Sharon Butler - Director, Corporate Partnerships & Social Investment But for the next three years, Sharon continued grinding it out at Mediacorp. This is life." Now, I can finally become somebody that I want to be. Upon hearing Sharon utter those words, Rumis quote of Forget safety. 'I need to heal first and reevaluate life in France': Sharon Au quits Time away from the limelight allowed Sharon to recentre herself, and upon graduating from Waseda University with a Bachelor of Liberal Arts degree in 2011, she returned to Singapore with an invigorated sense of purpose and identity. These included beauty products, clothes, shoes and jewellery. To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience, download the mobile app. 2023 High Net Worth All rights reserved. So I didn't go for that treatment.". I didnt expect it to be under such circumstances. The Emancipation of Sharon Au | High Net Worth ", ALSO READ:Darren Lim turns his yacht into a business opportunity, takes people out on rides. Or perhaps Picasso, in all his cubism glory, might do a better job. She said in that 2018 interview: "For example, when I'm on the train, I don't use my phone because it will be snatched away. From a cabaret girl in the 1998 stage musical, to a bubbly radio presenter in the sitcom. Modest Rally in Asian Equities Expected as Regional Economies Remain Supportive and Valuations Reasonable, Dubai-Based Real Estate Developer Omniyat Launches Ultra-Luxury Beachfront Residences, Singapore Buyers Show Strong Interest in Mixed-Use Development in Londons Vauxhall, This Residential Tower in Dubai Features Interiors by Pagani, What to Expect at the Newly Reopened I12 Katong Retail Mall, Are You a HNWI? No judgement. I just wanted to restart my life and go back to school, Sharon declares. Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then. I wished I had at least saved more, or at least invested.". As long as [you] havent reach menopause, its still possible (sic), one netizen wrote. For Sharon Au, who resigned from Mediacorp in 2018before securing a new job, it gave her a temporary place to stay. Mums cool response? Our management team | UBS Global - Investment Bank A far cry from the Sharon who had a reputation for being a workaholic. [7] In the same year; she played the female lead, Madam Kwa Geok Choo, in The LKY Musical, alongside actor Adrian Pang, for 37 shows in the Marina Sands Theatre. In 2018, the Airbnb home that she rented was broken into when she wasn't in. That was when she knew she had to get serious help. "The IMH must check-in for seven days, and surrender your phone. I fell in love with the country and knew I had to come back today. And from then on, I changed the way I lived, Sharon reveals with a tenderness in her voice. When her best friend Melissa from, discovered that Dennys was her temporary abode, she immediately brought Sharon into her home and announced to her mother that Sharon will be staying with us from now on, because she is homeless. No questions asked. Director at Regional Investment Corporation Greater Adelaide Area. In 2015, she auditioned for The LKY Musical, and got the coveted role of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, but life took a sharp turn when her close secondary school friend passed away from a heart attack. Perhaps I was feeling too vulnerable back then," said Ms Au. I spoke to [my mum about coming back] and she said 'don't be silly! I actually tore down everything and spent a lot of money to refurbish the whole car. Thankfully, she eventually found a competent counsellorin April 2012 one that was recommended by her mother, who had grown increasingly desperate when Au did not get any better. SINGAPORE - Sharon Au's dream life in Paris recently turned into a nightmare when her apartment was broken into on April 30. Unless youre the anti-virus, dont come back.. One even suggested for Sharon to pay a visit to a sperm bank cos its very common in Europe. Web development by Ripplewerkz. Greater Reading Area. He was so shocked to know that because to him, I was someone very capable and talented, and someone he admired.". "I've been pushing myself, my entire first 40 years of my life. Go splurge with your first paycheck: Sharon Au explains why that's okay Right after graduating from school, Sharon Au joined Singapore Airlines as a flight stewardess. Chris Leone. Despite being trapped by an oppressive regime dictated by the entertainment industry, she continued to work hard and went on to clinch Best Variety Show Host at the Star Awards for four consecutive years, from 2000 to 2003. echoes in my head. But case in point exactly. But Au also found the rumour "sobering", as she realised that most people would only make such a drastic change to their lives if they were dying. He said: "Whenever I have time, I think it's very important to invest in myself. The woman was me, when I was studying in Paris in 2008. [14] Since October 2018, she is currently an investment director with the private equity firm in Paris. If an artist were to draw a youthful version of Sharon, it might be Piet Mondrianbest known for his abstract paintings consisting of squares and rectangles. I even flewin parts from the UK to Singapore and that got me into deep s***.". Seems like she isn't taking it that slow just yet. I had everything, yet I felt a huge void, she says. You must grab on to the connections you make and it helps to have a benefactor," Sharon said. Today, she is proud to be the author of her own destiny, who is finally comfortable in her own skin. Fraught with despair over her unexpected death, Sharon continued to deliver a stunning performance. It had gotten to the point where she felt, "Life has no meaning, why not just end it?". Her deep love for the arts grew when she recognised its value, serving as a mirror of her life. Woodlands had dinosaurs before it was cool. Sharon didn't go into details about the meeting, including its purpose or who was present, but the last positions she held prior to her departure wereas the publisher for Elle Singapore and the lead of styleXstyle.com. The total number of cases in Singapore stands at 57,915. But she told The Straits Times that she resigned from her position after the burglary and is currently not working or looking for a new job. Other netizens also added that there are other options available, like adoption, or getting a surrogate mother. We all want to put our best foot forward in our work and contribute as much as we can. Au: I studied there for six years, so I've gotten used to it, very different. I am sure she is concerned, but she is not the type to panic. During her teenage days, she had spent a night in Marymount Girls Home and witnessed many girls in dismal circumstances. Nonetheless, Au thoroughly enjoyed her six years in Japan so much so that she fell into depression and post-traumatic stress disorder(PTSD) when she had to leavein 2011, after an earthquake took the lives of more than 19,000 people. When she realised telling jokes drew people to her and made her forget about the dreary realities of life, Au started living through that persona. The savvy entrepreneur managed to secure the involvement of Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Singapore, and persuaded Jean Schmitt (managing partner of Jolt Capital) to come on board. 2012 - 2017: Director and Senior Counsel, Global Capital Markets Legal (Asia, ex-Japan) 2009 - 2011: Vice President, ECM Legal (Asia, ex Japan) The first figure is an old man seated with his head bowed and the second figure is an inconspicuous woman at the fireplace in a corner, tending to the fire. The longest would be a stay for one year and I had to move to another relative's house. Imed Souki I remember crying after the meeting as I closedmy laptop and packed up. But when former local celebrity Sharon Au shared her ideas passionately at work, she was"scolded for it". in the 90s, where she would regale audiences nightly with her lively anecdotes and witty banter alongside co-hosts Kym Ng and Bryan Wong. In fact, libations arent necessary, as she is exceedingly open. Wei-Sun is responsible for the origination, structuring and execution of fund investments, along with the ongoing management of portfolio companies in North America. I lost my friends as I was too arrogant, or perhaps too busy to care.. Sharon Au is back from Paris but not for long. By clicking subscribe, I agree for my personal data to be used to send me TODAY newsletters, promotional offers and for research and analysis. She also said that she has moderate scoliosis since young, and needs a medical bed at home for her spinal condition. Former Mediacorp actress and host Sharon Au shared a short message on her Instagram on October 15, musing about her "biggest regret". Running away has always been Sharons source of comfort, a constant theme in her life that she has grown to be familiar with. And it also didn't help that Au couldn't come to terms with the fact that she was depressed. Instead of acting, she took up an executive position at Mediacorp, citing Japan as one of the, Living in Japan transformed me. She followed instructions, took direction well, but had little autonomy over her actions much like a marionette. As a provocateur and an innovator in technique, Rembrandt was constantly reinventing himself. Global Head of Investment Bank Research. More specifically, to savour an experience. It was really all on impulse., I disliked myself in Singapore, because it was all about advancing my career. This is not Au's first brush with burglary in Paris - but her reaction back then was vastly different. She said: "When people think of Paris, they think about Michelin [Star restaurants]. All rights reserved. Zo Evans. Au sat through the entire 45-minute session (she had paid good money for it anyway), but she never visited another psychiatrist again. Sharon Letendre - Director of Client Relations/Investment - LinkedIn No. When I ask for the reason behind her move, she pauses before replying:I disliked myself in Singapore, because it was all about advancing my career. Sydney, Australia. "I was brought up to not rely too much on a particular family or person. A Tinted Edge (in Mandarin, ), Toy Factory Productions, Chessmaster (in Mandarin, ), Toy Factory Productions, Singapore, 2002, Happy Ghost (in Mandarin, ), Spring-Time Stage Productions, Singapore, 2003, The LKY Musical, Metropolitan Productions, Singapore, 2015, This page was last edited on 31 January 2023, at 07:19. To complete the course, students will spend one week in one of the chef's kitchen,after which they receive certification should they pass. From a cabaret girl in the 1998 stage musical, Beauty World to a bubbly radio presenter in the sitcom Right Frequency, she made every single character believable. I was unhappy and empty inside. Three months later, Sharon left at the peak of her career and found herself in Tokyo, without a concrete plan in mind. Going back to school made me the same down-to-earth person I was before I joined the media.. UPDATE [May 12, 2022] Sharon Au has since resigned from her position at the private equity firm after the burglary and is not looking for a new job at the moment, reported The Straits Times. After her resignation, she movedto Paris because she wanted to start afreshbut no one there would hire her. Instead, my landlord was a lot more upset and she was very apologetic about it. I also enjoy encouraging others to do the same . I didn't know what I was doing. A post shared by Sharon Au (@sharonau13) on Apr 23, 2018 at 11:39pm PDT. ALSO READ:Sharon Au once came to work without a bra, Kym Ng reveals, for her upcoming meWATCH series Money Money Home, episode of the meWATCH talkshow Hear U Out, Sharon Au once came to work without a bra, Kym Ng reveals. There are striking parallels between her (older self) and the great painter. Ms Au and Mediacorp released statements announcing her resignation back in 2018. Whatever your choice, we're cheering for you!. Before we say au revoir, though, Au will star in an upcoming Chinese play "Sages of the Bamboo Grove", at the Esplanade onJan 31 and Feb. 1, 2020. And now it is really too late, read her caption, which was accompanied by a couple pictures of her bonding with a friends kid. I have nothing now.". Sharon Au - Singapore | Professional Profile | LinkedIn However, the one silver lining was that Rudon (whom she often posts about) waited for her to return home despite witnessing the break-in. The more she dived into her work, the less time she had for herselfto a point where she suffered yet another identity crisis. Sharon Au moved to the City of Love in 2018 and had been working as an investment director in a private equity firm. Sharon also shared a photo on Instagram Storyof Rudon looking at a police officer in the apartment. Others also showed their support for Sharons choice, with one netizen writing: There are many ways to 'be' a mother and many little ones who would be blessed by your presence in their lives. - global client services. And I go like, 'Aiyo, how come Singapore also has earthquake? And i, Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris and Singapore. Investment Director Job Description | Velvet Jobs Sharon Au Reliable workaholic. Responsible for: - Australia & New Zealand sales & client businesses. But Sharon doesnt like Picasso. We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with TODAY to be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be. I drew a complete blank and had nothing to wish for. Sharon Au quits investment director job in Paris after apartment robbed Be notorious, echoes in my head. One of them emailed me about work at 12am - 1am, require the report be sent to him by 9.30 am next day (work start at 9am). Since I was young, I was thrown from place to place. So I just stopped the meeting and just held on lah. And she does not deny that she has becomevastly different from the Sharon Au that people knew. As an actress and a host for more than 10 years of her life, Sharon is used to following a script that doesnt give her any agency. . Her. Quiet Inlet, a sweet Kayuki cocktail, is a popular choice of drug, but today, Sharon is happy sipping water. - global investment operations. I started crying like crazy. [13] Intending to take a year of sabbatical, she instead applied for a job at a private equity firm after spending two months in Paris, France. After staying with Melissas family for two years, Sharons aunt finally took her back in. Sharonadded: "Starting from zero. At some pointin our adolescence, some of us may have run away from home before. Reflecting on the financial mistakes in her "young starlet days" in the television business, Sharon said: "I was so overwhelmed with the joy of being famous and earning money, so I bought a lot ofmaterial goods.". "And when I feel good and rejuvenated, I know I'll be ready for tomorrow.". ', But I chickened out. Sharon Au - Investment Management Corporation of Ont.. | ZoomInfo The couple created a joint bank account and matched their monthly savings dollar-by-dollar, which freed Darren from his debts. Sharon Davis - Executive Director, Future Super Investment Services This was after she had completed her overseas studies and was serving her bond with the company on the corporate end. Life is all about connections. Her perspective on her career underwent an adjustment. It brought her back to the past and reopened long-buried wounds. : @maxberlinparis #Maje #soire #change #yolo, A post shared by Sharon Au (@sharonau13) on Apr 3, 2018 at 7:27pm PDT, You lead the life you want. Coming back to Singapore proved to be a blow for Au. Then, Singapore was the third country to report cases of the coronavirus and was one of the worst-hit outside China, so the former actress-host, who now works as an investment director in a private equity firm in Paris, was understandably worried for her mum back home. You must grab on to the connections you make and it helps to have a benefactor," she said at that time. The 46-year-old is working as an investment director at a private equity firm in Paris. I had everything, yet I felt a huge void, she says. I wish every day is October. Time away from the limelight allowed Sharon to recentre herself, and upon. The feeling of being unwanted was made worse at school, where Au could see that her friends had parents and by extension, a stable environment. My mum never once showed that she panicked, neither was she hysterically asking me to fly home like the parents of my friends. Urgent message. In an attempt to. She said in an interview that she grew up in a humble and modest apartment, and she is very close to her mother. Since then Sharon has changed 5 companies and 5 roles. find the elusive answer to that question, she packed her bags once moreonly this timeshe headed to Paris instead of Japan. In Paris, I was able to dive deep into my psyche and I got to know myself all over again. I didnt know what I was doing. During one of the nights, Sharon had reserved a ticket at the Marina Sands Theatre for her friend to watch the performance, but she never showed up. Former Mediacorp star Sharon Au, now living in Paris, speaks of her Watching her mothers marriage fail twice and seeing her loved ones leave her, only fuelled her ambition to pursue every single opportunity (from hosting to acting) with a dogged mentality. With more time on her hands, Sharon got reacquainted with her artistic side and started to write a lot. So I thought to myself better just play safe and stay in my apartment instead of flying back.. "He was alone in the apartment and witnessed everything. However, she had been accused of mimicking an Indian accent during the SEA Games opening ceremony. Despite being trapped by an oppressive regime dictated by the entertainment industry, she continued to work hard and went on to clinch Best Variety Show Host at the Star Awards for four consecutive years, from 2000 to 2003. Because my childhood was such that I had to move several times in a year. For Darren, the father-of-four has been into watercolour painting, playing the celloand pottery. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. She recalls working completely insane hours, not even having enough time to pause for dinner. Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you. [11], On 4 January 2018, it was announced that her last day of service in Mediacorp would be on 1 February 2018. If you like what you read, follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Telegram to get the latest updates. It was only when I turned 30 that I realised how much I disliked myself, she remarks. Its ok, the next best thing is to be a nanny and play with my friends beautiful kids! she went on to say, adding the hashtag c'est la vie which roughly means such is life. After all, self-love is the best kind of love. Make it happen for yourself. All rights reserved. I choose to strike first. I wanted to learn to like myself, to live by myself with nothing. She responded the next day on her Facebook page and apologised the following day. What about you guys? That was what led to her decision to "dramatically" resign from Mediacorp in 2018. Instead of acting, she took up an executive position at Mediacorp, citing Japan as one of the definitive moments of her life. I was put on a pedestal and became too full of myself. Millions of Indonesian parents abandoned a measles vaccine in 2018 when it was declared haram. In 2015, she auditioned for The LKY Musical, and got the coveted role of Madam Kwa Geok Choo, but life took a sharp turn when her close secondary school friend passed away from a heart attack. We Are Hiring Why do we need to wait for tragedy to strike before we realise and make a change? Thread starter lordofthering; Start date Oct 17, 2021; 1; 2; Next. Sharon Au, a 46-year old ex-Mediacorp actress/hostess, has now moved on from her private equity investment firm director position in Paris after her house was ransacked by burglars. Slow down and take it all in. These days, Au lives in Paris with her beloved cat Rudon and works as an investment director in a private equity firm. She followed instructions, took direction well, but had little autonomy over her actions much like a marionette. Admitting that he raked up debts amounting to around $30,000,Darren added that his then-girlfriend and now-wife Evelyn Tan made him realise the value of money so that they can have a future together. Running away has always been Sharons source of comfort, a constant theme in her life that she has grown to be familiar with. Since I was young, I was thrown from place to place. There is another side to Sharon that sets her apart from many of her peersher sharp business acumen. Following her resignation, the actress relocated to Paris because she wanted to start afresh but no one there would hire here. "It took me a long to admit that I was sick and I need to seek professional help. Sharon Au left Mediacorp because she was reprimanded for her ideas I am a people person with many years of experience in the financial world. latest entertainment, celebrity, food and lifestyle news! 8days.sg spoke to Sharon after the live streaming session via WhatsApp, the 44-year-old explained that the crisis had caused a shift of perspectives and that she was frustrated that she and her mum were apart during this challenging period. Recalling how she "spent it all" and more on a $98 pair of jeans with her first paycheck, Sharon said: "I remember I was doing an internship atSingapore Press Holdings. Sharon said that he had seen herprojects and was impressed by them. Not making huge amounts of money, but at least we know how to manage our wealth properly. Inspections have been carried out at the ferry terminal by Indonesian authorities. In Paris, I was able to dive deep into my psyche and I got to know myself all over again. We all need best friends that we can rely on. Imagine coming home to your apartment only to find it emptied and your favourite things taken. You have reached your limit of subscriber-only articles this month. "When I'm home, I lock my things up as breaking in is very easy. When contacted by AsiaOne regarding Sharon's comments, a Mediacorp spokesperson said they were "unable to comment on the personal decision made by Sharon Au". She decided that she would be honest with herself, and be open to treatment. What impresses me today is her candour. Everything ends. [8], In 2012, she started and led styleXstyle.com (a property of MediaCorp Pte Ltd), focusing fashion, beauty and lifestyle. "It's for people who do not have the proficiency in French, to be able to have relatable access to the art of French cooking." "Aggressive" and "ambitious" were the words Au used to describe herself. Au took a break during the peak of her career and went to Japan for her undergraduate studies in 2005 in the School of International Liberal Studies, Waseda University in Tokyo on a MediaCorp scholarship. It was a cathartic yet tiring session, she admits. But under such circumstances, Au emerged a fiercely independent woman and top-notch performer, which could explain her career-oriented fervourin her former life at Mediacorp. Even the slightest sound startles him. At the same time I was grateful I wasn't ill, but I thought to myself, 'Then I better really do this before I really got ill.'". I was a people-pleaser because I was insecure, she says. Sharon Au's Parisian colleagues don't know she's a celeb because of | I got home, switched on my laptop, andtyped outmy resignation letter., Sharon Au relocated to Paris after leaving Mediacorp. They are so proud of their culture and gastronomy that when they saw this crazy Chinese woman wanting to share it with the world, they completely embraced the idea, she says. Quiet Inlet, a sweet Kayuki cocktail, is a popular choice of drug, but today, Sharon is happy sipping water. On May 11 (Wednesday), she posted on Instagram: "They took everything I love. In February 2018, she resigned amicably from MediaCorp. Dont Neglect Succession Planning, Manulife Singapore Offers Digital Payments Via PayNow, FWD Insurance Launches Electronic Claims Payments via PayNow, 1-Michelin-Starred Marguerite Shines With an Invigorating Spring Menu. He waited for me to come home," she shared. Effectively multilingual, Au established herself amongst top emcee-hosts in Mediacorp alongside Quan Yi Fong and Guo Liang. I began to like myself more when I didnt have to please people. The moment Sharon arrived in Paris, she crashed with a university schoolmate and slept on her couch. It's very comfortable for me to still stay in Paris, says Sharon Au Thats My Happy Place!, Rediscovering Myself Through My Sons Special Needs, Dr Wealths Alvin Chow: I Turned My Passion Into a Mission, Meet Shin Lim, the Magician Who Wowed America, This New Clinic Wants You to Get Proactive About Preventive Care, Graphic Artist Malika Favre on Pioneering Her Own Pop and Op Art Style, The World of Cats According to Author-Illustrator Susie Yi, Influential Brands Survey Shows How Prominent Brands in Singapore Overcame Covid-19 Challenges, The Secret to Beijing Tong Ren Tangs 350-Year Longevity, Influential Brands Launches Two New Platforms for Business Leaders and Influencers, Why Raffles Hotel Singapore Is One of the Best Companies to Work for, Text by Dawn Wong; Photography by Juliana Tan, "I like myself in Paris; no one knows me and I am free to be who I want to becreative, liberated and free from expectations.".