Go behind the scenes of Toggle Talk 2
TAKE TWO: Another look at what went on behind the cameras of our second Toggle Talk interview series
Photos: Lee Lay Na, Don Lee, Terence Tay & Toggle Team
Editor’s note: Last year we dived in the production of Toggle Talk Season 1 with the single goal of uncovering unheard stories and fleshing out an unseen side of our celebrity guests, which—we’d like to think we did—with much success. And little did we expect to be attempting the same feat again (although with bigger shoes to fill) this year, with the help of eight different celebrities. Every production has its fair share of hurdles and trust me when I say we faced our fair share of problems and rejection from artistes who are too afraid to guest on our series after seeing the revelations made by their counterparts last year. (PS: We’re harmless, really!)
But persistence prevails when all else fails, and we’d like to thank our guest stars for taking a leap of faith with us. We’ve finally come to the end of another chapter and we hope you enjoyed these eight stories as much as we enjoyed bringing them to life.
Till next time folks!
Special thanks to W Singapore – Sentosa Cove, Grand Hyatt Singapore, Sheraton Towers Singapore, Royal Plaza on Scotts, Conrad Centennial Singapore, styleXstyle VIBES Café for making this dream project happen.
We get the ball rolling with Kate Pang with tales of her troubled past, unexpected pregnancies
In a nutshell: One-half of one of Singapore’s most adored pairings (Kandie), lets in on how her life turned around after she met and married her co-star Andie Chen. Fairytales do come true.
Watch:
Why was Kate's grandmother worried about her marriage to Andie?
The arrival of Aden added strain to Kate and Andie's marriage
Kate is willing to give up her showbiz career for her kids
Read more here
We explore new dad Shaun Chen’s bumpy rise to fame and how he went from loser to A-lister
In a nutshell: He came, he saw, he conquered – Shaun brings us through his painful past and recounts how he rose through the ranks, from being a disgraced actor to becoming a top star today. Every (under)dog has its day – it’s true.
Watch:
Shaun recalls his disastrous first acting audition
Shaun on the infamous allegations that he inappropriately touched a ‘Holland V’ co-star
Shaun gets candid about his divorce from Michelle Chia
Read more here
We speak to Ya Hui about the fame game and her past intentions to quit showbiz
In a nutshell: Almost 10 years into acting and Ya Hui still struggles to find her worth as an actress – what are the drawbacks of upholding and protecting one’s principles and beliefs in the showbiz industry?
Watch:
Why did Ya Hui almost quit showbiz two years ago?
Ya Hui doesn't believe in keeping up a good "PR front" with her colleagues
How difficult is it for an actress to find a boyfriend, according to Ya Hui
Read more here
We check in with Ian Fang who tells us what exactly is going on between him and his “BGB”
In a nutshell: Behind Ian’s self-assured swagger and attitude lies a deeply sensitive soul in need of some tender loving care. Ian lets in on his career and relationship struggles – yes, this boy has “women issues” too.
Watch:
Ian struggles with his 'bad boy' image in the media
Ian lets in on his insecurities and inferior complex
Ian tells us of his preference for older women
Read more here
We speak to Vivian Lai who seems to have it all (but she really has a host of unfulfilled ambitions)
In a nutshell: Vivian lets us in on why she pities her husband for being ‘outnumbered’ at home, the twists and turns of her artiste career, and that one Star Awards title that has escaped her grasp for years.
Watch:
Vivian talks about her rebellious teenage years
Vivian really wants the Best Variety Show Host award (which she has yet to win)
Vivian is open to undergoing IVF to conceive a third child
Read more here
We uncover Xu Bin’s bad boy past and his days as a troublemaker
In a nutshell: Xu Bin may sport an angelic image these days but that wasn’t the case in the past. He gets candid about his 180-degree change which happened after meeting Dasmond Koh and lets in on his buddy-like friendship with Aloysius pang.
Watch:
Xu Bin looks back at his perilous childhood and teenage years
How many serious girlfriends has Xu Bin had?
Xu Bin gets candid about comparisons between himself and Aloysius Pang
Read more here
We get inside the troubled mind of Michelle Chong and learn about her long battle with depression
In a nutshell: Everything you wanted to know about Michelle, from her never-ending battle with depression and departure from Mediacorp to her widely-debated “singleton” status.
Watch:
Michelle tells us about her relationship with her “bossy” mum
How is Michelle coping with depression?
Michelle opens up about her love life (or lack thereof?)
Read more here
We quiz Mark Lee about his (unspoken) riches, his (unheard) take on love and fidelity, and more
In a nutshell: Mark’s rags to riches story never gets old. Singapore’s funniest comedian talks about his impoverished past (he couldn’t even afford to buy a copy of the newspapers in his 20s) and widely-known unsuccessful child-bearing attempts which ended with the help of an AV film in Japan. If no holds barred confessional tales are what you’re after – ask and you shall receive.
Watch:
Mark tells all about his personal life and assets
Mark's first kid was conceived in Japan with the help of an AV film
Mark clears the rumours about his elder sister living off him
Read more here
Ian reviewing footage of his opening scene in Toggle Talk 2
Xu Bin goofing around when the cameras aren't rolling
What a typical Toggle Talk 2 interview setup looks like
Shopping
![Boss of Rui Ji chicken rice used to own a tattoo parlour! Talk about a career change! Link in bio to read more
📍Rui Ji Chicken Rice
Blk 93 Toa Payoh Lor 4,
#01-48, S310093
📍148 Beach Road,
#B1-01 The Gateway,
S189720
📍Blk 305 Ubi Ave 1,
#01-179, S440305
[till 16 Apr 2024]
https://tinyurl.com/5dudypkh](https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s--9s0hbGvI--/c_fit,h_396,w_223/f_auto,q_auto/v1/8days-migration/18015522113203478.jpg?itok=EX3xKSNq)
![We stan a kind-hearted boss with a good heart! 💕 Link in bio to read more
📍Rui Ji Chicken Rice
Blk 93 Toa Payoh Lor 4,
#01-48, S310093
📍148 Beach Road,
#B1-01 The Gateway,
S189720
📍Blk 305 Ubi Ave 1,
#01-179, S440305
[till 16 Apr 2024]
https://tinyurl.com/5dudypkh](https://onecms-res.cloudinary.com/image/upload/s---y3eV-Ts--/c_fit,h_396,w_223/f_auto,q_auto/v1/8days-migration/17999638880322602.jpg?itok=Tiqm3SVR)
