Lucy Liu’s filmography may include over 90 titles, but the first time her son watched her act was in Red One, a holiday film based on the kidnapping of Santa Claus. In it, Liu plays Zoe, the intimidating leader of North Pole operatives investigating Santa’s disappearance and working to bring him back in time for Christmas. Naturally, the stakes had never been higher.
“This was the first movie of mine that Rockwell was able to watch that wouldn’t be disturbing in some way,” Liu laughs. “It was a wonderful experience. When children watch movies, you want them to get absorbed in the moment. That’s basically what happened—he was watching the film not remembering that I was in it. Then at one point he goes, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Mummy!’ He wanted to see it again right away.”
Liu is speaking to me from her bedroom in her New York City home. Her long black hair sweeps gently over her shoulders and her features—arresting as when she first burst into the spotlight in the ’90s—light up brightly when she speaks of her son.
Liu has had a fairly unconventional path to motherhood. In 2015, at the age of 47, she welcomed her son, Rockwell Lloyd Liu, via a gestational surrogate. In the nine years since, she has chosen to raise him with the same level of privacy she has tended towards herself—in a fine balancing act with still letting him be a child.
“He knows what I do for work. As he’s gotten older, he’s become more aware of what my job might mean but I don’t know that he understands it fully,” she muses.
“Children are so pure. His teachers have told me that he talks about me sometimes and feels proud of me. There was a point when I was trying to teach him why privacy was important for our personal safety and I remember telling him not to bring up what I do to his classmates. But then I realised that I was taking these special moments away from him.”
Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Vogue Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición November 2024 de Vogue Singapore.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Love WINS ALL
The Cartier Love bracelet, one of the most recognisable pieces of jewellery in the world, is more versatile than ever.
A GEM of A THING
At Richard Mille, coloured sapphires are the ne plus ultra of beauty and savoir-faire.
HOT COMMODITIES
Watches by independent makers and microbrands that break the mould are some of the most collectible at the moment.
ALL AFLUTTER
Of the many Chanel symbols and icons, the feather is perhaps the most cherished by connoisseurs in the know. It comes from a lesser known part of Gabrielle Chanel's history. Before venturing into fashion and haute couture, Chanel actually established herself in Paris, in a boutique at 21 rue Cambon, as a milliner. Her first creation that was presented to the press in 1910 was a feathered hat. The latest Plume de Chanel collection of high jewellery pays tribute to the feather in all its lightness and supple movement. Six sets of romantic, evanescent jewels introduce a new, naturalistic silhouette, decorated with diamonds and an array of dazzling pink gemstones such as sapphires, tourmalines and diamonds.
GROWTH in GRATITUDE
It's a simple practice linked to higher optimism, better sleep and improved immunity. But just how much can gratitude journalling power our personalities? Vogue Singapore's contributing beauty writer investigates.
PAINT the TOWN RED
A triad for the ages. Vogue Singapore sits down with the visionaries behind some of Chanel's most trailblazing make-up products to find out more about their creative process, the new age of beauty and more.
Top SHELF
This year, enter your niche hobby era. From beekeeping to the science of fermentation, we round up nine books that delve into a wide range of peculiar subjects—any one of which might pique your interest.
PAY to PLAY
The design team behind The Standard, Singapore shares how the city's most anticipated new stay is making its not-so-standard mark.
A New DAWN
After two decades at the helm of his namesake label, fashion designer Phillip Lim sets sail on a new chapter. In conversation with Vogue Singapore, he looks back on the lessons learnt, the significance of mental health and the endless possibilities ahead.
A GLOWING LIGHT
Qatrisha Zairyah, who made history as Singapore's first transgender finalist of Miss Universe Singapore, opens up about the symbolism of pageantry and being a voice for her community.