Fann Wong: 'My Marriage Feels Like Paradise'

The renowned Singaporean actress and icon shares why it’s important for her to stand proud of her country

- Natalya Molok

Fann Wong is a true-blue Singapore girl. As she tucks into a breakfast of nasi lemak and teh O, she tells me she’s just got back from a family trip a few days earlier and despite all the fun she had with her hubby, Christopher Lee, and their four-year-old son, Zed, she’s so glad to be home.

“Because of my work, I always travel outside of the country and I realise how lucky I am to be Singaporean. I feel that people always treat me a little bit nicer when they find out I’m Singaporean,” she explains.

“For Singapore to have such an effect on other people from other countries makes me feel proud. I never thought that things would be as good as this. I think the government has given us Singaporeans something as close as possible to an ideal home.”

For all the success and fame Fann has attained abroad, it’s heartening to hear that the Little Red Dot still captures her imagination. Arguably one of the island state’s brightest stars, she had a much less showy upbringing as the second daughter of four children born to Hakka parents who were both tailors.

Local Star, International Reach

After joining a beauty contest when she was 16, the budding actress got her big break starring in several local dramas, including Chronicle of Life that won her Best Newcomer and Best Actress at the Star Awards 1995.

Regional success soon followed before Hollywood came calling. Fann was the first Singaporean actress to star in an American blockbuster, appearing in 2003’s Shanghai Knights fighting opposite Jackie Chan and sharing an on-screen smooch with Owen Wilson.