Pictures: ntv7
In the flesh, actress TIFFANY LEONG looks mature beyond her age, a characteristic that has served her well in her career. The 24-year-old tells hot: "I've always played older characters in dramas. So yeah, my character and I share similar traits - we are both very mature people!"
Having emerged first runner-up in the Miss Malaysia Chinese Cosmos beauty pageant in 2005, Tiffany used the competition as a platform to launch her acting career. She soon landed acting roles in local TV series The Beginning and Fallen Angel, where she played strong, independent characters, and later, thanks to her confidence and poise, earned major roles in other local drama series. She was once even cast alongside the Queen of Cool, Singaporean actress ZOE TAY, for a TV drama.
Once again, in her latest role, Tiffany plays a mature TV producer who is also a strict sister to her younger sibling in ntv7's latest family drama series Welcome Home, My Love. Here, she tells us about her role, her relationship with her actual sister and gives us tips on how to be a better sibling.
Tell us about your character in your new show, Welcome Home, My Love.
She is a mature person. I play a TV producer of a reality show who orders people around. She's also the third child among her 'siblings' in the drama.
Would you say you're a lot like your character?
You know, I've always played older characters in dramas. So yeah, my character and I share similar traits - we are both very mature people! And in reality, I'm also the third child in my family. In the show, my character's father dotes on her. In real life, it's the same!
Who do you look to for inspiration to play such mature roles?
Before I ventured into acting, I joined a beauty pageant called Miss Malaysia Chinese Cosmo and I was crowned first runner-up. I had a teacher who taught me how to pose and be ladylike. I also think I have a sense of maturity and that helps a lot with my acting.
In the series, your character has two older brothers and a younger sister. Who are you closest to?
I think I would have to choose my 'father' because he is the main character who binds the 'siblings' together. But I would also choose MayJune Tan, who plays my younger sister in the show. She goes to my character for advice on her love life and so forth.
Tell us about the two brothers in the show.
The brothers always bully me! Especially Steve! The characters are played by Steve Yap and Leslie Chai. Steve will always comment on my dressing without fail. But he's just kidding. We're like a real family [laughs].
What's your relationship with your real siblings like?
I have a sister who is nine years younger than I am. She is in her teens and teenagers tend to do outrageous things. As an older sister, I will advise her against it. I don't bully her; when I speak to her, I tend to get emotional and cry.
What's the best way to advise a younger sibling who's stubborn?
I will tell them off. And I normally do that three times - the third time is the last chance for them to turn over a new leaf. If they don't listen to my advice, I have nothing else to add. I would never beat my siblings though!
What's great about being an older sister off and on the show?
Let me think [pauses]. I can order my sister around! I will send her off to do chores [laughs].
And what's the worst part?
You have to be a good example to them. There was one time when I didn't speak to my sister for one month! She made a cake to say sorry but I refused to acknowledge her. I'd rather have her be afraid of me. If I had accepted the cake, it would have given her the message that I forgive too easily! After that one month, she became a better person. It worked!
In the show, your character is happily married. In real life, are you seeing anyone?
No. Previously I was dating someone but now I'm concentrating on my career. But if I ever get married, I want to have two kids!
If you decide to get back into the dating game, what qualities would you look for in a guy?
He must be taller than me [she's 175cm tall]. Height matters to me. He's also got to be mature like me. He must love me too!
Tell us three things we don't know about you.
I am someone who is very active and energetic, unlike the ladylike image I portray. I can be fun and cheerful. It's also hard for me to cry, I won't cry in front of people. Lastly, I am afraid of heights and darkness.
