Picture this. You’re a new single mother just about to enter the Singapore entertainment spotlight. Where do you start, what do you do but most importantly, what comes first – your child or your new time-demanding career?
We are getting the chills just thinking about it!
But one woman has managed to rise above it all and today, is a successful, remarried, mother of two. Who is this?
She is none other than Singapore celebrity, Amy Cheng who is married to R.Chandran, founder-director of Act 3 Theatrics, with whom she has a seventh-month old baby, Jivan Wei. Amy also has an 11 year old son, Joshua, from her first marriage.
TheAsianparent.com sat down with Amy to find out about marriage, motherhood and what lies in the future for her.
Marriage
TheAsianParent (TAP): From a single mother to happily married with two sons. How has the transition been?
Amy Cheng: Well, for one thing, when it comes to handling responsibilities, I’m learning to say “us” instead of “me”. My husband always reminds me that I don’t have to carry the whole world on my shoulders now. Looking back, I’m glad to have come out of the emotionally turbulent past and am so grateful for what I have now.
TAP: You saw your parents divorce. Then, it happened to you. Was there ever a moment when you thought to yourself that perhaps, marriages were a thing of the past?
Amy Cheng : Oh yes, definitely!
TAP: We have come a long way from primitive times when society frowned upon women who were divorced or even widowed. Women today have more choices in terms of picking their life up and starting anew, be it socially or career-wise. What advice would you give women who feel everything goes when the marriage ends?
Amy Cheng: There is a rainbow at the end of a torrent.
Motherhood
TAP: Joshua has been the only child for a decade. How has he adjusted to Jivan’s arrival?
Amy Cheng: He has been a great help to us by always looking out for his younger brother.
TAP: How have you been juggling work with motherhood so far, especially with the latest addition?
Amy Cheng: It important to have great help around when I’m working – I know that my children are in good hands.
TAP: How has motherhood changed you?
Amy Cheng: I am more organized, yet also somewhat more forgetful. My arm muscles have grown stronger and I am becoming more of a comedian (this skill comes from having to make funny faces to get your child to eat, keep still while you’re changing his diapers, etc.)
TAP: What has been the most important thing that motherhood has taught you?
Amy Cheng: How fragile and precious life is.
The Industry
TAP: You took a brave step as a single mother with a baby in tow and entered the entertainment scene. What problems did you face and how did you find the strength to do so?
Amy Cheng: Initially, I had to overcome to overcome my own insecurities about who I am in comparison with the younger actors. I also had to ask myself if this is what I really wanted to do because I also have a child to support. I have been so blessed that opportunities came which allowed me to support the two of us otherwise I would have given it up. I also met wonderful people along the way who gave me courage to follow this path. In particular Andrew Seow who played my husband in ‘Growing Up’. He became a mentor of sorts to me when I first started acting.
TAP: You and your husband have been in the media for a good period of time now. You have seen the ups and downs. What advice would you give your sons, should they plan on entering the local entertainment scene?
Amy Cheng: Are you sure you want to do this?! On a more serious note, I would lay out all the sacrifices one needs to make in entering this profession and be honest about the tough competition out there. If they still believe it’s their calling, I won’t stand in their way.
TAP: Television, hosting, theatre and now a budding children’s book author and illustrator. How does each role define you?
Amy Cheng : They are all different creative expressions which come from the same source of wanting to create and share the magic of story-telling.
TAP: What’s on Amy Cheng’s plate for the future?
Amy Cheng: Who knows what the future will bring, just enjoy today!
Catch Amy in Mio TV’s Mom-on-Demand where she is hosting ‘Woman’s Guide To…’, and MediaCorp Channel 5’s upcoming ‘Polo Boys’ and ‘Perfect Deception’!