8 DAYS | 109STORY: JOCELYN LEE PHOTOS AIK CHENgood one. I totally agree with
them. The BMW 318i felt very
sturdy and comfortable. Everything
just felt right. There’s also plenty
of space for my parents when
they’re here on holiday. Initially, I
considered getting a Mercedes-
Benz sports car but the price
wasn’t as attractive, and it’s
not as spacious. I paid the
downpayment of $20,000 with my
savings, and my parents forked
out another $100,000. I’m now
paying for the remaining $40,000
in monthly installments.
Your parents are very
generous.
Honestly, I feel guilty but grateful.
My parents have this mentality
that an actor should drive a more
luxurious car but I told them that
they were mistaken and actors
in Singapore don’t earn much
(guffaws). I’ve been working here
for seven years now, yet I’m still
not considered a star. Our jobmay be glamorous to the outside
world, but many people don’t really
know the challenges we face. Upon
hearing that, my parents decided
to ease my financial burden by
sponsoring a partial amount for my
first ride.
What did the people around
you say about this splurge?
Felicia was very supportive. She went
car shopping with me and we picked
out the model together. Ian [Fang]
told me that I’ve made it since I’mEr, do you live out of
your car? “I think my car is
quite tidy! I’m also quite a clean
freak. All the things that I need —
shoes, jackets, sunnies — are in
my car. It feels like a mini home to
me. Sometimes, when I am free in
between filming, I’d go into my car
and take a quick 30-min power nap. I
seldom fetch anyone else other than
Felicia so she’s the only one who sees
what’s in my car. She wears those
jackets I leave in my back seat too
if she forgets to bring hers,
or if it gets cold.”It’s a shoe-in:
“I keep up to four different
pairs of footwear in my car boot
so that I have a variety to choose
from when the occasion arises.
I have basketball shoes, leather
boots, sneakers and flip flops
here. The car plate was given by
my fans as a gift when I
first got my car. I keep it with
me as I think it’s really
thoughtful of them.”