Singaporean actress Paige Chua is no stranger to the spotlight, but her upcoming performance at the Singapore Heart Foundation's 55th Anniversary Charity Show on June 29 promises to be a heart-pounding experience - literally. The multi-talented star will be making her public piano debut in what she describes as "definitely going to be quite stressful."
During an exclusive interview with AsiaOne at Tuesday's press conference (June 3), the 43-year-old revealed her nerves about performing live piano for the first time before an audience. Her musical piece, titled "Harmony Four," will feature a special collaboration with local acting veteran Chen Hanwei and young talents Newton and Newman Tong.
A versatile musician who already plays both the dizi (Chinese flute) and guzheng (Chinese zither), Paige recently showcased her skills during February's River Hongbao celebrations. Yet despite her musical background, she admits the piano presents unique challenges: "It's always been my private escape - something I play alone in my room to de-stress. Having people watch me play? That's completely new territory."
The actress traces her complicated relationship with piano back to childhood lessons that began at age five: "Classical training proved too difficult initially, so I quit. When I rediscovered piano at 14 through pop music, everything clicked because I could connect with songs I actually listened to." While modest about her skills ("my foundation isn't super strong"), she can read music and hopes this will carry her through the charity performance.
A Personal Mission Beyond Music
Paige's participation carries deeper significance than just musical performance. Following a recent health scare where routine tests revealed unexpectedly high cholesterol levels ("I was shocked - it can lead to heart disease!"), she aims to raise awareness about cardiovascular health.
"Even if you look fit," Paige emphasizes, "you might not be as healthy as you think. My message is simple: get regular checkups and mind your diet." The self-proclaimed fried food enthusiast jokes about cutting back on fries while increasing exercise, though genetics may also play a role in her condition.
A Lifetime of Giving Back
The charity event aligns perfectly with Paige's longstanding commitment to philanthropy. For seventeen years running since 2008, she has volunteered weekly with Willing Hearts soup kitchen after being inspired by founder Tony Tay's vision: "His philosophy that everyone deserves dignified meals resonated deeply during my post-graduation soul-searching period."
What began as temporary volunteer work became a lifelong passion thanks to Willing Hearts' uplifting environment: "The cheerful atmosphere makes service sustainable - that's why seventeen years later, I'm still peeling vegetables every Saturday morning before sunrise." Through both musical performance and advocacy work alike demonstrates how small acts create meaningful change when sustained over time.
