Maddy Barber, Aileen Tan, Inch Chua & Victoria Loke Share Their Hopes & Dreams For 2019

"This year will be… hopeful" - Maddy Barber, Kiss92 FM Deejay

Credit: Photo: Nicky Loh

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If you missed hearing the soothing tones of Maddy Barber on the radio during your morning commute, then rest assured that you are not alone. The bubbly personality was sorely missed during her time away from the radio waves but she explains why the break was necessary.

“2018 was rough, that’s why I needed a sabbatical. My dad passed away and I took over my company, Madly Gems, again so it was challenging trying to juggle everything and I was really burnt out,” says the go-getting mother-of-two.

“This year I want to make time to make a more intimate connection with women who are struggling in areas that I myself have been through. It’s always been my wish to chair more speaking engagements but I haven’t followed through so in 2019, that’s what I’m going to work towards.”

Being kinder to herself is also on the agenda as Maddy strives to focus on what she has rather than on what she’s lost. Thankful for all the blessings that have come her way, the public persona reveals that she is scheduled to be back on air in early January.

“The resolution I’ve always had every year is to travel more and visit one new country that I’ve never been to,” Maddy reveals. “I want to see where life will lead me because it can’t be any worse than 2018 so I’m just going to let life take me by the hand.”

Maddy wears Dress from Bimba Y Lola; Heels from Charles & Keith; Earrings from State Property; Ring from Madly Gems.

"This year will be… adventurous" - Inch Chua, Singer-Songwriter

Credit: Photo: Nicky Loh

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Having braved Antarctica’s icy cold habitat during a month-long expedition there last year, Inch is looking forward to translating the experience at her solo theatre show No Man’s Land in April.

“I’ll address climate issues with the work itself. We’ve been told ‘Reuse, Reduce, Recycle’ ever since we were young, so I guess the real question is why haven’t we figured it out yet by now? My show will address this human condition,” says Inch, who was also one of four recipients of the Singapore Youth Award 2018.

“The play will be a musical but I like to call it an anti-musical. Eventually what ends up in the show will become part of my album and I hope to tour after that.”

For a self-confessed workaholic, Inch admits that she slowed down somewhat last year but she’s hoping to ramp things up over the next 12 months.

“A personal goal for me is to pick up sailing. I also hope to do a 21-day wilderness survival thing, Bear Grylls-style,” she reveals. “What I really want to focus on this year is also a little bit more self-care, a little bit more healing so I can learn to be happy in my own skin.”

Inch wears Top from H&M; Jeans from Sandro; Sneakers from Maje; Earrings and Necklace from State Property.

"This year will be… blessed" - Aileen Tan, Actress

Credit: Photo: Nicky Loh

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“I’m already dead,” declares Aileen Tan when asked if she’ll be reprising her role as Zhao Di in Jack Neo’s rumoured third installment of the Long Long Time Ago films. While the actress says she isn’t sure when filming will start, she has discussed her future in the franchise with the director.

“Jack says he’s going to bring me back but I don’t know how because I died of cancer in the previous films. I suffered a lot for him already so he owes me,” says the 1988 Star Search runner-up with a sly smile.

“Career-wise, this year I’m looking for more challenging and meatier characters to play but my dream role would be on Yangxi Palace,” she confesses.

“I’ve been acting for 30 years but never in something of that scale so I’m hoping I can secure a place in it. I don’t even mind if I get a role with no dialogue, I just want to look pretty as an Empress or concubine.”

On the personal front, Aileen is hoping for health and happiness in the year ahead. “I truly believe that age is just a number, I live one day at a time. So, my resolution is to take care of my health and take care of my wellbeing.”

Aileen wears Top by COS; Trousers by Tory Burch; Shoes by H&M; Earrings by Bimba Y Lola.

"This year will be… industrious" - Victoria Loke, Actress

Credit: Photo: Nicky Loh

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Her turn as Fiona Cheng in last summer’s breakout film, Crazy Rich Asians, was a role that budding actresses the world over would kill for.

That it should go to someone with relatively little professional screen experience is testament to the draw that Victoria Loke has.

“I actually read for the role of Kitty Pong [played by Fiona Xie] so I was surprised to get Fiona instead because I didn’t read for it but I’m so happy with how it turned out. A few US agencies reached out to me afterwards so I hope to do more international work now that I have a team representing me,” says Victoria.

“Now that I’ve done this big commercial motion picture, I’m hoping to do something less mainstream on the festival circuit that will challenge me more as an actor. I dream very big so I would love for a film where I’m the lead actress to win an award like ‘Best Picture’, that would be when I would consider myself successful as an actor.”

Advocacy is something else Victoria has on her mind now that she has a more visible platform. She’s currently working on an ongoing art series called #Asian Girl, which tackles issues like the problematic depiction of Asian women in the West.

Victoria wears Dress from H&M; Heels by Maje; Rings and Bangle by State Property.