| |
| |
 |
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
SINGAPORE : Nobody says no to having tea with the Queen. Especially if tea turns out to be Sushi and the Queen is one who lords over Caldecott. Doubly so when she's promoting a film eight months pregnant and has a feeling she might pop any time now.
Not that you'd be able to tell, of course. Zoe Tay is radiant - clearly she wears motherhood incredibly well, seeing as she's carrying her third child.
This writer looked more tired and larger than the 42-year-old actress, and all I was carrying was a buffet breakfast.
"I am actually due at the end of October," said Zoe. "But he's really active. He kicks a lot, moves a lot ... It feels like he's almost ready to get out!"
It seems Son No 3 is already taking after his busy mummy, who had so much on her to-do list, she didn't even realise she was pregnant during the film shoot.
"This," said Zoe, pointing to her tummy, "came as a surprise. My schedule was so packed, I didn't have time to think of anything else. I had another TV project (Channel 8's 'Unriddle', which she eventually dropped out of allowing Chen Liping to step in) lined up immediately after the movie wrapped so I was busy script-learning for both at the same time. And the characters were very different, so I was rushing home every day to do my 'homework' and had to keep telling myself to focus!
"Those were the difficult moments because I kept drifting from one character to another. I didn't have time to notice anything else. I thought I was overworked - that's why I was feeling this way."
In the new film "Love Cuts", Zoe plays a mother-of-two who is diagnosed with breast cancer. It was an easy decision to agree to the role for the actress who now describes herself as a mother first.
"The topic is sensitive and the subject is serious," she said. "I wish people will be more open about talking about breast cancer and how to prevent it. I feel sad that a lot of women with breast cancer did not go for yearly tests, or seek proper opinions or share with people. A lot of women every year pass away because of this disease and I am hoping this movie will get the message across that everyone should take it seriously."
Still, playing a woman with cancer while pregant and hormonal - she must have been on emotional hyperdrive.
"I tried not to cry a lot," laughed Zoe. Well, that's practical.
The Queen Mother lounged comfortably with TODAY to reveal what date nights with hubby Phillip are like, the possibility of having more kids, and why she's no longer crossing her fingers for a baby girl.
How do you cope with being a busy working mother?
Zoe Tay: Well, I'm used to it. It's always going to be busy, so you just have to be organised. Just like now that I am about to give birth, I have to make hotel arrangements for the "man yue" (baby's one-month celebration), worry about the red eggs and think about who I am inviting ... So just now in make-up, I was writing down who's going help me coordinate everything. Plus it's my second boy's birthday next month and he's so excited because he's turning three and he knows that's when he can start to watch TV. (Laughs)
But honestly, I have been doing this for 20-over years now. I had less time to sleep before, when I didn't even have time to think of myself at all. Especially at the start of my career. I used to tell myself, there are 365 days but I think I worked 368 days. I was always in tears when I got home and asked myself, "Why am I always so lonely all the time? I don't have friends, all I do is work work work."
Well, with two boys, another on the way, and a loving husband, you're not lonely anymore. Does Phillip help out, seeing as you're so busy?
Men are not so good with things like this, don't you think? (Laughs) He's also really busy with a lot of projects going on. So I try to get him to help take care of the kids during the weekend so I can rest properly and be more relaxed.
How about alone time with him? Do you guys have date nights?
Well, we just went for two movies - "Inception" and "Salt". Just the two of us, without the kids.
Ooh, movie dates. How romantic.
Romantic? (Laughs) Not at all! More like we both really wanted to watch the movies on the big screen! Not the same effect on a smaller TV screen, you know. (Smiles)
Maybe you can rate your priorities for us. Are you wife, mother or actress first?
Before I got married, I used to be actress and girlfriend first. I was actually single for a while and I was quite lonely. I am not the sort of person who can commit easily. So I am glad I found a husband that was really close to the qualities of the guys I like ...
Just close? Not all the qualities?
Almost, lah. It'll never be perfect, right? I think I am just really blessed. But now it is mother first. My responsibility as mother is more important than anything. I really enjoy spending time with my kids. As for being a wife, sometimes I try not to forget about it. (Laughs) I want to be his girlfriend - I don't want to be his wife! (Laughs again) Nicer to be a girlfriend, less responsibility. Jokes aside, there is a commitment to being a housewife. I need to make sure that everything in the house is taken care of. That it's clean and comfortable, and also take care of my husband's health. As wife, you must always make sure there's enough care and enough love ...
Wah, you sound very traditional.
I am very traditional. My priorities are also to be a good daughter and sister to my siblings, too. I am very lucky, because my mum stays with me. She takes care of me, but it means I can take care of her as well. I mean you start to realise, with age catching up, the importance of siblings. I've already lost one of my brothers and I realise that the bond is very important.
I thank my dad for putting so much emphasis on bonding. Since young, we were all very close to each other. And so I want to keep this relationship going. And I want to pass this message down to the second generation. It's important for my kids to know that blood is thicker than water and I prefer them to have more siblings so they know how to share.
Does this mean that the proverbial baby-making factory hasn't closed yet?
(Laughs) I don't think so, lah. You know, accidents happen. This one (points to her tummy) is not an accident - it was planned, but the timing was a surprise. If the fourth one were to come ... it would be a surprise.
And the fourth time you will try for a girl?
(Almost chokes with laughter) Ahh, I am not hoping for girls anymore. If it happens to be the fourth, it'll just happen naturally. But I am not crossing my fingers anymore for a girl. I really give up hope already! (Sighs)
- TODAY/il
|
