“It’s really a really current (resolution), and due to this new collab with Walter, we determined to begin with a clear slate and do one thing kinda dangerous however daring and courageous, so we wiped my total IG and are ranging from scratch,” she defined.
Being a public determine on social media comes with its personal set of challenges. From being judged primarily based on appearances to fixed comparisons with different artistes, Rui En has additionally skilled her personal journey of progress, and is studying to be comfy with being within the limelight aside from her on-screen appearances.
YOU MENTIONED THE STRESS THAT CAME WITH SELF-MANAGING, TELL US MORE ABOUT HOW THE EXPERIENCE WAS FOR YOU.
My gosh, I can not even describe it. Think about having the whole lot finished for you, after which having to study that from scratch. It wasn’t simple, I had a number of meltdowns and I had (moments) the place I used to be like, “I can’t do that anymore”. It was a extremely steep studying curve for me.
I’d say I’m pleased with myself for really making an attempt, and doing one thing so scary, however yeah, finally I reached some extent the place I actually needed somebody to assist me. It’s half and parcel of what I do and it could be good to have assist. I just lately advised Walter that I felt like there was nobody in my nook for a very long time, and I felt actually alone. I’m at all times grateful to him for approaching board and taking a bit little bit of that burden off.
YOU SAID THAT YOU WANT TO USE YOUR NEW CONTENT TO “INSPIRE AND PROVOKE CONVERSATIONS AROUND MENTAL HEALTH”. HOW DO YOU PLAN TO DO THAT, AND WILL YOU BE SHARING PERSONAL EXPERIENCES?
I’ve at all times been sharing slightly susceptible issues relating to psychological well being on my web page as a result of my ardour is advocacy for psychological well being. That’s not gonna cease, I’m simply gonna have extra professionally taken images and movies to inform that story and knowledgeable crew behind me.
The one new factor might be the short-form movies we’ll be doing. It is a new collab so we’re nonetheless brainstorming about what route we need to take and the methods we will maximise this platform to get the psychological well being (message) throughout.
Walter was like, “Hey, psychological well being assist contains entertaining folks with the content material, so we’ve got to do humorous movies”. The quick reels that we do are type of like TikToks, so already he’s pushing me out of my consolation zone. However I’m trying ahead to that. I’m an entertainer, so in fact I’m not gonna be doing something too loopy or slapstick, however I’m trying ahead to displaying followers a unique aspect of me. I suppose they will additionally take it as one thing that helps my psychological well being as a result of I’m much less careworn and anxious.
DO YOU FEEL IT’S A PITY, HAVING TO ERASE SO MANY YEARS’ WORTH OF MEMORIES AND CONTENT?
You’ll suppose that after three years of placing effort into content material and wiping it (I’d really feel that method), however I don’t. Most individuals use IG as an archive or form of like an image diary, however for me, not a lot. It has at all times been a platform the place I can attain out to my followers and followers and share concerning the stuff I’m enthusiastic about.
AS A PUBLIC FIGURE, YOU’RE INEVITABLY JUDGED BY YOUR LOOKS. DO YOU THINK THE INDUSTRY OR THE AUDIENCE IS STILL TOO SHALLOW IN ITS PERCEPTION OF HOW LEADING ACTORS SHOULD LOOK?
I believe that it might be a slightly normal form of factor – which doesn’t solely apply to native audiences – the place there’s a stereotype of what constitutes a lead actress, like they should be younger or skinny.
If you happen to have a look at the US, you’ve Meryl Streep and older actresses in main roles. I hope our leisure business or native dramas can go (in that route) the place you’ve (quite a lot of portrayals). I wouldn’t essentially name it shallow or narrow-minded, however there’s room or extra space to develop a form of extra (discerning) style…
The very fact of the matter is that we’re telling tales of the human situation, and people are very fascinating and there are numerous methods during which they appear. There are various tales to be advised. So I hope that it does go in that route.
HOW DO YOU HOPE TO CHANGE THAT?
Perhaps some folks suppose that actresses and actors have much more energy and authority than they do, however I do suppose that it’s an business factor. For instance, if you need main roles that function older ladies, that has to begin with the story and script. Actually by the point I’m forged, the story and script are in place. It isn’t one thing that I can essentially management however it’s one thing that I want and pray would occur. I believe that ladies of their 40s, 50s, and 60s – they’ve so many tales to be advised. I’d like to see extra of that.
DO COMMENTS ABOUT YOUR LOOKS GET TO YOU? HOW DO YOU COPE WITH THAT?
I believe in Singapore, we’ve got it lots simpler than in China or Korea. However as a public determine who has been doing this a very long time, there must be a sure degree of acceptance that irrespective of the way you look, there are going to be feedback. I believe I’ve made peace with that truth. After all, it stings as a result of I’m human, however I believe the entire being within the limelight and goal of such feedback has helped me develop within the sense that I’m able to be okay with myself unbiased of these feedback. To a sure extent, I recognize the realm of it that has made me develop. However typically, I really feel like for those who’re a public determine you need to be accepting of that truth.
HAVE YOU EVER TRIED TO CHANGE THE WAY YOU LOOK BECAUSE OF OTHERS’ COMMENTS?
To be very sincere, I believe the entire monologue from Barbie is so correct – it’s not possible to be a girl.
The humorous half about leisure and showbiz is that lots of people continually have opinions about the best way you must look. That has been my expertise since I actually obtained found, began appearing, and went to Taiwan to launch an album. The messaging is that you simply’re continually not sufficient and it’s taken me a very long time to have the ability to not have my self-worth tied to that.
It’s been a troublesome journey as a result of if you end up a product and you might be within the public eye there’s this fixed “it’s essential do that or look that method”. It’s taken me a very long time to understand that (there’s) Rui En the individual and Rui En the celeb, which is sort of a product. They should be unbiased of one another and I’ve to just accept that that is an business the place aesthetics are necessary, however it doesn’t imply that if any individual feels I ought to enhance one thing then I tie my self-worth to that.
It’s not simple to do this, and who’s gonna be ok with themselves in the event that they’re continually by no means sufficient. Over the previous few years, I’ve been engaged on that and I can’t even say I’m there like “Hey, I’m not affected”.
HAVE YOU EVER BEEN TOLD THAT YOU SHOULD LOOK BETTER?
Oh completely, on a regular basis. Properly, I attempt to be simply gracious and be like “Thanks for this suggestions or opinion”. I’ve to just accept the business is what it’s and the one factor I can management is how I react to it. And I attempt to do my finest lah.
This story was initially published in 8Days.