Taiwanese singer Tiger Huang may be a high-profile name and a veteran of big concert venues, but she has no qualms about singing in pubs.

The 46-year-old reveals this endearingly odd inclination during an interview with Life! while in town recently for a concert.

She performed with fellow songstresses Chyi Yu, 53, Pan Yueh-yun, 52, and Wan Fang, 42, at the Singapore Indoor Stadium two Saturdays ago.

During a group interview at the cafe in her hotel, the lively Huang says about singing in pubs: 'Whether it is big or small, as long as there is a stage, I have to do my best.'

Taking a sip of the iced barley drink poured into a glass by her assistant, she adds: 'Some people may think that only small-timers sing in pubs, but I like it because (in pubs) my fans can talk to me directly.

'And it is a good source of income, too.'

She was also in Singapore to promote her latest Mandarin album, Simple, Or Not, released in January this year.

'This is a new milestone in my singing career,' says Huang, who then thanked her agent. She jokingly refers to him as a 'middle-aged, handsome guy'.

She signed on with Warner Music Group last year.

The new album ends an eight-year break from recording when Huang, who is single, was mostly singing in pubs - she is known as the queen of pub singing - and staging concerts in her native Taiwan.

Her last original Mandarin album was 2001's Her Songs, produced by her previous company Plum Records.

Two compilation albums followed in 2002 and 2004.

Her career turnaround began in 2007 when she was invited to be a judge on TV's popular singing competition One Million Star.

She quickly became known for her acerbic tongue and sharp criticisms of the contestants.

But she defends herself, saying: 'An artist must be able to take criticism.'

Describing herself as a big sister to newcomers, she adds: 'The singing competition is a platform for young singers with talent to get spotted quickly. But the nightmare begins only after they have released an album.'

She will be holding a solo concert in Genting Highlands on June 26.

1 You became a singer in 1990. How different is the Tiger Huang now from 20 years ago?

I know what my fans like about me and I will continue to give them what they want. But at the same time, I cannot be just doing the same things.

I am always competing against myself, so it is important that I improve as I grow older.

2 Compared to the first time you were here in Singapore to promote your 1990 album, Not Just Friends, how different is this latest trip?

My first impression of the country is that it is very clean and everyone speaks English. But there have been so many changes over the years. Even casinos have opened, although I have not had the time to visit them.

The only thing that has not changed is the TV studio. (Huang was the guest singer on Channel 8's variety programme The Sheng Shiong Show on May 16.)

Everything, from the carpark to the audience seats, still looks the same.

When I was here to promote Not Just Friends, I had only one publicity executive to see to my itinerary and to drive me to the various promotional events.

Now I have representatives from both the Taiwan and Singapore offices of the record company and also a hairstylist to go everywhere with me.

So I feel more like a diva.

3 You are known for being a demanding judge on One Million Star. Was that reputation justified?

I do not like to judge or criticise others' singing because someone can be a really lousy singer and still have many fans. But since I agreed to be a judge, I have to be honest and naturally some of the things I say will not be nice.

But the media can say I am stern or call me a diva, I am okay with it.

4 Has being a judge on the programme helped to raise your profile?

Yes. Because of One Million Star, the younger fans became curious about me and started to find out who I was from the Internet.

I remember once I was walking in the street when I heard a boy shouting my name and telling his father that 'that is Tiger Huang from One Million Star'.

5 Some of the singers who have emerged from the competition such as Jam Hsiao and Yoga Lin were once like your students, but are now your rivals. Do you feel threatened?

On the stage, it is fair competition and all of us will do our best. But off it, we are friends and when we bump into each other during performances or shows, we will say hi.

The last time I saw Jam Hsiao, I asked him why he was so skinny and if the record company was giving him food to eat.

6 How do you feel about your recent nomination for the Best Mandarin Female Singer award at the upcoming 21st Golden Melody Award?

I won the Best Newcomer Award in 1990 and have not been nominated again since. So I am already used to the long wait.

7 You will be competing against singers such as Tanya Chua, Karen Mok, A-mei and Cheer Chen in the category. Who is your favourite to win?

I am nominated, so who do you think is my favourite to win?

But I hope everyone gets an award. That should be the politically correct answer.

8 Complete this sentence. If I could live my life all over again...

I would still be a singer. Singing is what I have always wanted to do. It is my hobby and my life even though my career has not always been plain-sailing.

It is the same for some actors. It (acting) is a tough job and they might not even be respected by the viewers, but they still do it. Persistence is important.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.