Dada Chan
Actress Dada Chan rose to fame at the height of the lang mo pseudo-model craze, thanks to her bikini-filled photo books. After a period of modelling, she turned to acting and won the best supporting actress gong at 2012’s Hong Kong Film Awards. She tells Isabelle Hon about going from sex symbol to serious actress.
I was born in Hong Kong. My parents divorced when I was young, so my mom took me and my sister back to live in Shanghai for two years.
After that I came back to Hong Kong for primary school.
I started modeling when I was 17. The model agency left a comment on my Xanga and asked me to go to a casting. At that time I was still in school. I started to do advertisements and commercials.
I didn’t aim to go sexy at first, but at that time every girl had a photo book. I was asked to have my first bikini photo book in 2010 with two other girls.
After I had a solo photo book, I thought it was time to change, and I said that I would never do it again.
I think the term “lang mo” is outdated. In the last two years people are not that excited by the word.
I think the trend is over. I haven’t heard this word for a long time.
I love my plump lips most and I think they’re sexy.
I think sexy depends on how much is in your head, not how much you have on. Look at Shu Qi and Zhou Xun: they look so sexy even with clothes on.
I am not planning on becoming someone else. Everyone is unique and I just want to be myself.
Most of my real friends are outside of the industry.
My roommate Ivy was also in the entertainment industry. We were models in the same company. But she is now doing marketing.
Every year there are prettier girls who arrive in the field. To survive, I realized I had to build up something.
Two years ago, I was too concentrated on work. I knew actresses like me can’t survive in the industry for so long. I didn’t date, I was rarely with my family: just work, work and work.
Later I found myself empty.
Then I got my driving license and right now I’m learning piano and singing.
I think my smile and my genuine personality make people like me. I’m frank and straightforward.
I said I would withdraw from the entertainment industry and then I came back three months later. At that time I was really depressed. Everyone has emotions.
I wish I could get more female fans. Boy fans are more likely to run away when they see new pretty starlets. Girls usually are more long-lasting.
When I am in love, I can’t stick with the guy all the time. I need space for myself.
My dream man is Andy Lau. He’s not only handsome: he is also generous and cheerful. He is good to everyone. No one would criticize him.
I have had a cat for eight years whose name is Siu Fu [little tiger]. He is very clingy. He has to sleep in my arms every night.
After getting a Hong Kong Film Award [for 2012’s “Vulgaria”], I hope that I can be more versatile.
I can turn into a sexy Dada, mature Dada, angry Dada and even ugly Dada.
I am looking forward to acting in some meaningful roles in the future, so people can focus on the weak and on poverty.
I have never regretted what I have done, since it is part of my life.
See Dada Chan in “Lucky Star 2015,” opening Feb 19.
