| The
same old brand new Stefanie
July 27, 2001
Change. It happens to everyone and it is
part of growing up. After stepping into the working world, people
usually grow up older, wiser and worldly wise. Stefanie is no exception.
By Peng Wan Joo
(Click on pictures for larger image)
Ask her to pose for a picture and Stefanie still
shows off her pearly whites with the trademark V sign, just like
she did a year ago when I first met her at the NDP Concert By The
Bay.
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Stefanie a year ago
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Stefanie now
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A year ago, she was a fresh-eyed ingénue. "I
am so happy and proud to be able to perform here," she gushed backstage
when we interviewed her before her performance at the Carnival at
the Bay.
Perky, happy and cheerful, she banters easily
with my colleague and I and asked us, "Are you students? Both of
you look so young!"
But when we met her at the press conference
yesterday for the promotion of her new album, Stefanie looks different.
 Slightly
tired and seemingly more mature, Stefanie's wide-eyed, sunny disposition
has given way to a more knowing, media-weary 23 year-old. Something
in her eyes that tells us that the past year as a singer has indeed
enriched her life with lots of life experiences.
And it all becomes quite apparent when she goes
on to chat with us during the interview session.
 Life
as a singer is tough
"I never thought life as a singer would be this tough. I used to
think that a singer only needs to sing and I did not know that a
singer has to do so many extra things like promote herself and promote
her album," she says with a grimace which she brushes off easily
enough with a smile.
On top of making music, she has to deal with
the public, the media glare and also go on Taiwanese programmes
which have a reputation of making fun of celebrities.
  "But
it is not that bad actually," she adds as her sunny and positive
deposition takes over. "It is just chatting with people and besides,
I get to travel to a lot," says Stefanie who is glad she has become
a singer because it exposes her to the way people do things overseas
and widens her horizons.
On rumours 
Maturity and perhaps the need to remain sane have made Stefanie
rather nonchalant about rumours. "I think it is okay as long as
I know what I did and what I did not do," says the singer carelessly.
In fact, she thinks that the rumours (like
the love triangle between her, Jay and Jolin and the rumour where
she was said to be smoking 2 packets a day) don't affect her at
all and that is why, she has chosen not to elaborate or explain
them.
"So what if it is true?" she questions. "To
the public, my role is that of a singer. What I do in private and
my inclinations has got nothing to do with my role as a singer,"
reasons this business graduate with a degree in marketing.
Pressed to explain herself, Stefanie reveals
that she does smoke. "But it is ridiculous for me to smoke 2 packets
a day," says the social smoker who only smokes occasionally.
 "I
did not want to explain myself because smoking is after all bad
for health and I do not want to promote it. But I don't think it
should have any effect on my reputation or image (as a singer)."
As for the one about her love triangle with
Jay and Jolin where she is said to have fallen for good friend Jolin,
Stefanie sees no point in distancing herself from her pal just because
of a rumour. "We laugh about it ourselves because it is so ridiculous.
But honestly, I think people should respect other people's inclinations."
 In
fact, when asked to give junior, Yuki, some advice, Stefanie asked
Yuki not to be bogged down by what others say about him. "People
will make all sorts of comments but remember, these people are not
your friends. I repeat, they are not your friends so they do not
understand you at all," she says indignantly.
More
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Stefanie
Sun-most popular s'porean singer. She has broken the record newcomers/s'pore
singers in album sales, appeared in more than 10 commercials, has
more than 10 movies offers. She did s'pore proud! ...
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