With her effervescent charm and rapidly rising profile, Singapore celebrity Fiona Xie is a force of nature and she’s about to take the New Year by storm. Ready to find out more about what this local sweetheart will be up to in 2019? She talks Crazy Rich Asians, her role in the sequel, what’s up with her love life and gives us an inside scoop into all things Fiona:
Watch this video:
READ MORE:
See The Incredible Before-And-After Photos Of Quan Yi Fong’s Home Reno
10+ Celebrity Couples With HUGE Age Differences Between Them
Maddy Barber, Aileen Tan, Inch Chua & Victoria Loke Share Their Hopes & Dreams For 2019
In ripped denim shorts and a casual white high-necked blouse, her hair a long blunt bob, Fiona Xie does not bear much resemblance to Kitty Pong when we meet at a photo studio in Bukit Merah where her cover shoot is taking place.
But in her rapid yet thoughtful response to my question about the money-grabbing sexpot character she takes on its last year’s breakout film Crazy Rich Asians, Fiona shows just how much she consideration she took before accepting the role.
“I’m not like Kitty at all. I’ve said before that I think I’m always the life of the party like Kitty but without her loose morals. They couldn’t offer us pieces from our wardrobe to keep after the movie wrapped up because it had to go into archive but I wouldn’t want any of Kitty’s clothes anyway. Yuck,” the actress says in between squeals of laughter.
“I ran away from this role initially because I didn’t want any controversy surrounding my career but I’m glad I took it up in the end. I’ve read the books so I sort of knew that she would blossom into something more than what you seen on screen in the first movie.”
It’s no wonder then that the 36-year-old put so much though into her portrayal but Fiona has her work cut out for her if she reprises the role in the film’s sequel, China Rich Girlfriend, which sees Kitty take on a major plotline.
“She becomes more graceful in the second book and she showcases more vulnerabilities so it’ll be interesting to see how her story pans out,” she admits.
Fiona turns coy though when prodded on the status of her involvement in the second screen adaptation of Kevin Kwan’s trilogy of books.
“I can only that they are working on the script right now so we’ll see what happens. I will share a funny story with you though; I was at a dinner sitting next to Joseph Tsai who is the co-founder of Alibaba, and we joked that Jack Ma should be in the movie because my lover in the book is called Jack Bing so he could be in it before me,” she teases.
“Next year seems like it will be quite an interesting year. It could go in any way. In general though, I’m just happy to be part of such a historic moment in film. You never dream about being part of something like Crazy Rich Asians, so it’s quite heartwarming and humbling at the same time. I have to pinch myself and ask ‘Is this real?’”
Going from small time actress into the big leagues was a huge step for Fiona but she’s had plenty of practice over the span of her acting career. Making her debut at just 19-years-old, she made a lasting impression as a pigtail-sporting magical being in 2001’s My Genie.
She followed that up with The Champion in 2004, which saw her cement her status as a total babe. In 2007, she got regional exposure in Hong Kong film Rule #1 before making the abrupt decision to leave showbiz behind altogether just a few years later. The downtime allowed her to recharge and travel the globe before making another about-turn back to acting after a seven-year hiatus.
“I never thought of coming back! Life takes really interesting turns so I’ve learnt to just embrace it fully whatever turns it takes and just go head long into it I suppose because the best is yet to be,” says Fiona.
“Last year really paved the way for the next stage of my career, it was an explosion of opportunities and more doors opening for me so 2019 is going to be about riding that wave onto some rolling good times. So, next year I’m looking forward to growing the seeds that I’ve sowed and harvesting them.”
What exactly the dynamic actress will be harvesting is shrouded in some mystery but she did divulge that travelling for work is on the agenda, with the US cities of Los Angeles and New York forming the bulk of her planned trips out of Singapore.
“I’ve got a Netflix special coming out that’s more of a docu-series based on Singapore. Netflix is shown in something like 120 countries so it’s a nice platform to showcase our country. Apart from that, a lot of what will happen for me in 2019 is all confidential stuff but every year is an opportunity for self-growth; and with Crazy Rich Asians, that journey has only just begun.”
Fiona shares her most special memories of Crazy Rich Asians:
Red-carpet Glam
Fiona wore a Jessicacindy gown to the movie’s Los Angeles premiere.
Second Chances:
“May I blossom under Jon M Chu’s amazing leadership”
Fab locations:
The famous wedding scene shot at Chijmes.
The High Life:
Channeling her inner Kitty Pong on vacation.
Fashion Direction: Janice Pidduck
Photos: Joel Lim, Calibre Pictures
Styling: Lauren Alexa Chan
Hair: David Gan,Passion Salon
Makeup: Andy Lee using Shiseido Makeup