Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then," said Ms Au. I was unhappy and empty inside. Three months later, Sharon left at the peak of her career and found herself in Tokyo, without a concrete plan in mind. Sharon said that he had seen herprojects and was impressed by them. Or perhaps Picasso, in all his cubism glory, might do a better job. During one of the nights, Sharon had reserved a ticket at the Marina Sands Theatre for her friend to watch the performance, but she never showed up. I even flewin parts from the UK to Singapore and that got me into deep s***.". And all of this began when she was only in primary school. She responded the next day on her Facebook page and apologised the following day. About This is not Au's first brush with burglary in Paris - but her reaction back then was vastly different. I began to like myself more when I didnt have to please people.. Woodlands had dinosaurs before it was cool. When her best friend Melissa from CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls' School 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. 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. 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. It takes courage, strength, self-awareness to break away from the comfort of familiarity, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. [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. "That's why I'm very particular when I read news about suicide and depression. I wanted to bring nothing of the old Sharon with me and start from zero by leaving everything behind. But when former local celebrity Sharon Au shared her ideas passionately at work, she was"scolded for it". [9] In 2016, she co-founded the Style by Style Vibes cafe when the new Mediacorp campus opened. But her dream life there was rudely interrupted by the burglary on April 30,. When she entered the media industry at 19, Sharon drifted apart from her best friend. Even the slightest sound startles him now. More than she has ever written in the past 20 years, penning down her thoughts in long essays. Seems like she isn't taking it that slow just yet. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . They also try to psycho you to work at home because 1) more relax environment = better work rate 2) they don't need to pay OT. "The important lesson here is please make very good friends in your university days, because you will need them.". I kept asking myself: Who is really Sharon Au? she admits. You never know maybe I already had the virus because [before the lockdown in France] I still went to concerts. Responsible for: - Australia & New Zealand sales & client businesses. Money Money Home premiered Nov 18 and new episodes are releasedevery Thursday; catch itfor free on meWATCH. Copyright 2023 SPH Media Limited. After staying with Melissas family for two years, Sharons aunt finally took her back in. For most of Sharons childhood, her fear of not having enough to eat manifested into a hunger to be more likable in her career. . May 12, 2022, 1:44 PM SGT SINGAPORE - Sharon Au's dream life in Paris recently turned into a nightmare when her apartment was broken into on April 30. No, no, no. 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. Following her resignation, the actress relocated to Paris because she wanted to start afresh but no one there would hire here. Tell me why you depressed. Thread starter lordofthering; Start date Oct 17, 2021; 1; 2; Next. in the 90s, where she would regale audiences nightly with her lively anecdotes and witty banter alongside co-hosts Kym Ng and Bryan Wong. 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. When ST asked Au for more information about the extent of the housebreaking and its aftermath, she declined to elaborate and apologised that she is not well enough yet at this point to reveal more. And in January this year, she started Ti Yan, an online culinary academy that teaches the art of French cooking. But Sharon doesnt like Picasso. I believe education and improving oneself is a lifelong commitment. - global marketing & communications. This was partly fuelled by the fact that Au had a reputation of being a go-getter in the industry. This was after four consecutive years, from 2000 to 2003, of winningBest Variety Show Host at the Star Awards. Her backpack and laptop were stolen, but not her cash. "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. [14] Since October 2018, she is currently an investment director with the private equity firm in Paris. And from then on, I changed the way I lived, Sharon reveals with a tenderness in her voice. So I thought to myself better just play safe and stay in my apartment instead of flying back.. And it also didn't help that Au couldn't come to terms with the fact that she was depressed. Before the pseudo earthquake episode, Au had visited a clinic where she was recognised by the counter staff, who made a fuss and requested a photo. Upgraded but still having issues? These days, Au lives in Paris with her beloved cat Rudon and works as an investment director in a private equity firm. [2], Au attended CHIJ Saint Nicholas Girls' School (Secondary) and Hwa Chong Junior College in Singapore. 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. Running away has always been Sharons source of comfort, a constant theme in her life that she has grown to be familiar with. These included beauty products, clothes, shoes and jewellery. Starting from zero. Catch Gu De Dai Zai Jia live on weekdays at 5.30pm on YES 933s Facebook page. 1; 2; First Prev 2 of 2 She wasnt in a hurry to find work, and was actually perfectly happy sleeping on my couch doing nothing. For Darren, the father-of-four has been into watercolour painting, playing the celloand pottery. For Sharon Au, who resigned from Mediacorp in 2018before securing a new job, it gave her a temporary place to stay. We're encouraged to speak up, beinnovative, and suggest fresh and creative ideas. Since I was young, I was thrown from place to place. Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then. 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. Her ability to connect with the masses wasnt her only repertoire of skills; there wasnt a role Sharon couldnt embody. If you're wondering, no, "Ti Yan" is not French. I thank God that he is safe, unhurt, and did not run away. I got home, switched on my laptop, andtyped outmy resignation letter., Sharon Au relocated to Paris after leaving Mediacorp. - global client services. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. Director, AMP Capital Investors Ltd. Director, AMP Capital Funds Management Ltd. A part of their dialogue went something like this: Doctor: Nowadays everybody depression ah? 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. She added: While we were eating, he asked me how work was, and I told him I didnt have a job and couldnt find one. Her presence (however fleeting it may be) still has an effect, and I guess that part of her will never fade. Sharon Hicks. favourite artist is Rembrandt, who is a symbol of freedom. She followed instructions, took direction well, but had little autonomy over her actions much like a marionette. View Sharon Starick's profile on LinkedIn, the world's largest professional community. But I feel that it's one of the most important things that should be planned for," Darren said. The truth is our paths have crossed before. In the day, she attended school and at night, she slept in Dennys, which was open 24 hours. Straight lines would now break away to form wavy curves, painted with flowing brush strokes in a riot of bright colours. Thats My Happy Place!, Rediscovering Myself Through My Sons Special Needs, Dr Wealths Alvin Chow: I Turned My Passion Into a Mission, Meet Shin Lim, the Magician Who Wowed America, This New Clinic Wants You to Get Proactive About Preventive Care, Graphic Artist Malika Favre on Pioneering Her Own Pop and Op Art Style, The World of Cats According to Author-Illustrator Susie Yi, Influential Brands Survey Shows How Prominent Brands in Singapore Overcame Covid-19 Challenges, The Secret to Beijing Tong Ren Tangs 350-Year Longevity, Influential Brands Launches Two New Platforms for Business Leaders and Influencers, Why Raffles Hotel Singapore Is One of the Best Companies to Work for, Text by Dawn Wong; Photography by Juliana Tan, "I like myself in Paris; no one knows me and I am free to be who I want to becreative, liberated and free from expectations.". Instead of acting, she took up an executive position at Mediacorp, citing Japan as one of the, Living in Japan transformed me. Web design by Yu Sheng & Yu Siang. No judgement. That was when she knew she had to get serious help. The precocious child, who despite a turbulent upbringing, did exceedingly well academically. And you can't beat me at Scrabble. Actress Ya Hui and songbird Kit Chan will make an appearance today (Apr 30) and next Monday (May 4) respectively. I remember crying after the meeting as I closedmy laptop and packed up. Sharon said: "When I was job hunting, I didn't even want to spend on rent. Fraught with despair over her unexpected death, Sharon continued to deliver a stunning performance. I also want to apologise for being selfish and running off to Paris and leaving her here alone.. ', But I chickened out. I lost my friends as I was too arrogant, or perhaps too busy to care.. Singapore has seen over 50 years of major road projects, from the PIE to the North-South Corridor. 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. . As long as [you] havent reach menopause, its still possible (sic), one netizen wrote. Sharon has 9 jobs listed on their profile. For my particular treatment, it was like that lah. It had gotten to the point where she felt, "Life has no meaning, why not just end it?". I was unhappy and empty inside. Three months later, Sharon left at the peak of her career and found herself in Tokyo, without a concrete plan in mind. I got $95 on that day. The post was accompanied by a photo of her and her beloved pet cat Rudon. Her first job after her GCE 'A' levels was a flight stewardess with Singapore Airlines,[4] Au's career in the entertainment industry began when she was talent-spotted from a Toy Factory Productions English remake of a Hong Kong stage musical I Have A Date With Spring. But case in point exactly. Her favourite artist is Rembrandt, who is a symbol of freedom. We Are Hiring To continue, upgrade to a supported browser. Institution Fund Committee of NCCS Cancer Fund Finance Advisory Panel Audit Advisory Panel Development and Advocacy Advisory Panel Nomination Sub-committee Auditor Ernst & Young She played host for President Star Charity show in 2012. ". I went to watch Madonna! Contact us 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. Another difference is that there is no timeline for Ti Yan's courses, so that students can progressat their own pace. Live where you fear to live. Unless its fries. "I just told myself, 'Okay, this is Paris'.". She subsequently left the clinic before she even got to see the doctor. "I really felt it you know. Since then Sharon has changed 5 companies and 5 roles. Subscribe to get daily news updates, insights and must reads delivered straight to your inbox. Read this subscriber-only article for free! . Strapped for cash, shealso shared that her early days in Pariswere not as glamorous as one might think. Sharonis now working as investment director at a private equity firm in Paris. The blazing lights of show business were soon snuffed out right when she blew out the candles on her 30th birthday cake. . [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. "We start with French culture in particular, and French . In fact, libations arent necessary, as she is exceedingly open. All rights reserved. Despite being thousands of miles apart, Sharon says their mother-daughter relationship has improved since the pandemic. Sharon Butler Director, Corporate Partnerships & Social Investment at MOSAIC Delta, British Columbia, Canada 2K followers 500+ connections Join to follow MOSAIC University of Victoria. We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with TODAY to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be. And she does not deny that she has becomevastly different from the Sharon Au that people knew. Founder and Executive Director: Finding the balance between people, place and power. Dress by Andrew Gn; Hair: Ben Leong (Passion Hair Salon); Makeup: Andy Lee. Au, 46, says: "I think I need to heal first and re-evaluate life here in France.". Web development by Ripplewerkz. I never had a proper home, and moved every year, Sharon says. French Ambassador, Marc Abensour together with patron, Sharon Au , spoke to CNA yesterday on the Voilah France Singapore Festival. 2023 High Net Worth All rights reserved. To complete the course, students will spend one week in one of the chef's kitchen,after which they receive certification should they pass. "I've been pushing myself, my entire first 40 years of my life. And now it is really too late, read her caption, which was accompanied by a couple pictures of her bonding with a friends kid. He was so shocked to know that because to him, I was someone very capable and talented, and someone he admired.". It takes courage, strength, self-awareness to break away from the comfort of familiarity, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. - global investment operations. During the late 1990s she was best known for co-hosting City Beat with Kym Ng and Bryan Wong. Mums cool response? Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then. 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? Other people might put the cashinto a piggy bank in case of a rainy day. 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. 903 followers 500+ connections. Sowhen we caught up with host Sharon Au on Monday (Nov 22) for her newmeWATCH series Money Money Home, we had to ask: What should young people do with their first salary? 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. "It took me a long to admit that I was sick and I need to seek professional help. Ros L'Esperance Co-Head Global Banking. Discomfort is the only way to achieve personal growthand Sharon has learnt to step out of her comfort zone and confront parts of herself that she never used to like. 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. 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. Make it happen for yourself. I fell in love with the country and knew I had to come back today. But what about allocating a portion of your income towards upgrading yourself? For Sharon Au, who resigned from Mediacorp in 2018 before securing a new job, it gave her a temporary place to stay. The 46-year-old replied: "Just go ahead and splurge with your first paycheck. Former Mediacorp actress and host Sharon Au shared a short message on her Instagram on October 15, musing about her "biggest regret". It's a milestoneand you've worked so hard. 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. Sharon Au, a 46-year old ex-Mediacorp actress/hostess, has now moved on from her private equity investment firm director position in Paris after her house was ransacked by burglars. The woman was me, when I was studying in Paris in 2008. In February 2018, she resigned amicably from MediaCorp. After a few months in Paris, she began work as an investment director in Jolt Capital, a private equity firm. One of them emailed me about work at 12am - 1am, require the report be sent to him by 9.30 am next day (work start at 9am). It was only when I turned 30 that I realised how much I disliked myself. As a tribute to her, I placed a bouquet of flowers on her seat so I could look at them when I was on stage like I was acting for her. But now, through acting, the anguish can be released rather than hidden. Join . "Aggressive" and "ambitious" were the words Au used to describe herself. Greater Reading Area. Nobody had felt anything. 8days.sg spoke to Sharon after the live streaming session via WhatsApp, the 44-year-old explained that the crisis had caused a shift of perspectives and that she was frustrated that she and her mum were apart during this challenging period. True to her roots, she recognises the importance of having a safe space for women to retreat to, and empathises with them. "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. All rights reserved. I wanted to learn to like myself, to live by myself with nothing. Reflecting on the financial mistakes in her "young starlet days" in the television business, Sharon said: "I was so overwhelmed with the joy of being famous and earning money, so I bought a lot ofmaterial goods.". Even today if you asked me, I really felt the earthquake. Chris Leone. 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.