[13] Intending to take a year of sabbatical, she instead applied for a job at a private equity firm after spending two months in Paris, France. But what about allocating a portion of your income towards upgrading yourself? Today, she is proud to be the author of her own destiny, who is finally comfortable in her own skin. So I didn't go for that treatment.". Tell me why you depressed. Fraught with despair over her unexpected death, Sharon continued to deliver a stunning performance. I considered quitting my job and returning to Singapore, reveals Sharon during YES 933s Gu De Dai Zai Jia (directly translated as Good Stay Home), a celebrity interview segment that was streamed live on Facebook yesterday (Apr 29). Sharon Markwick joined Argo as a receptionist in 1985 and during her 35 years with the Company has undertaken a number . She said: "I forgot myself ina meeting and started sharing my ideas excitedly and I got told off for it. This is further endorsed when she clinched the Star Awards for Best Variety Show Host for four consecutive years from 2000 to 2003. I got $95 on that day. The precocious child, who despite a turbulent upbringing, did exceedingly well academically. And you can't beat me at Scrabble. Dont Neglect Succession Planning, Manulife Singapore Offers Digital Payments Via PayNow, FWD Insurance Launches Electronic Claims Payments via PayNow, 1-Michelin-Starred Marguerite Shines With an Invigorating Spring Menu. She recalls working completely insane hours, not even having enough time to pause for dinner. They took everything I love. At some pointin our adolescence, some of us may have run away from home before. There is another side to Sharon that sets her apart from many of her peersher sharp business acumen. You deserve it." In Money Money Home, Sharon and actor-host Darren Lim . She also said that she has moderate scoliosis since young, and needs a medical bed at home for her spinal condition. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. Read this subscriber-only article for free! I think I just got tired, so I tried the other way of life where you stopped pushing yourself. I was put on a pedestal and became too full of myself. Her perspective on her career underwent an adjustment. I began to like myself more when I didnt have to please people. The moment Sharon arrived in Paris, she crashed with a university schoolmate and slept on her couch. "Life is all about connections. Sharon Au is re-evaluating her life in Paris after her apartment was robbed on April 30, . [embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/CdaXBV6MXJp/[/embed]. She returned to MediaCorp to serve her scholarship bond upon graduation in 2011, taking up an office executive position. As long as [you] havent reach menopause, its still possible (sic), one netizen wrote. For Darren, the father-of-four has been into watercolour painting, playing the celloand pottery. She declined to comment on the burglary and extent of the break-in as she is "not well enough yet at this point". Starting from zero. This article is now fully available for you, Please verify your e-mail to read this subscriber-only article in full. Destroy your reputation. According to Ms Au, the chairman had seen her work and was impressed by her. Since then Sharon has changed 5 companies and 5 roles. And she does not deny that she has becomevastly different from the Sharon Au that people knew. Former Mediacorp actress and host Sharon Au shared a short message on her Instagram on October 15, musing about her biggest regret. It is pointless to keep anger.. Ms Au and Mediacorp released statements announcing her resignation back in 2018. Or perhaps Picasso, in all his cubism glory, might do a better job. But case in point exactly. I was really such a coward. PHOTO: SHARON AU/INSTAGRAM, Shane Pow, Pornsak and Kang Chengxi were robbed in the US, Actor Desmond Tan robbed of mobile phone in Bali. During her teenage days, she had spent a night in Marymount Girls Home and witnessed many girls in dismal circumstances. I spoke to [my mum about coming back] and she said 'don't be silly! leading the company from a start-up operation to become Australia's largest investment manager. Her death made me realise how fragile life was. In an intimate corner space away from prying eyes, Sharon launches into the story of the first time she ran away from home with great zeal. Having joined the TCS during the mid-1990s, she won many awards as an artiste with MediaCorp before taking a sabbatical to pursue university education in 2005 on a scholarship. A far cry from the Sharon who had a reputation for being a workaholic. The gift link for this subscriber-only article has expired. [7] In the same year; she played the female lead, Madam Kwa Geok Choo, in The LKY Musical, alongside actor Adrian Pang, for 37 shows in the Marina Sands Theatre. 1 of 2 People were convinced that she had a terminal illness of some sort, hence the drop-everything-and-move-to-Paris decision. favourite artist is Rembrandt, who is a symbol of freedom. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 Au took a break during the peak of her career and went to Japan for her undergraduate studies in 2005 in the School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University in Tokyo on a MediaCorp scholarship. The painting is dominated by a wooden spiral staircase and depicts two figures in a dark room. In April 2011, she went back to MediaCorp to serve her 6-year bond. He ceaselessly searched for new stylistic modes of expression much like how Sharon has been working on the latest version of herself that she likes best. You never know maybe I already had the virus because [before the lockdown in France] I still went to concerts. Au is multilingual, as she speaks English, Chinese, Japanese, French and basic Spanish. The erstwhile TV host is not only garrulous but also adept at the art of storytelling. Seems like she isn't taking it that slow just yet. . I got home, switched on my laptop, andtyped outmy resignation letter., Sharon Au relocated to Paris after leaving Mediacorp. "And when I feel good and rejuvenated, I know I'll be ready for tomorrow.". Since then, Au has treasured the "second chance" to embrace life again. His paintings transformed from the early "smooth" manner of polished contours to the late "rough" treatment of richly variegated paint surfaces, using hog-bristle brushes, which was uncharacteristic of that era. On reflection, the biggest regret I have is probably not having children and experiencing motherhood. About We Are Hiring I eat very normal food so that I can stretch my cash as long as possible.". She said: "When people think of Paris, they think about Michelin [Star restaurants]. But Sharon doesnt like Picasso. Agreeing that self-improvement should be classed as a 'need' rather than a 'want', Sharon revealed that she's been investing in yoga and pilates classes, as well as on music lessons and musical instruments. These days, Au lives in Paris with her beloved cat Rudon and works as an investment director in a private equity firm. Tokyo was fun, as I could have the childhood I never had. Putting up such a front made Au question if she was really that happy all the time, and whether she had lost sight of herself. ", ALSO READ:Darren Lim turns his yacht into a business opportunity, takes people out on rides. Unless youre the anti-virus, dont come back.. In Paris, I was able to dive deep into my psyche and I got to know myself all over again. 2023 High Net Worth All rights reserved. I didnt know what I was doing. There are striking parallels between her (older self) and the great painter. In 2017, she was appointed as the publisher for ELLE Singapore as part of Mediacorps move from print to digital. The first figure is an old man seated with his head bowed and the second figure is an inconspicuous woman at the fireplace in a corner, tending to the fire. But she told The Straits Times that she resigned from her position after the burglary and is currently not working or looking for a new job. Responsible for: - Australia & New Zealand sales & client businesses. But alas, that too is coming to an end. Even when the COVID-19 pandemic worsened around the world and Singapores Ministry of Foreign Affairs was making arrangements to fly Singaporeans back, Sharon decided to stay put. After all, self-love is the best kind of love. My mum never once showed that she panicked, neither was she hysterically asking me to fly home like the parents of my friends. Running away has always been Sharons source of comfort, a constant theme in her life that she has grown to be familiar with. ", She added: "Took me 11 days to pen this note, without crying. After her resignation, she movedto Paris because she wanted to start afreshbut no one there would hire her. Hosted by deejays Zhong Kunhua and Nico Weibin, local and overseas celebrity guests share snippets of their lives on the radio show and how they have been keeping busy during the lockdown. "We were supposed to go back to work after the meeting but I don't know why, I just walked away and couldn't stop, and I ended up going home and crying on the way back. Au: I studied there for six years, so I've gotten used to it, very different. Quiet Inlet, a sweet Kayuki cocktail, is a popular choice of drug, but today, Sharon is happy sipping water. "Aggressive" and "ambitious" were the words Au used to describe herself. No, no, no. She followed instructions, took direction well, but had little autonomy over her actions much like a marionette. Then, Singapore was the third country to report cases of the coronavirus and was one of the worst-hit outside China, so the former actress-host, who now works as an investment director in a private equity firm in Paris, was understandably worried for her mum back home. Au also posted an Instagram story featuring what appears to be a police officer - in a uniform sporting the French words "identite judiciaire" (forensic services) - conducting investigations inside her apartment, while her cat looks on. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. I wish every day is October. Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us. Richard Kennedy Head of Compliance & Operational Risk Control. A post shared by Sharon Au (@sharonau13) on Apr 23, 2018 at 11:39pm PDT. Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox. Tokyo was fun, as I could have the childhood I never had. The former actress-host moved to the City of Love in 2018 and had been working as an investment director in a private equity firm. Thankfully, she eventually found a competent counsellorin April 2012 one that was recommended by her mother, who had grown increasingly desperate when Au did not get any better. | Humble beginnings While her country of residence is now Paris, Au's roots go back to a humble kampung in Serangoon. latest entertainment, celebrity, food and lifestyle news! Copyright 2020 Mothership. When I ask for the reason behind her move, she pauses before replying:I disliked myself in Singapore, because it was all about advancing my career. But since her Japan and Paris escapades, she is recognising the importance of writing her own narrative. The 45-year-old recalled the day she. And, for once, Sharon has seen the light. In a post dated the 11th of May, Au recounted the harrowing experience, where "they took everything [she] love [d]", leaving her with "nothing now". Unless its fries. Others also showed their support for Sharons choice, with one netizen writing: There are many ways to 'be' a mother and many little ones who would be blessed by your presence in their lives. It's a milestoneand you've worked so hard. Health Care, Managed Care, Behavioral Health and Health IT. It takes courage, strength, self-awareness to break away from the comfort of familiarity, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Coming back to Singapore proved to be a blow for Au. And all of this began when she was only in primary school. . Live where you fear to live. He said: "Whenever I have time, I think it's very important to invest in myself. Sharon didn't go into details about the meeting, including its purpose or who was present, but the last positions she held prior to her departure wereas the publisher for Elle Singapore and the lead of styleXstyle.com. With more time on her hands, Sharon got reacquainted with her artistic side and started to write a lot. It brought her back to the past and reopened long-buried wounds. We were supposed to go back to work after the meeting but I dont know why, I just walked away and couldnt stop, and I ended up going home and crying on the way back. But when former local celebrity Sharon Au shared her ideas passionately at work, she was"scolded for it". [15], Learn how and when to remove this template message, "Sharon Au Wanted To Quit Paris Job And Return To Take Care Of Mum When COVID-19 Broke Out", "Sharon Au's Journey From Cabin Crew To Business Class Passenger", "Local actress and host Sharon Au quits Mediacorp after 22 years", "SEA Games: Host Sharon Au apologises for insensitive remarks during opening ceremony", "Sharon Au to play Mrs Lee Kuan Yew opposite Adrian Pang in The LKY Musical", "TV host Sharon Au: Wearing this outfit makes me feel sexy because", "Mediacorp's magazines go all-in with digital", "Sharon Au to start a new chapter in life in 2018 - Toggle", "Sharon Au Has Found A New Job In Paris And Will Move There For Good", "Musician Goh Kheng Long renews marriage vows in Paris ceremony, witnessed by Jacky Cheung and Sharon Au", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sharon_Au&oldid=1136619421, Children Medical Fund Charity Show, Lunar New Year's Eve Variety Special, Storm (in Mandarin, ), Toy Factory Productions, Singapore, 1998. [] Because all my life I've been strong enough to overcome any adversities, so like, this shouldn't be any different. In the day, she attended school and at night, she slept in Dennys, which was open 24 hours. The former actress-host moved to Paris in 2018 and worked as an investment director at a private equity firm there. Singapore 2K followers 500+ connections Join to view profile Mediacorp Pte Ltd Waseda University Personal Website About Eyes. Despite being thousands of miles apart, Sharon says their mother-daughter relationship has improved since the pandemic. But how full of light and colour are their last days. The 46-year-old replied: "Just go ahead and splurge with your first paycheck. The. graduating from Waseda University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in 2011, she returned to Singapore with an invigorated sense of purpose and identity. Global Head of Investment Bank Research. Admitting that he raked up debts amounting to around $30,000,Darren added that his then-girlfriend and now-wife Evelyn Tan made him realise the value of money so that they can have a future together. Time away from the limelight allowed Sharon to recentre herself, and upon graduating from Waseda University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in 2011, she returned to Singapore with an invigorated sense of purpose and identity. Her favourite artist is Rembrandt, who is a symbol of freedom. Privacy policy. Join . Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. When her best friend Melissa from, discovered that Dennys was her temporary abode, she immediately brought Sharon into her home and announced to her mother that Sharon will be staying with us from now on, because she is homeless. No questions asked. So, I slept on hercouch for six months. Even today if you asked me, I really felt the earthquake. Subscribe to the 8days weekly e-newsletter to receive the Straight lines would now break away to form wavy curves, painted with flowing brush strokes in a riot of bright colours. Sharonadded: "Starting from zero. It was a cathartic yet tiring session, she admits. I was a people-pleaser because I was insecure, she says. The 46-year-old is based in Paris, where she works as an investment director in a private equity firm. Sharon Au ( simplified Chinese: ; traditional Chinese: ; pinyin: u Jngxin; born 13 August 1975 [1]) is a Singaporean former actress and host. but life is tied to work as an investment director in a private equity firm. At the same time I was grateful I wasn't ill, but I thought to myself, 'Then I better really do this before I really got ill.'". If an artist were to draw a youthful version of Sharon, it might be Piet Mondrianbest known for his abstract paintings consisting of squares and rectangles. Head of Technology. MCI (P) 076/10/2022, MCI (P) 077/10/2022. One phone call later, Sharon clinched a job at a private equity firm and she has climbed her way up to being an investment director with clients under her. You must grab on to the connections you make and it helps to have a benefactor," Sharon said. I remember crying after the meeting as I closedmy laptop and packed up. Be notorious, echoes in my head. Life is all about connections. : @maxberlinparis #Maje #soire #change #yolo, A post shared by Sharon Au (@sharonau13) on Apr 3, 2018 at 7:27pm PDT, You lead the life you want. Now, I can finally become somebody that I want to be. Upon hearing Sharon utter those words, Rumis quote of Forget safety. As an actress and a host for more than 10 years of her life, Sharon is used to following a script that doesnt give her any agency. - global client services. It takes courage, strength, self-awareness to break away from the comfort of familiarity, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are striking parallels between her (older self) and the great painter. She decided that she would be honest with herself, and be open to treatment. Zo Evans. Picture: Instagram. Then, Singapore was the third country to report cases of the coronavirus and was one of the worst-hit outside China, so the former actress-host, who now works as an investment director in a private equity firm in Paris, was understandably worried for her mum back home. According to ZoomInfo records, Sharon Au's professional experience began in 2012. Money Money Home premiered Nov 18 and new episodes are releasedevery Thursday; catch itfor free on meWATCH. And, for once, Sharon has seen the light. Sharon Au quits investment director job in Paris after apartment robbed: (ST).Besides her previous roles as a host and actress, the celeb is perhaps also best known for dropping her life in Singapore to move to Paris in 2018.But the recent burglary has given Au cause to rethink her life in the European city.When contacted by ST, the 46-year-old said she is"not well enough" yet to share more . Singapore has seen over 50 years of major road projects, from the PIE to the North-South Corridor. "All these are just part and parcel of having a beautiful experience living in Paris.". Not making huge amounts of money, but at least we know how to manage our wealth properly. Everything ends. Sharon Au is back from Paris but not for long. Thinking that an earthquake was happening, she gripped the edges of the table and asked if anyone else felt it. He waited for me to come home. But her dream life there was rudely interrupted by the burglary on April 30,. I consent to the use of my personal data by Mediacorp and the Mediacorp group of companies (collectively Mediacorp) to send me notices, information, promotions and updates including marketing and advertising materials in relation to Mediacorps goods and services and those of third party organisations selected by Mediacorp, and for research and analysis, including surveys and polls. When she entered the media industry at 19, Sharon drifted apart from her best friend. A phone call later, she clinched a job at a private equity firm and she has climbed her way up to being an investment director with clients under her. I kept asking myself: Who is really Sharon Au? she admits. She played host for President Star Charity show in 2012. We become what we chase after. Founder and Executive Director: Finding the balance between people, place and power. Regulatory Affairs Executive at Kowa Pharmaceutical Europe Co. Ltd. Web design by Yu Sheng & Yu Siang. Unless you are the anti-virus, don't come back and disturb me, she chuckles. The post was accompanied by a photo of her and her beloved pet cat Rudon. After a few months in Paris, she began work as an investment director in Jolt Capital, a private equity firm. Imagine coming home to your apartment only to find it emptied and your favourite things taken. There is another side to Sharon that sets her apart from many of her peersher sharp business acumen. Does Joo Chiat Need Another Italian Joint? Then we love sharing. Her presence (however fleeting it may be) still has an effect, and I guess that part of her will never fade. Former Singaporean celebrity Sharon Au shared her ideas at work and she was scolded for it and she then dramatically resigned from Mediacorp in 2018. Other netizens also added that there are other options available, like adoption, or getting a surrogate mother. Straight lines would now break away to form wavy curves, painted with flowing brush strokes in a riot of bright colours. Contact us [2], Au attended CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School (Secondary) and Hwa Chong Junior College in Singapore. . I didn't know what I was doing. This was after she had completed her overseas studies and was serving her bond with the company on the corporate end. At present, Ti Yan Academy is one of Au's latest project, in which she has invested S$100,000. But Au also found the rumour "sobering", as she realised that most people would only make such a drastic change to their lives if they were dying. Running away has always been Sharons source of comfort, a constant theme in her life that she has grown to be familiar with. Sharon also shared a photo on. In an interview with AsiaOne on Monday (Nov 22) for her upcoming meWATCH. His paintings transformed from the early "smooth" manner of polished contours to the late "rough" treatment of richly variegated paint surfaces, using hog-bristle brushes, which was uncharacteristic of that era. [14] Since October 2018, she is currently an investment director with the private equity firm in Paris. Investment director provides investment analysis at the portfolio level and attribution between asset allocation and manager selection. So you don't know what is not performing, what is performing.And then I keep having to keep up with my performing persona.". This is relatively affordable compared to culinary schools overseas, which can cost upwards of S$50,000 and take over a year. Besides instructional videos and text, students at Ti Yan can also book an online session with the chef, where an expert can watch them cook in real time. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . They are so proud of their culture and gastronomy that when they saw this crazy Chinese woman wanting to share it with the world, they completely embraced the idea, she says. She responded the next day on her Facebook page and apologised the following day. But under such circumstances, Au emerged a fiercely independent woman and top-notch performer, which could explain her career-oriented fervourin her former life at Mediacorp. And if you deny medical help, it can get to that stage.". In 2005, Au left her popularity behind to attenduniversity in Tokyo for aLiberal Arts degree. On occasion, the ghosts of Sharons past still pay her a visit. I wanted to learn to like myself, to live by myself with nothing. I wanted to be liberated so I went to Paris, Sharon says, who spent a year studying there as part of Wasedas international exchange programme. We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with 8 Days to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be. During her teenage days, she had spent a night in Marymount Girls Home and witnessed many girls in dismal circumstances. | ". The next day I told him it's not possible, he told me I had 8 hrs. I had everything, yet I felt a huge void, she says. Catch Gu De Dai Zai Jia live on weekdays at 5.30pm on YES 933s Facebook page. Sharon Au was told to work less in Paris - so she started her own French academy . The truth is our paths have crossed before. She frequently texts her mum to check on her sometimes a bit too often, much to her chagrin. When asked what she was doing here, Au could not bear the idea of the public knowing about her condition, and therefore lied that she was researching for a role. In 2015, she auditioned for The LKY Musical, and got the coveted role of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, but life took a sharp turn when her close secondary school friend passed away from a heart attack. The whole celebrity diva thing had disintegrated and I felt like I had become the Sharon Au that I was supposed to behappy and contented. Unfortunately, the second psychiatrist she went to was no better. Modest Rally in Asian Equities Expected as Regional Economies Remain Supportive and Valuations Reasonable, Dubai-Based Real Estate Developer Omniyat Launches Ultra-Luxury Beachfront Residences, Singapore Buyers Show Strong Interest in Mixed-Use Development in Londons Vauxhall, This Residential Tower in Dubai Features Interiors by Pagani, What to Expect at the Newly Reopened I12 Katong Retail Mall, Are You a HNWI? But I have (my pet cat) Rudon. From a cabaret girl in the 1998 stage musical, Beauty World to a bubbly radio presenter in the sitcom Right Frequency, she made every single character believable. Before we say au revoir, though, Au will star in an upcoming Chinese play "Sages of the Bamboo Grove", at the Esplanade onJan 31 and Feb. 1, 2020. Director, AMP Capital Investors Ltd. Director, AMP Capital Funds Management Ltd. Growing up in what she once called a"broken, poor and unprivileged family background", the natural performer admits that it took a toll on her self-esteem. Dress by Andrew Gn; Hair: Ben Leong (Passion Hair Salon); Makeup: Andy Lee. Upgraded but still having issues? If an artist were to draw a youthful version of Sharon, it might be Piet Mondrianbest known for his abstract paintings consisting of squares and rectangles. The whole celebrity diva thing had disintegrated and I felt like I had become the Sharon Au that I was supposed to behappy and contented. During the late 1990s she was best known for co-hosting City Beat with Kym Ng and Bryan Wong. I choose to strike first. If you're wondering, no, "Ti Yan" is not French. I just wanted to restart my life and go back to school, Sharon declares. Sharon Au kena complained by colleagues in France for being 'Singaporean' After her resignation, she moved to Paris because she wanted to start afresh but no one there would hire her. Or at least attempted to, in the heat of uncontrollable rage. to come on board. Going back to school made me the same down-to-earth person I was before I joined the media.. An unsympathetic man with his gaze fixed on his computer, the doctor only looked at Au once, when she stopped talking. Sharon Au was all ready to bid au revoir to her life in Paris and return home for good when the COVID-19 pandemic hit Singapore in February. At the Singapore launch event for her French Culinary school Ti Yan Academy on Dec. 19, the actress-turned-investment director was vivacious. It's a milestone and you've worked so hard. In an episode of the meWATCH talkshow Hear U Out, Sharon told host Quan Yi Fong that she even thought of being a waitress at the Italian restaurant, before meeting a former Mediacorp chairman who recommended her for a job. Following her resignation, the actress relocated to Paris because she wanted to start afresh but no one there would hire here. Despite being trapped by an oppressive regime dictated by the entertainment industry, she continued to work hard and went on to clinch Best Variety Show Host at the Star Awards for four consecutive years, from 2000 to 2003. No judgement. I wanted to be liberated so I went to Paris, Sharon says, who spent a year studying there as part of Wasedas international exchange programme. It was really all on impulse.. Actress Ya Hui and songbird Kit Chan will make an appearance today (Apr 30) and next Monday (May 4) respectively. Today he is still traumatised by the invasion. Someone asked me if i was ill and dying. Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then. Ex-host Sharon Au quits job after her Paris home is burgled, re-evaluates her life there, All done! We're encouraged to speak up, beinnovative, and suggest fresh and creative ideas. The boxes represent her personal insecurities and perceived societal expectations that she puts upon herself, while the straight, rigid lines of her frame depict her unwavering, by-the-book approach. 903 followers 500+ connections. [8], In 2012, she started and led styleXstyle.com (a property of MediaCorp Pte Ltd), focusing fashion, beauty and lifestyle.