Usually people's image of Louisa is one of openness, but actually when she was younger she was very quiet. "In othe people's eyes, I was a soft spoken, weak person, and I wasn't born happy." In primary school, she was an honours student, very obedient and garnered many awards, and the principal and teachers were fond of her. But once her guidance leader told her "Don't be like Lam Doi Yuk!" So, she thought "What's the use of being obedient. Actually at that time I went crazy when I played with the boys, and also had that naughty side. I think there were more fun moments compared to when I was obedient." Stepping into high school, her personality took an 180 degree turn, and Louisa became very active. She participated in many extra curricular activities, and came into contact with a lot more people, and she spoke more. Her life was more plentiful, she had more space, and she was happier and better to play with. Her happy personality is probably established during her high school years.
Each person in her family plays a role in the family. Her parents and sisters worked, and she needed to look after her brothers taking them to school and buying the groceries for dinner and then do her homework. "I am very used to taking care of other people and know how to take care of myself, and this began during that time." She is happy that she is fourth in her family, and doesnt have the pressure of marriage and children. "My mum has already stopped asking me when will you get married? Who will you marry? Have you married?"
It seems Louisa is happy, but actually, she has had times of tears. These tears have been for both happy and sad moments. Through the translucent teardrops, we take a look at her growing up.
Tears of friendship
Singpao (S): In a journal entry on your official website, you write that you watched a musical called Wicked, where in the second scene, the two female leads sing: "There are people that appear in one's life for different reasons. They will help us grow, allowing us to understand that things can be seen from many different angles, allowing us to realise the true value of life. ....Because I know you, I have already completely changed." It is at that moment, that you are teary. It is profoundly touching. Why were you so moved?
Louisa (L): At that moment I thought of a friend, and thought about the relationship we had, she certainly is no ordinary friend! When I saw those two females sing on stage, actually I thought of the things that have happened between us. They sang what I was feeling at the time, and I unintentionally cried, and was really moved. It was a natural physiological reaction. When the tears flowed, my first heart felt reaction was: Why is it like this? Before I certainly did not think that the friendship we had was any sort of special relationship. So I came to realise that our friendship was so deep within my heart, and in that moment I realised that this friend was actually really important to me.
Withstand the test
S: How did she completely change you?
L: Actually our friendship has been many years already! From high schol to now, from studying to working, we have respectively done our own things, respectively had our own friends. A lot of the time we may not see each other much, but I am very forgiving, after we didnt hear of each other, but later had had the chance to meet again. We realised that after seeing each other more, we truly valued our friendship, while I was clear at that moment that she was really important, and in my mind she was my Best friend. That moment proved that she was really my best friend, because even if we argue, I know that we may have something in our heart that we haven't said, but that is just a test of the relationship between us. After the test, the remaining is what is the most treasured friendship.
Tears of the beloved
S: Besides that time where the musical made you shed tears, in your memories, which time was the most profound tear?
L: There was one time. When I was really young, and I just began to understand things, it was during Primary 4/5, and our entire family lived in public housing. At that time we were certainly not rich. My parents worked. My family included my grandma, dad, mum, and my brothers and sisters, a total of 9 people. We had two double bunk beds, and a wooden bench. Entering our house, you could jump into bed with 2/3 steps. In our house was a wardrobe, a television, a kitchen, and a bathroom, and I think it was 200 feet! We lived at Shek Pai Wan Estate (?) in Aberdeen. At that time that is how I thought life was, and I think my childhood was very happy. It was one summer night, when there was still no air conditioning, and the wooden door had to be opened. In the middle of the night, I heard some arguing noises. It was actually my mum holding my little brother and arguing with my grandma, and she wanted to take my brother out. My grandma wanted to stop her. My grandma is a very frightening mother-in-law, and my mum and her would always argue. Basically, at that moment my mum was sitting beside the steel door crying, the yellow and orange lights in the corridor shone through the door onto her face. I clearly remember the look on her face. At the time I saw her cry and tears feel from my face. My mum is a woman of steel, a mysterious female hero, a person not to be reckoned with. She would never complain, and she wouldn't think that others are not good to her. After, my grandma had a stroke and needed to go to the doctor. My grandma has a bigger build that my mum, but my mum carried my grandma on her back to see the herbalist to get the medicine. My grandma had to say "Did you want to poison me?" I really remember that teary moment.
Excited without a tear
S: What is the the thing that has moved you the most, and made you cry?
L: I've just come back from Tibet, there were so many unforgettable things. I met many people and circumstances. The first week when we got back, we couldn't wait and met up to eat. I asked everyone what was the most unforgettable thing on the trip. Different people said different things. I asked the cameraman, and he said something that moved me a lot. I thought it moved me deeply, but I didn't cry. He said "What you said to me." Actually I exchanged a secret with him. I think our friendship changed to become very deep from that moment . With no apparent reason, you would not suddenly trust someone, so, I think this was a very precious experience. Although he is a very quiet person, he unexpectedly says to me: "Why don't we exchange a secret." I thought it was only during our school days that we would have this sort of attitude. To be able to meet this person and be able to exchange this type of secret, is I think very genuine and very satisfying, very moving. In that moment I truly treasured the things that happened during the Tibet trip.
S: Can you control your crying now?
L: I don't believe that crying is a shameful thing. I don't think its something to be laughed about, and it is a sincere psychological action.
S: When acting, can you cry easily?
L: Actually, its easier for me to cry in my life in comparison to when I am acting. Actually sometimes its really hard to cry when acting. Actually, it is sometimes very hard for the plot to move me, but certainly sometimes it can. But I think in real life there are more moving things.
Prologue: Being able to select your roles, and rather not take roles
Louisa has a safe, and locks unhappy thoughts in it, but this safe looks as if its not big. Most of the time she will release these unhappy thoughts from her heart, or delete these matters.
A few years ago, she realised she was not happy with life. She loved acting, and moreover she had many performance opportunities, but she was met with roles she didn't really like, or the television station's costars were not appropriate, but it was because she loved acting too much, these things made her mind and body exhausted. "You put in the hard work to do something, but you don't enjoy these roles, and you will think that its a pain, and lose your balance. So I told TVB that I would rather not work and that if I do work, I want to go to some other ideal places to work, or I can choose what I want to do. Now that I have changed to a partnership situation, film a series or two each year, and am able to obtain those not so idle roles. Moroever, at least I know that I can rest after working labourously for a period of time. At that time I hoped I could choose some roles that I liked, and those that I was really interested in, and are challenging, and roles that can move forward. Last year I performed two dramas that I really liked, maybe there were fewer television series, but actually I plan what I want to do during the year. Actually for each project I will ponder, did I do it appropriately? How did I go? How should I do it completely?
Not far from dreams
Louisa's dream house had to be 2000 feet, have a garden, and has ocean views. Actually, her current house is 1000 feet, and has mountain and ocean views, not far from her dreams. She also dreams of a sports car, Ferrari or Porsche Boxer. Actually, she is very pleased with her current 7 seater SUV, bought in 2002. She really enjoys the pleasure of driving, "I think the interior space in a car is really important, it is a very special space."
Currently Louisa lives freely. Her usual day dreams are "Boss listens to everything she says." Recently, in the gameshow Beautiful Cooking she was able to show her cooking skills, and increased her popularity. Now, she is preparing to publish a cookbook with her own special touch. She is shooting commercials and researching for her next telelvision role, and is busily engaged in work, but she says "Currently I am quite joyful, very satisfied."
Image Credits: Singpao
firthette's comments: I remember when I heard the radio interview and she talked about her mum.... I was so teary listening to it...
