HONG KONG - Rumours may be part and parcel of showbiz, but the one allegation Hong Kong actress Kate Tsui will not take lying down is being called a kept woman.
Having been embroiled in such a scandal before, the 34-year-old called such accusations "ridiculous", saying: "It's an insult to my character, and especially damaging for a woman's reputation."
Gossip emerged three years ago when a Hong Kong publication reported that the former beauty queen was spotted dining with a sugar daddy, and that she had moved into an upmarket HK$15-million (S$2.4-million) property - all of which the actress flatly denied. The candid Tsui, however, said that she has received such an indecent proposal from a mysterious caller.
"A woman on the other end of the line asked me out for coffee to talk about a job offer, dropping hints of what it (would entail). She asked me to name my price. Of course, I rejected it."
Tsui, who has performed stunts on set, and fellow actor and judge Ruco Chan were in town to judge this year's TVB8 International Chinese Kung Fu Championship, held at Resorts World Sentosa on Sunday. The title was claimed by Chinese contestant Li Yan, 24.
Unlike Tsui, the 36-year-old Chan has not received offers to be a "kept man". The TVB hunk joked: "If I get an offer to be a kept man, it must mean I have market value. I can make money with my looks."
Though Tsui accepts that rumours are par for the course in the entertainment industry, she said that they can be detrimental to her love life. She said with a laugh: "I'll just wait for Mr Right to come along and explain to him when the time comes."
One might expect the stunning actress to be able to find her Prince Charming at the drop of a hat, but Tsui lamented that she's still holding out for the one.
"Women should have standards and have the right to choose the guy they want," said Tsui. The actress' checklist for her ideal man is surprisingly simple - one who will make her happy and has a sense of responsibility.
And no handsome guys, please. She said: "They don't give girls a sense of security."
When asked if she has met her perfect partner, she said: "If I met the one, I wouldn't be here doing an interview. I'm not very career-minded and I might just quit showbiz after getting married."
Still, one wonders if she minds being branded a "leftover woman" - a term that describes women in their 30s who have been left on the shelf.
Interestingly, Tsui will play a role similar to that in real life - a successful career woman with no man in her life - in an upcoming TVB romantic comedy, My Prime Lady. It is slated for a year-end release and depicts the lives of single Hong Kong women.
"I'm definitely a 'sheng nu' (leftover woman). Women should learn to take it in their stride, and (realise) it's just a label that society gives us," Tsui said.
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