Ella Chen: I still have my own limits
Intimate scenes? No thanks, says S.H.E.’s Ella Chen
SINGAPORE — We are so used to seeing the members of Taiwanese girl group S.H.E. together that it’s sometimes easy to forget all three ladies — Selina Jen, Hebe Tien and Ella Chen — are excellent performers in their own right.
The most vivacious of the trio, 33-year-old Chen, has starred in several popular romantic comedies, including 2006’s Hanazakarino Kimitachihe and 2010’s Down With Love. This year, the hilarious star also released her debut solo album Why Not.
“The reason I am the last person (in S.H.E.) to release a solo album is because I was quite afraid. I couldn’t imagine what an Ella album would look like and I was already very satisfied with the work we did as a band. I really enjoy singing with Selina and Hebe,” said the Taiwanese singer-actress, who made an appearance at MediaCorp’s Star Awards last Sunday. “I am very used to it, so I’ve never thought about what I would sound like on my own.”
And even though Ella seemed more than capable handling the press on her own, it was clear during our interview that she would much rather have her bandmates around. “I think it is terribly scary to go on a promotional tour on my own because there are many things I have to remember to share. But my brain capacity is truly limited, which is why I sometimes have to pause so I can think a little before I continue speaking,” she quipped.
Q: You have some pretty cool tattoos in your new music video. Have you thought of getting a real one?
A: I’ve thought about getting a tattoo, but I didn’t really want it so much, so I didn’t go through with it. I’ve thought about putting my parents’ last names in a design that looks like a seal — I’ll have it designed using calligraphy so you can’t really see what words they are — and then I’ll stamp it on myself. Why? Because I am produced by my parents’ factory. And that will be proof! (Laughs)
Q: On Weibo, your husband described you as “fashionably flat-chested”. How do you feel about that?
A: (Pouts) I am already used to it. He often tells me he loves my flat chest. He thinks it is very fashionable and stylish. Too bad, he married a woman with such a flat chest! (Pretends to cry) But he says my score is quite high overall. I do have other merits!
Q: You’ve been married for a few years. Do you still try to look good at home or go completely barefaced?
A: Actually, I don’t really wear make-up outside work and I never used to, even when we were dating. The only time I do is when I get pimples. Then I will try to cover them a little before I head out.
Q: Would your husband object if you had to shoot intimate scenes?
A: Yes, he doesn’t want me to go overboard. But that’s also where my limits are. For example, (I wouldn’t agree to) French-kissing an actor or allow an actor to tear my clothes off so I appear nude on screen, or to caress my body. I can’t do that!
Q: Why not?
A: Even though (my album is called) Why Not, I need to have my own limits. My limits may not be the same as (those of) other people. I am married, so how can I face my parents-in-law when I go home? I would feel embarrassed. How would my parents feel if they see scenes like that? I can’t accept it myself, so I won’t go so far.
Ella’s Why Not is out in stores now.
Intimate scenes? No thanks, says S.H.E.’s Ella Chen
SINGAPORE — We are so used to seeing the members of Taiwanese girl group S.H.E. together that it’s sometimes easy to forget all three ladies — Selina Jen, Hebe Tien and Ella Chen — are excellent performers in their own right.
The most vivacious of the trio, 33-year-old Chen, has starred in several popular romantic comedies, including 2006’s Hanazakarino Kimitachihe and 2010’s Down With Love. This year, the hilarious star also released her debut solo album Why Not.
“The reason I am the last person (in S.H.E.) to release a solo album is because I was quite afraid. I couldn’t imagine what an Ella album would look like and I was already very satisfied with the work we did as a band. I really enjoy singing with Selina and Hebe,” said the Taiwanese singer-actress, who made an appearance at MediaCorp’s Star Awards last Sunday. “I am very used to it, so I’ve never thought about what I would sound like on my own.”
And even though Ella seemed more than capable handling the press on her own, it was clear during our interview that she would much rather have her bandmates around. “I think it is terribly scary to go on a promotional tour on my own because there are many things I have to remember to share. But my brain capacity is truly limited, which is why I sometimes have to pause so I can think a little before I continue speaking,” she quipped.
Q: You have some pretty cool tattoos in your new music video. Have you thought of getting a real one?
A: I’ve thought about getting a tattoo, but I didn’t really want it so much, so I didn’t go through with it. I’ve thought about putting my parents’ last names in a design that looks like a seal — I’ll have it designed using calligraphy so you can’t really see what words they are — and then I’ll stamp it on myself. Why? Because I am produced by my parents’ factory. And that will be proof! (Laughs)
Q: On Weibo, your husband described you as “fashionably flat-chested”. How do you feel about that?
A: (Pouts) I am already used to it. He often tells me he loves my flat chest. He thinks it is very fashionable and stylish. Too bad, he married a woman with such a flat chest! (Pretends to cry) But he says my score is quite high overall. I do have other merits!
Q: You’ve been married for a few years. Do you still try to look good at home or go completely barefaced?
A: Actually, I don’t really wear make-up outside work and I never used to, even when we were dating. The only time I do is when I get pimples. Then I will try to cover them a little before I head out.
Q: Would your husband object if you had to shoot intimate scenes?
A: Yes, he doesn’t want me to go overboard. But that’s also where my limits are. For example, (I wouldn’t agree to) French-kissing an actor or allow an actor to tear my clothes off so I appear nude on screen, or to caress my body. I can’t do that!
Q: Why not?
A: Even though (my album is called) Why Not, I need to have my own limits. My limits may not be the same as (those of) other people. I am married, so how can I face my parents-in-law when I go home? I would feel embarrassed. How would my parents feel if they see scenes like that? I can’t accept it myself, so I won’t go so far.
Ella’s Why Not is out in stores now.