FORMER Miss Hong Kong Grace Chan has been gaining lots of attention recently, and not just for her good features. Now based in Hong Kong, the Canadian actress has been making waves after appearing in the recently-ended hit drama series Brother’s Keeper 2.
In it she plays Nana, daughter of a wealthy property developer. She falls in love with Lo Wai Son, her father’s business rival.
While some have criticised Chan’s acting skills, there’s no denying that audiences generally love her. After all, Chan is in the running for My Favourite TVB Actress In A Leading Role at the upcoming TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2016.
“I have put in a lot of hard work and soul for my role in Brother’s Keeper 2. I really hope the audience will respond well to it,” says the 25-year-old.
This isn’t the first time that Chan’s acting has come under heavy fire. Last year, she was criticised for overacting on Captain Of Destiny.
Even screen veteran Anthony Wong called her acting annoying. “I was nervous and felt extremely stressed out. Prior to Captain, I had filmed two series back-to-back and was put through a lot of stress. I was upset about the negative comments but I did my best. I hope I can improve my future performances,” says Chan.
After winning the Miss Hong Kong Pageant in 2013, Chan joined TVB. At that time, the station’s established talents such as Myolie Wu, Aimee Chan and Kate Tsui had decided not to renew their contracts. The station then promoted Chan after her performance in Overachievers.
She is also in the running for My Favourite Top 15 TVB Drama Characters (Blue Veins) and My Favourite TVB On Screen Couple (Blue Veins and Brother’s Keeper 2).
Chan, who is romantically-linked to actor Kevin Cheng, expressed her excitement when the two were nominated for the My Favourite TVB On Screen Couple award. Cheng is also nominated for My Favourite TVB Actor In A Leading Role and My Favourite Top 15 TVB Drama Characters (both for Blue Veins).
Asked to choose between winning the My Favourite TVB Actress In A Leading Role award and sacrificing it so that her boyfriend could win instead, Chan smiled shyly and says that Cheng deserves the award more.
“I hope he wins because both of us had such great fun working together in Blue Veins. Besides, I’ve already felt like a winner after receiving the nominations,” she says.
Meanwhile, Koni Lui and Joyce Tang who both played sisters-in-law in the comedy drama House Of Spirits, couldn’t stop “arguing” with each other at the event. Just like in the series, both bantered over who should be the more deserving winner for My Favourite TVB Actress In A Supporting Role.
“If there is a Best Argument category in the awards show, both of us will qualify,” says Lui, the second runner-up at the Miss Hong Kong 2006 pageant. The lanky actress-model adds that more people recognise her now.
“The moment I landed in Kuala Lumpur, fans rushed forward and said they loved my acting in House Of Spirits. That’s the highest honour an actor can get. I don’t like to stress myself out thinking about the award. An award is an added bonus to encourage one to work harder in the future,” says Lui, who earned the nickname Long-legged Crab after her lanky frame.
Also at the event were Hong Cheung, Ali Lee, Sisley Choi, Mat Yeung, Katy Kung and Candice Chiu.
To be held at the Arena Of Stars in Genting Highland on Nov 26, TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2016 will be broadcast live to several countries including Singapore, Hong Kong, Australia and New Zealand. Voting is currently open to all Malaysians until Nov 19. Fans can vote for their favourites via the TVB Stars Awards Malaysia 2016 app on their smartphones and tablets.
A pair of exclusive tickets to the event and TVB merchandise are up for grabs. Visit TVB Jade Pack on its official Facebook page for details.