The New Girl on the Block
Christy Yow
Stand aside Michelle Yeoh, a new star is coming to town!
Pulses are set to race when Singapore director Eric Khoo films the long awaited movie Mei Gui Xiang (The Charming Rose), about Malaysia’s Striptease Queen, Rose Chan.
Having had a difficult time finding the right actress to play the role where stiff criteria like “the sultry lips of Shu Qi, the voluptuous figure of Fiona Xie, the height of Beatrice Chia, and the poise and complexion of Gong Li, act like Maggie Cheung and can tell jokes like Irene Ang”. And further complicated by the requirement to speak both Mandarin and Cantonese and be comfortable with nudity and snake handling, it is with a sense of Perakian pride that we applaud Ipohite Christy Yow Wei Min having been cast as the leading lady. The well endowed 23-year-old affectionately called Malaysia Giant Breasts, will cut her teeth in the movie. In interviews, she was quick to stress that she secured the role after successfully beating several hundred other candidates in year-long auditions and that it wasn’t just her physical attributes, a generous 36C, that qualified her. Filming is expected to commence later this year in Shanghai. Furthermore, Singaporean actress Irene Ang of Phua Chu Kang fame, will be playing the older Chan in this French production.
Non-pornographic
Anyone imagining this to be a pornographic movie will be disappointed, though rewarded by the occasional nude scenes. This movie, depicting the life and work of Rose Chan, also known as ‘The Flower of Malaya’, is a tribute to a grand lady who entertained, enthralled and endeared herself to many in 1950s Malaya. It is also a story of triumph and preservation. Rose’s life was tinged with sadness and the film hopes to capture her courageous and charitable spirit as well as display her ingenuity and generosity.
Traumatic History
She arrived with her adoptive mother from Shanghai at 6, was sold for RM3,000 at 16, was two-timed by her sister and fiancé at 18, and in a desperate search for love and happiness, married five times before being diagnosed with breast cancer at 61. Sadly, she died the following year before an American publisher could write her life-story and make a film. Significantly, Ipoh was Rose’s transition point. The young Wai Cheng adopted the stage name Rose Chan following a furious argument with her sister. Right until 27, she toured Malaya as a cabaret girl, until an accident at the Majestic Theatre in Ipoh, launched her career as a striptease artiste. It was whilst performing that her bra-strap snapped. The crowds went ballistic and roared their approval. She was nonplussed, “I dance all night, I sweat so much, nobody claps. My bra breaks, they clap”. The rest as they say is history. Rose Chan, the Striptease Queen, was born.
Charity Queen
Throughout her life, she gave generously to charity, for children and old folks’ homes. She also danced in aid of worthy projects. Her altruism earned her the title, Charity Queen. She even performed in Europe, Australia and Indonesia.
Christy’s Tough Assignment
When Christy Yow first left Ipoh, she aimed to become a stewardess with Singapore Airlines but failed to proceed beyond the first round of interviews. Undaunted, she became the brand ambassador for Crocodile with photo-shoots in London and Vietnam. Having featured on Harper’s Bazaar and Vogue, she then tried singing, and appeared in celebrity game-shows. Although her acting and physical attributes are obvious assets, one wonders how she will cope with the daring performances like Rose Chan’s python-wrestling act, or her unusual stunts of motorcycles riding over her body. Christy has already admitted a phobia of snakes.
Rose Chan’s bitter rival was Ipoh born Rose Marly, who was rumoured to be more beautiful and taller, but who had a shorter stage life. Are the producers searching for someone to play Rose Marly?
Rose’s fans are either dead or in their sixties or seventies now. Will they recall her raunchy acts? Will they be captivated with Christy’s portrayal of Rose?
I am told that my uncle received the ‘handbag treatment’ from his then girlfriend for having many boys’ nights out, to see Rose Chan at the Jubilee Park. Dare I ask him if he’ll be given permission to watch the movie when it is out?
YMM
Category: Commentary, Letters from Ulu Kinta, News in Brief
Dear Christy,
A golden opportunity doesn’t come everyday. We (except for a few fellas!) are so proud of you not because of your bust size. We are proud of you because of what you have set out to achieve and you have proven you can do it! We respect you as an individual. Go chase after your dream and follow your passion! Act with integrity, trust and compassionate! Your dream will eventually come through. We will be forever proud of you! Cheers!
L
You’re one loyal Ipohite. Keep it up. We’re mighty proud of you, Christy.
As for Rose Chan, she’s peerless. God bless her soul.
Hi,
Thanks for such a comprehensive report of the journey of “Rose Chan” I am thankful to be a Ipohite; giving the advantage of language
We should still be proud of Michelle Yeoh. She has also been the reason I left Ipoh to pursue my dream of acting on the big screen.
I have said in most of my interview that I want to be a Malaysian actress and hope that I have more opportunity here though Singapore has given me the platform.
Once again, thanks for remembering me
Christy