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Sun, 17 Jun 2012
The New Paper
Abigail Chay says: I want to be more feminine
by Kwok Kar Peng
After a sex change operation at 22 and living your life as a woman for the last 31 years, imagine being told you are not yet "a complete woman" and that you still behave like a man.
You are also "definitely not pretty" and "if a man is to fall in love with you, it's probably for your money".
These are the harsh and hurtful words from her friend, Mr Jeffrey Chung, founder and owner of modelling agency Jeffrey Chung Models.
But Abigail Chay, one of Singapore's most famous transsexuals, is taking the comments positively.
The 53-year-old comedienne, entertainer and part-time English, speech and drama teacher, told The New Paper recently: "It's considered nice and kind compared to other people calling me an ah gua (Hokkien slang for sissy) before my operation...
"It doesn't matter whether anyone feels I'm pretty or not, as long as I find a man who accepts me for who I am. If people think I have money, I'm sorry, I don't. If they intend to 'cheat' me, that's part and parcel of life."
Chay, whose sex reassignment surgery and tumultuous love life was staged in a Hong Kong musical in January, admitted she was initially shocked when she heard Mr Chung's remarks, but felt he meant well.
They met earlier this year at local Internet radio station iN988, where they are guest presenters.
So to be more feminine and elegant, Chay has signed up for a personal grooming and professional modelling course organised by Mr Chung.
The eight two-hour lessons, which began on May28, cover areas such as deportment, posing for photos, skincare, make-up, hairstyling, catwalk and dining etiquette.
Said Mr Chung: "I told (Chay) it's wasted that after her sex change, everything is there but she has no charisma. Doctors can change physical attributes, but cannot change mannerisms, so this is Part Two of her sex change."
The New Paper
Abigail Chay says: I want to be more feminine
After a sex change operation at 22 and living your life as a woman for the last 31 years, imagine being told you are not yet "a complete woman" and that you still behave like a man.
You are also "definitely not pretty" and "if a man is to fall in love with you, it's probably for your money".
These are the harsh and hurtful words from her friend, Mr Jeffrey Chung, founder and owner of modelling agency Jeffrey Chung Models.
But Abigail Chay, one of Singapore's most famous transsexuals, is taking the comments positively.
The 53-year-old comedienne, entertainer and part-time English, speech and drama teacher, told The New Paper recently: "It's considered nice and kind compared to other people calling me an ah gua (Hokkien slang for sissy) before my operation...
"It doesn't matter whether anyone feels I'm pretty or not, as long as I find a man who accepts me for who I am. If people think I have money, I'm sorry, I don't. If they intend to 'cheat' me, that's part and parcel of life."
Chay, whose sex reassignment surgery and tumultuous love life was staged in a Hong Kong musical in January, admitted she was initially shocked when she heard Mr Chung's remarks, but felt he meant well.
They met earlier this year at local Internet radio station iN988, where they are guest presenters.
So to be more feminine and elegant, Chay has signed up for a personal grooming and professional modelling course organised by Mr Chung.
The eight two-hour lessons, which began on May28, cover areas such as deportment, posing for photos, skincare, make-up, hairstyling, catwalk and dining etiquette.
Said Mr Chung: "I told (Chay) it's wasted that after her sex change, everything is there but she has no charisma. Doctors can change physical attributes, but cannot change mannerisms, so this is Part Two of her sex change."
