like siblings,' said Rui En, glancing at her manager, and trying to explain.

'I see him only as a brother and we like to kid around,' she added, as her manager nodded.

MORE INTERRUPTIONS

An attempt to find out more about Rui En's upcoming Channel 5 drama, Chemistry, was also nipped in the bud by the ever-so-protective minder.

In Chemistry, Rui En is paired up with newcomer Howard Cheung, and their characters are supposed to fall in love after some initial misunderstandings.

We tried to ask if there were any awkward scenes.

And, expectedly, the manager decided to reply on her behalf: 'Why don't you go and watch the show?'

When Rui En admitted that she did have a kissing scene, her manager cut in with: 'It was just a resuscitation scene!'

But Rui En corrected her: 'Yes, there was a resuscitation scene, but there was also a kissing scene.

'The resuscitation scene was awkward because we really had to kiss, and we didn't do it very naturally because we were nervous.'

It was probably her most 'natural' comment throughout the interview.

It would be nice to talk to Rui En again - that is, if she can speak for herself.

Rui En's self-titled album is out in stores now.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Rui ∑n vol. 01, The New Paper

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20 January 2003

Showtime & Lifestyle

How does a newbie make a bang in Taiwan?
Try snuggling up to a popular teenybopper. Or copying one.
Failing that, break up everyone's favourite screen couple.
It's not a path to popularity, though.
Singaporean artistes Celest Chong, Rui En and Michelle Saram were swamped with hate mail when they ventured into Taiwan.
But, guess what? They picked up thousands of fans, too.

CHANG MAY CHOON reports

Stay away from Jay

ChouSinger Rui En, better known as the SingTel girl who sprinted across Shenton Way in the TV commercial, is also in Taipei.

She was issued a fierce warning by fanatical fans of R&B prince Jay Chou to 'stay away from Jay, or else ...'.

The singing newbie first incurred their wrath when she cosied up to Jay in his music video, fuelling speculations that they are an item.

They have signed up with the same record label, Alfa Music, in Taiwan.

Jay's jealous fans immediately bombarded Rui En's online message board with nasty notes like 'You better watch your step'.

In her defence, the 22-year-old business undergrad from Nanyang Technological University clarified that she and Jay are 'like brother and sister'.

She said: 'Actually Jay treats me like a sister. There's no chemistry between us.'


MISUNDERSTANDING

Now that the misunderstanding has been cleared up, many fans of Jay are keen to support Rui En as well, said Mr Tan, who is her manager as well.

He told The New Paper: 'Many fans got to know Rui En through Jay, which is good because he has such a big fan base.

'Initially, they scolded her because they thought she's Jay girlfriend. But now they acknowledge that she's a good singer.'

He added that nearly 40,000 copies of her debut album have flown off the shelves in Taiwan since December.

This is 'very encouraging for a newcomer', he added.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Rui ∑n vol. 01, The New Paper

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10 January 2003

VOL.01 ALBUM
Lu Rui En

YES, she's that girl from the SingTel commercial and in Jay Chou's MTV.

But does she sound as good as she looks?

You bet - raw on the vocals, but a good attempt for a first album consisting of a R&B tempo-ridden repertoire.

- Desmond Ng


Source: The New Paper

Labels: Rui ∑n vol. 01, The New Paper

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14 August 2002

LUCKY Lu Rui En.

The former SingTel babe who raced across town to top up her handphone's stored value card got to flirt with Taiwan's most eligible pop star, Jay Chou, recently.

Now a singer-actress, she plays his love interest in the music video for his new song, Secret Code.

There were no intimate scenes though. All the couple did was exchange love messages on their handphones.

The closest they got was when he caressed her face after performing a little magic trick to impress her.

After all, Jay is known to be so shy that he refuses to kiss his co-stars.

'It feels weird to kiss someone I don't know,' he said bashfully, 'Even in my music videos, I'd only hold hands with the female leads.'

By the time the 3 1/2-hour filming ended at 4am, the film crew was dead beat.

Only Jay was still bursting with energy and kept pestering Rui En to play poker with him.

Could that be a secret code for 'I like you'?

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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27 June 2002

WATCH IT!

HOW ironic it is that the title of this drama serial should be No Problem.

There were problems indeed, with misfortune befalling the actresses, one by one.

No Problem also sees the appearance of newcomer Lu Rui-en (the Singtel ad girl) as the girlfriend of Chen Hanwei's Jinfu, the youngest son in the rice dumpling clan.

Her acting may be a bit raw, but at least she has no problems with her Mandarin. No Problem is shown over Channel 8 every weekday at 9pm.


Source: The New Paper

Labels: No Problem, The New Paper

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09 June 2002

TAKE 5

THIS former SingTel girl has run into good luck these days.

You'll remember Lu Rui En as the gutsy babe in the ad who raced up a sweat just to top up her handphone's stored value card.

Now, she could even be the next Stefanie Sun or Tanya Chua.

The 21-year-old NTU business student has signed on with Hype Records after crooning Mariah Carey and Faye Wong tunes at her audition. She is recording her debut Mandarin album - even though she doesn't really listen to Chinese music.

And all this while finishing up her attachment at an IT firm.

Meanwhile, the showbiz ingenue makes her small screen debut in the new Channel 8 drama No Problem, which starts tomorrow. Rui En plays Chen Hanwei's longtime sweetie-pie girlfriend - until Ivy Lee comes between them.

Do you go ga-ga over guys made from the F4 mould?

No! I'm not so much into the long-hair, idol look. For me, it's more of character and sei (Hokkien for style). But now I really like Hayden Christensen. Which girl wouldn't?
You take pride in your proficiency in...

Doing imitations. I'm pretty good at a Malay rocker accent.

How do you feel about the whole slimming pill scandal that dogged your co-stars Chen Liping or Andrea De Cruz?

Actually I was told to lose weight, because I have baby fat on my cheeks. But after the Slim 10 thing I was pretty disturbed. No way would I take pills. It's all about exercise and a healthy diet.
Women don't get football: True or false?

False. Then again, I think they get it only because of the cute guys. Other than that there's no other attraction for us.

What's the wildest thing you've ever done?

While I was in secondary school, my parents were very strict and I had an early curfew. I would sneak out of the house by the back gate in the middle of the night. Once, when I came back early in the morning, my mum was waiting for me! That was the scariest thing in the world.
I was grounded for half a year and couldn't even use the phone!

- Jeanmarie Tan

Labels: The New Paper

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16 January 2001

Lu Rui En's modelling career soared after she raced like a daredevil in a SingTel ad to top up her handphone's stored value card. She even earned a feature in this month's FHM magazine.

SERENE FOO meets the other SingTel girl who didn't get the marriage proposal.

FOR her moment of fame, she ran for about 12 hours, till she tore a ligament.
Recalled Lu Rui En in mock horror: "I haven't been doing any exercise for ages. Not since the days in junior college when I was in the hockey team.

"And I had to run from, like, 7am to 7pm for the shoot."

The SingTel ad was shot in one day around Boat Quay and Raffles Place.

Said the 20-year-old: "The director kept telling me to run faster and faster. And the crew was filming me from a truck."

"At that time, I really felt as if I was in an action movie."

By noon, she was walking with a limp. By evening, she had torn a ligament.

"I went around with a limp, weeks after the shoot ended," said the business undergraduate from Nanyang Technological University.

But the shoot also inflated her bank account by a few thousand dollars.

And she appeared in this month's issue of FHM, all styled up.

But Rui En's lucrative modelling jobs were not appreciated by her dad at first.

"My dad thinks that in this industry, they will DRUG your drink and RAPE you or something."

She had her first shot at modelling after her A levels in 1999.

Now, Rui En is a model with Phantom Management.

"I try to tell my dad everything, like what I do on the job, what exactly the industry is like, so that he can understand."

She has also done advertisements for MPH and Seiyu.

And guys, eat your hearts out.

The leggy babe's taken.

Her boyfriend wasn't supportive initially.

"He's kind of 'jealous' and thinks that I might run away with some tall, dark and handsome model," she added.

WANT TO SEE HER?

Not that he is the Hunchback of Notre Dame.

"He's been approached to try out modelling. Ya, I think he's quite cute. Oh no, must be humble, modest, right?" she added, laughing.

For a glimpse of the frequent party-goer, you can try hanging out at Zouk. But don't dismiss her as a wild airhead.

Said Rui En: "I love having fun but I also know where to draw the line. Ultimately, I know I need to do well in my studies."

In order not to jeopardise her school work, Rui En tries to schedule her casting calls after her lessons.

"I think the shelf life of a model is short. I hope to venture into banking and finance. Or, maybe investment banking because I love economics."

At the moment, she doesn't foresee herself being in front of the camera after graduation.

"But I may still do modelling part-time because the money is good."
And get this, the ex-Raffles Junior College student is fanatic about classical literature.

"I was a literature student in Junior College. I love reading although I don't have as much time for it now. Sometimes, I prefer to stay at home with my boyfriend and just read.

"Her favourite: Thomas Hardy's 19th-century classic Tess of the D'Urbervilles.
"It's a book I did for my A levels."It's very poetic and the author has very intelligent insights into the human nature."

She also enjoys the works of F Scott Fitzgerald.

And guess what, the university library was where she was recognised by one of her schoolmates.

Said Rui En: "You know, it's so quiet in the library and this guy said loudly, 'Are you the one in the advertisement, I didn't expect to see you here'.

"Covering her face in mock embarrassment, she joked: "I was like, ya, I am studying here. Thank you and pleeeaaase go away."

Poor chap.

Still, it wasn't exactly a brilliant pick-up line.

Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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13 October 1998

The New Paper New Face '98

EXAM fever has gripped Raffles Junior College.

But New Face of the Year, Gabrielle Dai, 17, is turning heads away from books.

Yesterday was her first day back in school after she beat 11 other contenders last Friday in The New Paper New Face contest.

Quipped her close friend and classmate Lu Rui En, 17: "I must have heard 'Congrats Gab' at least a thousand times today."


Source: The New Paper

Labels: The New Paper

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