Recent tabloids claimed that Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) was involved with a married, wealthy businessman, Tony Hsiao. Angered by false claims that she stole another woman’s husband, Charmaine contacted Tony and Mrs. Hsiao to issue a joint statement denying tabloid rumors and reserving the right to pursue legal action on the false claims. Charmaine said, “I can not be weak this time. Since the allegations were too serious, I had to come forth. The rumors were very damaging for the three of us.”
Tony Hsiao and his wife, Mandy, both work in the financial industry. After the joint statement with Charmaine was issued, reporters asked whether he would pursue legal action for libel. Tony said politely, “Sorry, it’s inappropriate for me to answer right now.” (What is your relationship with Charmaine?) “I’m sorry, I have nothing to say.” Teased by his friends about being on the cover of tabloid magazines due to his rumors with Charmaine, Tony wrote on his blog, “This matter did not [benefit] us by making us stand out. The rumors hurt both Mandy and I since there was no ounce of truth in the tabloids’ reports.”
Pestered by the press to respond to the matters, Mandy said, “I will only answer questions pertaining to the financial market.” Mandy wrote on her blog, “I am made of water and can survive in any form. Since I work in the securities industry, my professional image is very important. I am not like those celebrities who wish to appear in the newspaper everyday. These type of rumors affect my mood and work. The companies which we consult for IPOs are afraid to be seen with me, concerned tabloids will falsify news and slander their names.”
Charmaine Sheh: “Selection of a Boyfriend Not Based on Money”
Possessing a high emotional quotient (EQ), Charmaine normally shrugged off tabloid allegations. Since the media was interested in her love life, various reports frequently claimed Charmaine dated different men. Earlier, there were claims that Charmaine was involved with a mainland wealthy second generation, Chen Chung. Charmaine denied the rumors, “The truth is that I never met the wealthy second generation, or a rich man in mainland.”
Charmaine revealed that money was unimportant in the selection of a boyfriend. “I will not base [my criteria] on money. I can earn money myself and I am not hoping to pursue a luxurious lifestyle. I wish to pursue only happiness. The most important thing is happiness. If I can smile every time I see him, then I am satisfied. We have to be compatible and share the same vision on the most important issues. Of course that does not mean we have to have the same exact thinking. I also prefer a man with a cheerful and happy disposition. I am a happy person and possess the tendency to think happy thoughts while forgetting unpleasant things.”
“I also hope that he is older than I am. First, my thinking is quite mature. In addition, due to working in the entertainment industry for many years, I am more mature than other women my age. If he is older, then he will take care of me more! Of course, I can not say that an older-woman-younger-man relationship is impossible. The man can be younger than me in age but more mature in thinking!”
Was Charmaine willing to accept a partner from mainland China, such as Ada Choi (蔡少芬) marrying Max Zhang (张晋) and good friend, Sonija Kwok (郭羨妮), engaged with action choreographer, Zhu Xiaojie? Working in China earlier, Charmaine said helplessly, “Last year, my two male co-stars in mainland productions were Bobby Au Yeung (歐陽震華) and Roger Kwok (郭晉安). Since they are both family men, how can there be romantic sparks?”
Filming with Bobby Au Yeung and Roger Kwok for three months respectively in China, there were no romantic rumors. However, in April, Charmaine was rumored with the married Tony Hsiao after a dinner with mutual friends. Tony and his wife had two daughters and were well-known within the financial industry. However, a tabloid ran headlines claiming Charmaine “stole another woman’s husband.”
“Tony and I are just common friends. We only shared two dinners together and there were other people present. Nothing out of the ordinary occurred. However, the tabloids went too far this time [in suggesting I wrecked someone's marriage]. It surpassed entertainment value and was unethical. In the past, I treated rumors the same way; reporters, artists, and readers had their own interests and positions. If no one was hurt, I will just laugh off the rumors. Due to the great impact on all three people involved in this fabricated news, I can not be weak and had to come forth and clarify the matter.”
Since the rumors crossed an ethical boundary, did Charmaine have a bottom-line in love and never be a “third party” in a relationship? Charmaine said justly, “I will not derive my happiness from another person’s suffering!” (Will you never break up a couple’s marriage?) Charmaine said firmly, “I have never done so in the past!”
Unwilling to Sacrifice Her Image Due to False Rumors
When Charmaine saw the malicious reports claiming she wrecked Tony Hsiao’s marriage, her eyes became moist with tears. Since Charmaine was filming Patrick Kong’s (葉念琛) new movie for several days and nights without sleep, she was tired mentally and physically. On the first day she had nine hours without work, Charmaine immediately contacted Tony Hsiao and his wife, Mandy, to discuss the situation. The trio agreed that the most direct approach would be to issue a joint statement to the media.
Charmaine noted that she did not know Mandy prior to the scandal. “Due to this incident, I met Mandy and gained an extra friend.” (Did Mandy believe that Charmaine and Tony were not romantically involved?) “If she did not believe this, she would not have agreed to the joint statement.” (Tabloids claimed that Tony and Mandy were experiencing marital problems and considering divorce?) “I will not ask about other people’s family issues!”
Eager to Find “Mr. Right”
Often giving other people the impression that she was very strong, Charmaine was deeply hurt by recent allegations that she was a marriage wrecker. “My job is an artist, but I am just a normal person, a woman. I am not particularly strong. Since I was young, I had to rely on myself to face and handle many matters. Thus, I do not delve on issues. However, there was no need for the allegations to grow in intensity. I was deeply hurt this time! This allegations would not have disappeared after one magazine cover if I did not clarify them. It is not worth it for my image, which took over ten years of my effort to establish, to be wrecked by false rumors. It is not worth it to die this way!”
When Charmaine’s step-father passed away earlier, her mother decided to relocate from Hawaii to Hong Kong for permanent residence. After Charmaine’s mother moved in with her, it took Charmaine some time to adjust to the new living arrangement. When the allegations with Tony Hsiao appeared, Charmaine’s mother comforted her. “My mother did not repeatedly ask or bother me with questions. She knew clearly what I was doing, the places I go to and the things I do on a daily basis. We are like friends.”
Experiencing unpleasant situations naturally warrant a desire to find someone to offer support. Currently not involved in a relationship, Charmaine said, “Right now, I truly want ‘Mr. Right’ to appear. My current desire for this to happen is greater than any time in the past. I am very tired from handling everything by myself. I want a hero to help the beauty!”
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