Vicki Zhao keeps mum on Singapore citizenship

By Ewen Boey – October 12th, 2010

 

Princess Pearl star Vicki Zhao is keeping mum about applying for citizenship in Singapore despite having lived here for almost one year.

Zhao, who married Chinese property magnate Huang You Long in 2008, has close ties to Singapore – she recently gave birth to her baby daughter in April at Gleneagles Hospital and she is also believed to be a Singapore Permanent Resident.

But ask the 34-year-old why she chose to have her child in Singapore or what her plans are regarding her family and rumoured citizenship plans and the star of Asian hit movies like Red Cliff, Shaolin Soccer, Mulan and 14 Blades remains tight-lipped.

Revealed as the new brand ambassador of beauty and slimming centre Mary Chia, the svelte star — who has shed 10kg off her weight after giving birth — repeatedly fended off media questions about her family and rumoured rocky relationship with her husband with a “I would rather not talk about this.”

Speaking to Yahoo! Singapore, Zhao would only later say, “There is no long-term plan to raise my daughter in Singapore. I’ll see how it goes. If I like it at a particular location, I’ll live there. Moving about and leading a carefree life makes me happier.”

Despite her reluctance to reveal why her family chose to settle in Singapore, Zhao – who was voted by mainland Chinese as the “most beautiful Chinese woman” in 2005 – admits she finds the city-state ”comfortable”.

When she first arrived, Zhao thought that Singaporeans were not aware about her celebrity status because she was never stopped on the streets by fans. However, to her pleasant surprise, she discovered that Singaporeans actually did know her but simply chose not to intrude.

“Singapore is a very suitable location for people in our line of work to live in. It is peaceful, serene and the people are friendly. It is comfortable being here,” said the wide-eyed Chinese actress.

“I like the way of life here. I can do what I love daily, like swimming. It is a great way to recharge,” she added.

But asked if there was anything she did not like about Singapore and she eventually admitted, “I cannot get chewing gum here.”