Modern Woman: Grace Chan

The 21st century girl doesn’t pertain to any stereotype. She’s a chick of many talents. One moment she’s in Europe, the next she’s in Asia. She’s working on several artistic projects at once and killing it at every single one. She’s a mix of races – picking up different cultures as she travels. She’s the mysterious girl at the party everyone wants to get to know.

Meet Grace Chan, the winner of Miss Hong Kong 2013 who is now an actress under TVB, Hong Kong’s biggest TV network. We caught up with her and talked about school, childhood, being Miss Hong Kong, family and dating.

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Photography and Interview by Lauren Engel
Makeup: Jaime Smith of Smudge Makeup Artistry
Location: Gaucho Hong Kong, Prime Asia PR

Where were you born?
I was born in Hong Kong but when I was 5 I moved to Canada until I was 22. After graduation I returned to Hong Kong.

What was your personality like when you grew up?
I was a lot more shy. Maybe because my older sister is very energetic and my brother would play a lot with her. In high school when I found my own group of friends I got more confident. I have a twin brother as well and he always took care of me, whenever I had too many questions he would tell me not to put too much pressure on myself. But nowadays I am sometimes the one that gives advices to him, so the dynamic between us is always changing.

“You have to deal with a lot of people all the time and not everyone treats you in a nice way. But this is the same no matter where you work. So you just need to learn to be more confident and stand up for yourself. And as a celebrity you can then even encourage other people to do so and set a good example.”

Have you always considered to go into acting?
No, I actually I wanted to be a teacher. But after I returned over here and became Miss Hong Kong I got asked to act in TV shows and I just realized that I actually enjoy doing it.

How did you even think of attending the Miss competition?
I just always wanted to it. Every year during the summer I came back to Hong Kong to visit my grandmother and this was also always the time when they had the competition going on, so I always thought I could try that in the future.

Were you afraid about being on TV?
Overseas, people are more used to appear in bikinis but over here they make it into a big thing and really focus on that. It’s like wow she has boobs and a butt. But everyone does! laughs. During that time I kept telling myself that it doesn’t matter, just be confident. I know that I’m really thin and everyone has different bodies but I know this is me.

And afterwards you got signed with TVB to do TV shows, right?
Yes, for a year I did charity work and afterwards I started acting in TV shows. Maybe in the future I can do movies. That will be my next goal.

Who is your favourite actress?
I really like Meryl Streep. Recently I really started liking Reese Witherspoon because her range is really big. Serious films, funny films she can do it all. Now she has a show called Big Little Lies. It’s so good, she’s so good in it. Her character is like a tiger mom but loveable.

“With social media there are those two sides and you decide what you focus on: People who attack you and the fact that social media can be bad at times or on the other hand it can connect you with great people.”

Now so much of the entertainment industry is focused on social media. How do you deal with cyber bullying?
Yah, I talk to people who have been in the industry for so long and they said it’s unlucky because now there are so many people using social media. Now there are people who will attack you online and voice their opinions. Some don’t even have reason, if they don’t like you they don’t like you. I feel quite discouraged at times. Sometimes I’m like, why do you have to say these hurtful things to me and what am I doing this for? But at the same time with social media so many people found me and fans are sending encouraging messages too. There are those two sides and you decide what you focus on: People who attack you and the fact that social media can be bad at times or on the other hand it can connect you with great people. But it´s not that easy because I admit that sometimes when I have a great day, I open my instagram and see someone writing: “Grace, I hate you and stop acting.”, my mood can change and it makes me sad to read that.

Were you prepared entering the entertainment field? Were your parents scared for you?
They were really scared. One of the reasons why they were scared for me participating in Miss Hong Kong is that I might face lots of situations that will make me unhappy and even though back then I didn´t understand them, I now get what they were trying to protect me from. You have to deal with a lot of people all the time and not everyone treats you in a nice way. But this is the same no matter where you work. So you just need to learn to be more confident and stand up for yourself. And as a celebrity you can then even encourage other people to do so and set a good example.

So enough of work, let´s talk about love. Did you date in high school and college?
I did, a bit. Some puppy love, when I see them I’m like ohhhh. laughs. But I only had one serious boyfriend. At that time I thought that school and friends was everything, boyfriends can come later.

Why do you think it’s the right time now?
Because I met the right person. My boyfriend is a bit older than me so I like him because he’s really mature. He handles things really well and he has taught me a lot, he’s really patient. I really like this type of person, who takes care of you.

“If two people love each other the age gap doesn’t matter to me. It’s about getting along well and if you match or not, that is what is important.”

Did the media go on about this age gap between the two of you?
Well, I knew what I was getting into. If two people love each other the age gap doesn’t matter to me. It’s about getting along well and if you match or not, that is what is important.

What do you have in mind for next ten years?
I don’t know. Right now I will just do a great job with what I am doing and start trying out other things along the way.

How about outside of work?
I think just myself, I want to increase my confidence level. As we were talking about with cyberbullying, I don’t feel like I’ve gotten to the level where I can really say I don’t care.

Last question, what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope to be a good sister, a good daughter and a good girlfriend. If people beside me feel my love then I am content!

Fur Jacket: Unreal Fur, Dress: Missguided