Briefcase babe Andrea Fonseka's no wallflower
By Asif Ansar, TODAY | Posted: 06 June 2007 1307 hrs

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SINGAPORE : It's not all glamour being a "suitcase" girl on the current TV favourite, Deal or No Deal. Adrenalin-fuelled headaches, itchy feet and dealing with married men offering to "pay" are all in a day's work for beauty queen-turned-TV host Andrea Fonseka.

The 22-year-old model, who snagged the Miss Malaysia Universe title in 2004, once had aspirations of studying law in the United Kingdom, but a less-than-favourable exchange rate and the prospect of living on a diet of Maggi Mee changed her mind.

"So I applied online to see if the National University of Singapore would accept me. And they did!" she told TODAY recently.

Since her move here three years ago, Andrea's star has risen steadily. She has a high-profile gig as the No 10 suitcase girl on Deal or No Deal, which airs on Wednesdays at 8.30pm on MediaCorp TV Channel 5, and another upcoming one as co-host on the talent show Live the Dream, also on the same channel.

But the vivacious final-year law undergrad insists not much has changed and that she takes everything in her stride. A strong advocate of public transport to cut down on pollution, she said she is rarely recognised in public.

"I think Singaporeans are very shy. Even if they have recognised me, no one has ever come up to me and said: 'Hey! Deal or No Deal!' When I am thinking about something, I frown a little bit. But I am actually a very, very, very friendly person. Come say 'Hi!', I will be very, very flattered."

No wallflower herself, Andrea was surprisingly candid during her 40-minute chat with this newspaper at the MediaCorp Broadcast Centre on Caldecott Hill, revealing the secret to winning Deal or No Deal, what's really on her mind when she appears on the show and why potential suitors should do an underarm check before approaching her with an opening line.

What's the best thing about working on Deal or No Deal?

I got to meet 25 other like-minded, ambitious, similarly aged, lovely girls. That was really fun. The other thing is being able to work with Adrian Pang. Thirdly, to be able to work with the people of MediaCorp.

The possibility that you could be giving a contestant $250,000 is a plus and minus thing. It's very exciting; it's very high-intensity.

When I get an adrenalin rush I have headaches after that. After every episode I get a headache, but it's a good kind of headache.

What's the worst chat up line you've heard since you've appeared on TV?

(Looks mortified) There was this one person who messaged me. And he was like (whispers): "I can give you what you need. And your friends don't need to find out. I am married, but it's okay." I was thinking: "Are you like, kidding me?" (laughs). He was like (whispers): "I will pay you if you like." I was just shocked. I composed three different replies but decided not to reply.

So do you prefer Singaporean men or their Malaysian counterparts?

You are making me blush! I am a good Catholic girl! (laughs) No! I am not answering that question!

So, there's no one in your life right now?
I have no time. Right now, I am just concentrating on myself. It would be very hard if I had someone else. But if the right man comes along, we'll have to make time, won't we? (cheeky grin)

What do you get up to when you aren't busy being on TV or studying?

I have two cats. They are the two most amazing things in the world for me. I can spend hours just playing with them. I watch a lot of TV. Sometimes on Sundays — when I don't have a lot of work — I order a large Rocky's pizza in the afternoon, the 16-inch one. I eat in front of the TV, half the pizza in the afternoon and the rest at night. (laughs)

I love Italian food. I love my Malaysian food, really good nasi lemak, ice kacang, popiah, which you can find in Singapore. That's another reason why I preferred coming to Singapore (to moving to Britain).

And chocolates, ice cream, strawberries and cream.

How do you stay in shape?

I am the spokesperson for Marie France in Malaysia. They've extended their services for me in Singapore as well. So, that's how I stay in shape. I work out as well. I try to walk as much as I can. I take taxis as little as possible. If everyone in Singapore took taxis it would be quite bad for the environment. So I take the train and buses as much as I can.

If someone says: "Why is a girl from TV riding the bus?", I say: "So what? I am saving the environment!"

Back to your TV work. What goes through your mind when the cameras are rolling on Deal or No Deal and you're standing there with your suitcase?

I really can't stand still. I really respect the girls who can stand there and not move and keep smiling. I can't.

My neck will start to itch, and the sole of my foot will start to itch. That's the most annoying thing ever (giggles). So I have to wait until break time, run out of sight and scratch.

Most of the time we're thinking: "I hope it's a low number for the contestant." We follow the game. Sometimes when a contestant has to choose, I am thinking: "You should deal right now! I really think you should deal right now!" (laughs)

What do you think is the secret to winning Deal or No Deal? It's all a game of guts and luck! I am a very "safe" person.

Yes, the first aim is to win $250,000 but when you find out that you opened the briefcase with $250,000, then you've got to be smart and know when to take the money and run.

That's why they'll never pick me as a contestant. Say the first offer is $3,000. I would say: "OK, deal! $3,000, man! That's one month of work!" That's why my job is to just stand there and wait with the suitcase. That's what I'm good for.

Tell us, what's in your suitcase whenever you travel?

Deodorant. I have a phobia about body odour. Not that I have BO.

Toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries … Shampoo and conditioner because the two-in-ones in hotels don't work for me.

Make up, and then of course underwear, a pair of jeans, a skirt, a couple of tops. My mum always taught me how to travel light. And if I'm attending an event, my hair straightening iron and curlers.

That sure sounds like one big "little" bag …

It is. I came back from Kuala Lumpur with it and the wheels broke. So I had to drag because it was too heavy for me to carry.

It made this 'eeeeeeek eeek' noise all through customs! - TODAY/ra