Spotlight: Stephanie Chai
Particulars
Name: Stephanie Chai
Class of: 1999 (left in Grade 6, 1994)
Occupation: Owner of theweddingguide.com.my & model/ TV Host
Discipline of Study: DBL Major commerce degree in Finance & International Business
Tertiary Institution: University of Auckland, NZ
Current Location: K.L!!
Current Employer/Business: Myself & my entertainment work takes me all over the place – everyday is different ☺
Q: How did you come to decide upon pursuing your current occupation? Was it something you always knew you wanted to do, or something you stumbled upon along the way?
For some strange reason, I can recall that from as early as the age of 6 or 7, I had a strong inkling as to what my future would be like. I spent my primary school years partaking in school plays and encouraging my (unfortunate) galfrens to act out skits and play improv games. So the passion for the arts I think is something I was simply born with.
So in that respect I've been very blessed to of known my 'purpose' from an early age. Even whilst in my teens I was already planning my career options and dreaming away... ☺ A bit of a weirdo if you consider most of my peers were pretty happy with the typical high school life. I’ve always suffered from a short attention span however...
Q: What have been the highlights (favourite projects/s or experiences) of your career so far? And what is it that drives you to continue on in this industry?
Recently I was on the covers for GLAM & Harpers Bazaar – two of M'sias top fashion magazines - and no doubt an honour and some of my best pics ever ☺
Another highlight would be when I was 19 – I had just spent the summer modeling in Thailand & Malaysia, filming TV commercials and magazine covers. To be completely frank, I never thought I would be 'that girl'. The pinnacle was when I landed a campaign for Olay. I'd spent my childhood years watching tele and mimicking the ads I'd seen… and suddenly here I was, the next 'Olay girl'. I was very grateful, humbled & realized that dreams do come true (cheesy as that sounds!). You just need to believe & hope ;)
However, my favourite project of the moment has to be running my biz, The Wedding Guide!
Q. Are there any common misconceptions about your profession you could dispel for us? Perhaps there are certain negative aspects within the industry that the students interested in this profession may be unaware of?
Of course there is the standard perception that models are 'dumb' or 'fake'. Well, truth be told I have met a few models who may fit into that category – but for the most part I think that reputation comes about because as a 'model', you're given a life where one can easily get caught up and live in this bubble. Modeling doesn't require one to be up to date with the news and at the end of the day – it is a career based on your physical appearance. So I suppose when the pressure is all about image, one loses the motivation to work on 'who they are'.
There were times I would meet people and they might make a remark such as 'Oh you read the business times' or 'Oh wow, you write as well' – which I found particularly insulting given all my years of hard work at school to attain good grades! I suppose the irony is, despite what you may have accomplished in the past, people in general are quick to judge based on the present and the little they know of you. However, we do live a world that is built on stereotypes and I’m sure most of us are guilty of presumption at some point of the other.
Simply keep your chin up and prove them otherwise! ☺
Q. What are your plans for the future?
I'm still hosting events and doing shoots here and there - but my main priority is running The Wedding Guide. I hope it can become the top wedding site in Malaysia! Other than that, my goal this year to travel as much as possible... there is the big, ol' world to see, people to meet and much to learn.
Q. Could you share a little about life in your current city or residence?
K.L has been my base for the last 4 years and I've taken a liking to it. At the end of the day, big cities all share the common norm – nice bars, restaurants & shops. What really makes a place 'home' is the job & friends you keep. However, I'm really lucky that I do get to travel a lot. If I stay in one place for too long I get a case of itchy feet! Its great that we have budget airlines etc that make traveling more affordable for everyone ☺
Q. Words of advice for current Lodgians considering a career in your field?
I come from a family where my father is Chinese and my mother Italian – both conservative cultures!! Growing up, I was ideally interested in the arts but this 'dream' was heavily debated (and rejected) in my household... and at the end of the day my mother's reminder that as an actress I would be living on 'bread & butter' – kinda scared me out of it. But looking back, I'm happy I majored in Finance as opposed to fluttering off to drama school in NY. Because as much as I love theatre... in the long run I know being an entrepreneur is more of a fulfilling challenge for my character.
In all, as much as we should respect and take into account our family's advice... one must realize that we are all born as individuals – thus we all have our 'own' basket of dreams. Live your life as your heart desires and not for the lives of others. In the long run, your parents etc will respect you for becoming your own person.
So with that, I think students should follow your heart – always choose something that you do see yourself doing. If I blindly followed my parent's advice… I’d be an engineer, married to a kiwi boy (mum's preference) and living in the house next to theirs in NZ... which sounds nice on paper but not my cup of tea ☺
