Mirror mirror on the wall, which lost Princess will we miss most of all? TAN KEE YUN charts the short-lived careers of the would-be Ah Jies who left MediaCorp this year
1. FELICIA CHIN
FELICIA Chin, currently a full-time business administration student at the National University of Singapore, has always embraced the 'Seven Princesses' title that was bestowed upon her by the media.
'I think it has always been a rather pretty tag,' the 26-year-old said.
'But the important thing is, all (seven) of us recognise ourselves as individuals.'
When Chin announced her decision to quit in May to pursue her studies, she knew many her fans were deeply upset.
After all, the popular actress truly had the potential to be the next Caldecott Hill Queen a la Zoe Tay and Fann Wong.
'Some don't say it out loud, but I can see (the disappointment) in their eyes and the notes they write to me,' she said.
'Many of them have grown up with me over the years... Hopefully, when they see me hitting the books now, they'll be spurred on to study hard as well.'
While her 'top priority' is to ace her exams, Chin added that she has been 'very fortunate to continue receiving good scripts', such as of Channel U telemovie Love50%, which airs this Sunday night at 9pm.
She said: 'I still have great working ties with (MediaCorp). We have a close relationship.'
2. JESSECA LIU
JESSECA Liu is the first to admit she felt 'quite lost' when she was with MediaCorp.
'I was working very hard, yet I felt I wasn't going anywhere,' admitted the 31-year-old Malaysian actress, who quit in March.
She is now signed to regional talent management company H.I.M International, but doesn't feel her exit is anyone's loss.
'I don't think I'll be missing out on any meaty roles... In the past, when I was working full-time at MediaCorp, I also didn't get the chance to be involved in big, major productions,' she said.
'Right now, I feel that life is more stable. Besides local and Malaysian dramas, I am exploring opportunities to act in Taiwanese series as well.'
3. DAWN YEOH
ACTRESS Dawn Yeoh's departure from MediaCorp is still shrouded in mystery and confusion.
The 24-year-old reportedly failed to extend her contract last December because of ongoing disagreements between her and her on-off Japanese manager Toba Takashi.
However, he painted another picture to the media in March, explaining that 'all is well' between them, and that Yeoh just wanted to to 'rest and focus on her family'.
Since her showbiz sabbatical, she has stayed away from the limelight, appearing only on selected variety programmes and taking on a small role in Huang Yiliang's upcoming movie My Ghost Partner.
Yeoh told Channel NewsAsia last month: 'You still don't get to see me on TV, at least not so soon... It's definitely got to do with my contract issues with my previous manager.'
Yeoh did not take our calls, but one hopes this cutie-pie Princess will get her chance to shine again once her problems are put to rest.
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