Maggie Shiu Tricks Reporters (PART 1)

magifaye

Original Source: http://www.lifetv.com.my/node/21624?tid=z

MAGGIE SHIU TRICKS REPORTERS
2010-05-28 08:50

PART 1

This interview really left me flabbergasted.

The entire interview left me wondering if I should cry or laugh. I had to admit I am really inexperienced, like a baby learning how to sit up again.
While I am not familiar with Maggie Shiu, I had taken note of her works.

But I am sure I was utterly deceived by her aura, charisma and beauty.

Honestly, I did not dislike her as a result of this unusual interview. Instead, I started to admire her more.

Her candidness, confident attitude as well as her playful taunt (which was actually her way of setting one at ease to pave the way for a more comfortable communication) made her different. For all these traits, I gave her higher scores. Maggie Shiu is indeed a child at heart.

ANXIOUS TO WRAP UP AND GO

We usually only see Maggie through the roles she acted in various TVB dramas. In recent years, as she had portrayed roles of mainly outstanding career women with very strong and independent persona; Maggie Shiu, the archetype of the charismatic modern lady, had been entrenched deep in my mind.

However, during the interview at the press conference, what I saw was totally not what I had in mind; 30 mins before the interview, I could see her chatting and laughing with friends from the media until she turned red and teary! What was really happening?

The promotion crew was concerned and went forward to check out: “What happened? Is everything ok?” Those from the media in her company replied: “Ok! She is very funny. Her answers really provoked me. And she is really baffling…”

Oh I see….but I was actually quite disturbed and worried and in my heart, I was thinking: “The interview later should be quite “exciting”.” Just when this thought passed through my mind, I saw Maggie Shiu happily exclaiming: “Ok, can knock off.”

However, after 2 seconds, when the promoters informed her there was still one more interview to go, she pouted and said, “What, you cheated me, you said it ended already?” Then she turned to me and the cameraman and said: “What are you going to interview? Why not ask them (referring to the promotion crew)….”

In the end, Maggie was coaxed by the promotion team into the room and LifeTV.com.my completed the interview smoothly. Before the interview began, it has been already been so exciting and interesting. Wonder what will happen next.

PHOTOGRAPHER AND JOURNALIST ON A “STRING”

When the interview started, Maggie’s mood turned for the better and as she held a glass of drink in her hand, she was humming “Deng Deng Deng”… Was she drumming a prologue for herself?

As the media crew before us could not converse well in Cantonese, they had to interview her in Mandarin. The straightforward Maggie requested for a translator; and now I am in the same situation so I told her beforehand. In the end, she said it was ok and I could take my time. At this time, the photographer courageously said to her, “I can speak Cantonese very well because I am of Cantonese origin!”.

Maggie Shiu suspiciously retorted, “Really? But I still find your Cantonese sound inundated with the local accent. Are you from Hong Kong?”
The photographer replied, “No, I am a local Cantonese.”

Oh dear, she is so direct. Even the quick-minded photographer could barely beat her wit. How about me?

magifaye

http://www.lifetv.com.my/node/21624?tid=

MAGGIE SHIU TRICKS REPORTERS
2010-05-28 08:50


CHARISMATIC LADY TURNS CUTIE PIE

I frankly told her that I had all along thought she was a charismatic and independent lady. But now, I really had a different perspective of her. “So, what am I today?” Maggie responded so fast by posing me this question. I said, “Cute and gives me the feeling of a silly big sister.” She said mischievously: “Ha! Really? Attractive! So today, my image is a cute one.”

At this point, the photographers interrupted by requesting us to change our position so as to take a few shots. In the end, she muttered to herself, “Have to start the interview all over again, because I forgot what you asked me just now, ha…”

I asked her, “Have you always been taking on the role of the charismatic lady?” Her response was hilarious; her eyebrows were contoured, her big dark eyes were rolling actively and she was thinking hard before she replied, “Is it this kind of persona only?” She suddenly expressed with firmness in her eyes, “For me any roles will do! But, being the strong persona is not a bad thing. Being charismatic and beautiful but what is most important is to be healthy, this is good enough, thank you!”

In reality, was she molded by her onscreen persona? “It is better to be consistent!” Should not be so annoying! If the inner person and the exterior are not consistent, it would be tough. Can you show me how to have such inconsistency? Anyway, don’t think too much about others.” So what she meant is to be simple, is this so?

Maggie sincerely shared with me that she was not worried about being stereotyped in such roles as nothing is more important than being the real her. If she gets tired of acting the role, it would not be a bad thing to try another type, right? Surprisingly, Maggie replied coolly, “No! Because I cannot really control such matters. Whatever I am thinking may not necessarily be what  I could eventually achieve. So I might as well not think about it. I am contented as long as there are people inviting me to act in their productions.”

She added that she has another role as the director of Rejeune besides being an actress. “This role is to be serious in being a fit and healthy ambassador and there are many things I need to learn; even though it does not require filming, but I will share the information as there are many friends around asking me about beauty and health. My role is to spread the knowledge.”

ONE SHOULD BE MODEST

As a child, Maggie loved imitating the roles she watched in TV. She confidently agreed when I praise her for being talented: “I think I am intelligent!” Her face took a 360 degree change and in a pretended sob, she exclaimed, “Wow, how miserable, am I that strong?” Has she ever thought that she would join showbiz when she was young?  She said: “I have not grown up yet .......” Her answer stumped me and before I could respond, she immediately added in, “I had not thought of being a nurse before but at that time, I did become one since I had the chance!”

When she saw me pleading for help from the photographer, she became serious and expressed, “I don’t really like to think too much about matters. I just hope to live like now. I had learnt not to think too far ahead. What I mean is to think of what one is able to do within our ability will be good enough. For example, when I want to eat something, I will think of what I can afford. If you ask me about getting award, I am fine with any as this is beyond what I can determine! Right? That’s it!”

I asked, “Isn’t this very modest?” Maggie responded strongly, “Certainly not! I don’t have time to be modest! Modesty is not like this, whenever people commend you for something and you actually denied but in the heart you acknowledged this. “Modesty” is best written, do not act it out! It is important to have a modest attitude and it is not an act.”

CONTENTED TO ACT

Maggie has been in showbiz for over 20 years. Even then, there are are times of ups and downs…

“I feel that I had always been going uphill, no decline…, as I have to wake up every day.” Before I finished, she was drinking and interjecting with her mumbles. It seemed like she is really very self-assured.  

She said, “I am very confident because I have not fallen? …, no no, I have not really risen up, so how can I be going downhill?”
Goodness! What should I do?

In just five years of entering TVB, she rose to take on the first leading role after being cast in supporting roles. Was this fast or slow for her? Instead, Maggie quizzed me but before I could answer, she replied, “I did not think there are any differences and I do not understand what is meant by the first and second lead, Actually I have not thought about this issue. Moreover, I am also not sure what is meant by winning an award.  I guess it should be a happy occasion, to be recognized by others and more importantly ourselves. This is the main motivation for me to hope for an award. The best reward for me is a world tour!”

Therefore…, winning and losing is not important, being recognized is the crux. Miss Shiu, did you not just answer my question?

ACTUALLY THOUGHT OF DYING

In the interview, Maggie revealed that she actually wanted to die and in a healthy and beautiful state. Having been in the entertainment industry for so long, she certainly already achieved fame and fortune. Initially, we thought that in real life, besides business and fame, what would complete her life would be a companion. Little did I expect her answer to be DEATH.  

“Don’t you think this is good? Everyone must go through this stage .......”

I asked her wouldn’t it be too early to think of dying now?  

I thought that I had aggravated her when she growled at me, roar ' You are the one who asked me to think about this right?”

The photographer mediated by asking her, “Besides dying, what else do you wish for?”

“That is to end all work for today. The best is to finish this interview.”

In a helpless tone, I asked her, “Then can I continue with the interview?”

She agreed in a calm manner, with no hint of any displeasure.

Its true I asked her to think. But nobody has answered me this way.  Besides, human tendency is to keep living and not wishing for death. Isn’t she too pessimistic to think like this?

HEALTH IS VERY IMPORTANT

Having experienced bouts of poor health, Maggie Shiu is deeply aware of the importance of being healthy. She frankly said that before she experienced health problems, she did not really know how to gain sufficient rest.

She said, “Actually, time is in our hands to plan and buy out. If you do not know how to manage time well and allocate for work and rest appropriately, then this will make you fall sick. If you know how to use your time well, do what you need to do, then such problems will not happen.”

I really could not fathom what Maggie Shiu is thinking so I asked, “Is there anything that can describe you aptly?”

She pretended to be upset and acted as if she wanted to throw the Mic, “Nothing can replace me! I am not replaceable. Are you trying to make me think again by asking this question? Then you ask the next question! I will let you know the answer the next time.”

I really surrender! Isn’t an interview like that! Strange.

Finally, I asked her if she felt that she had been successful. She replied remarkably, “I think I can be even more successful, in this way I can do better than present and be happier. For now, I don’t think I am successful, I don’t even know what defines success. If I am healthy and alive, that should count as a success.”

The interview ended with her incoherent mumble in which only the word ‘death’ being audio able.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW: RUSHING TO STOP WORK

When the interview ended, she raised her hands and cheered, “Work has ended!”

Actually, she really wanted to end her work for the day. I stood at a corner watching her prancing about happily and stuck my head out of the door to check out…(what could be the reason).

I probably understood why she was bawling to end work. Perhaps she does not want to make Kenny Wong wait too long? The moment she rushed out through the door, she dashes towards the company of Kenny and her business partners and started to dodge us.

She left us to the aftermath of the interview, with only two promoters to ‘comfort’ us in our ‘trauma’. I am not disgruntled but instead I really appreciated Maggie. She is one of the very few entertainers who is so frank and at ease with herself. Maggie is definitely my first strong ‘opponent’ and even though I felt played out by her, I am grateful to gain a lesson in understanding a Chinese saying that expresses how I feel – My skill pales in comparison to the extraordinary wisdom of the experienced person - Maggie Shiu.

Trista

English

shaw_mag

Wow, Faye, you made it! Thx!

This is probably the hardest one to translate.

倩婉

英語小白的我來過！

MsTeresa

Keep up the good work magifaye!

hyppie

wowow good job Faye

somehow i really really like this article, get to know more about Maggie. She seems to be very direct, straightforward and i like her sense of humor.

magifaye

Ya she is so funny. The reporter is too uptight.

Shaw - Thanks for yr encouragement. This article was tough but really helped me learn my mother tongue abit better. Hardly write chinese in normal work.

雪尔薇雅

很多看不懂 后悔爱国不学好英语了

charmed

Thank you Faye

Her bluntness is probably what throws some people but at the same time it endears her to others.