MAVIS Hee is back.

And she will stage her first public performance in Singapore after more than eight years.

Mavis told The New Paper in a phone interview: 'I'm finally ready to meet my fans and the public.

'Things are fine now. I'm contented with my life. In fact, I feel good.'

As if she sensed the next question, Mavis added in her trademark lilting voice: 'I'm still going for my therapy sessions at IMH and I'm taking my medication regularly too.'

Straightforward and candid, Mavis makes no attempt to avoid addressing THE incident.

The 34-year-old made the headlines in June 2006 when she harassed two guests at the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

She had also shouted 'Call me God' at one of them. After her arrest, she was diagnosed with clinical depression and was warded for four weeks.

Mavis said: 'There isn't a need to pretend it didn't happen. What's more important is my recovery and I've also put the incident behind me.'

And she is now taking the first step to face the Singapore audience 'live' for the Chong Feng 7 show at the Esplanade Concert Hall next Saturday

Mavis said her last public appearance was in 2000 for her album, Hee Lectronic.

She added: 'After my recovery, I've taken on only a few stints, but they were mainly for fund-raising shows.'

In June last year she travelled with other local artistes - such as Joi Chua, Edmund Chen, A-do and Kelly Poon - to Chengdu, China, for the OneLove MusicFestival.

The two-hour concert, which also featured China stars such as Sitar Tan, Zhang Yao and the 12 Girls Band, drew an audience of 2,000 and raised 1.6 million yuan ($317,000).

That aside, she spends most of her time reading on 'anything and everything'.

Mavis, who still lives with her parents, added: 'That and also spending more quality time with my dad and mum.'

It's also back to her other love - singing - as she tinkers around with music compositions in preparation for what she hopes will be a new single release sometime in April.

Collaborating with her will again be mentor Chen Jiaming, the music producer who has been credited with her earlier success.

Hurtful rumours

But rumours were also rife that he was also the one responsible for her mental condition. The grapevine had it that she became depressed after a failed relationship with MrChen, 44, who was then married.

Mavis said: 'Actually, I feel really quite bad that he got dragged into the mess and he had to endure all the unnecessary and unfair criticisms.

'Firstly, none of it was true at all.'

But she is also resigned to the fact that despite her constant clarifications, 'people still choose to think and believe otherwise'.

She said: 'The fact is, we're really very good friends and Jiaming is just a big brother to me.'

And while another man may have taken refuge, Mavis said she was grateful that Mr Chen stuck by her.

'It's really a blessing that he continued to support and encourage me,' she said. 'Actually, I'm very fortunate that God has blessed me with so many wonderful people who care for me.'

And Mr Chen is someone Mavis felt she could entrust her career to.

She said: 'It's not easy for a singer to find a good producer - one that you can strike the right chemistry with.

'We've worked together from day one and he really understands and knows my style.'

Mavis has also left Mr Chen to assume the role of her manager. She said: 'I don't quite like to socialise, so I leave it to Jiaming to negotiate show engagements on my behalf.

'Somehow, I feel more secure working with him.'

Pacing herself