When people talk about Jazreel Low, they usually
talk about how she was a model before she went into acting, after
she became the second runner-up in the very first Star Search in
1988.
What they don't talk about and
probably don't know about is the life she led
before all that.
Low revealed in a recent interview that she had done all sorts of
part-time jobs in school prior to becoming a model.
"I was giving tuition since I was secondary one. My family wasn't
very well off at the time so I try to help out any way I can.
"I've worked in a florist, take calls, make bookings … I worked in
the hamper store, during all the school holidays, I always had a
part time job," recounted Low.
It was tough, but Low explained that she is not the sort to
complain but someone who adapts to whatever situation life throws
her way.
"Sometimes you have to adjust your expectations and what you want,
but you can still live through the whole thing," said Low.
That was why she jumped at the chance to work on "Taxi Taxi!", a
film inspired by the 2010 book "Diary Of A Taxi Driver".
The book documents the experiences of Dr Cai Mingjie, a biologist
that became a cabbie after he lost his job in 2008.
Low explained that she deeply identified with Cai, who, like her,
readily adapted to his circumstances.
She described "Taxi Taxi!" as being a very meaningful project
because it is about "life … not a fictitious type of story."
"I want to shoot something about real life … and with a cast like
that; I'm going to have a lot of fun!" said Low, gesturing at the
film's two leads, Singapore actor-comedians Gurmit Singh and Mark
Lee.
But there are still some challenges she has to deal with.
"I'm very, very rusty," said Low, pointing out that this will be
her first acting role in over a decade.
"We did a script reading a couple of weeks ago, and I found it
really hard to get into character."
"I haven't been speaking Mandarin, and I have to speak Mandarin in
the show.
"So during the rehearsal when he (Singh) speaks in English,
naturally I'll reply in English, then I remember I have to speak in
Mandarin, and I stutter," said Low, shaking her head before
bursting into laughter.
That's not her only problem.
Low, who has been running a chain of spas for the past 13 years,
had recently opened another spa at the Fullerton Hotel and there is
much work to do.
However, Low expressed that she will juggle filming for "Taxi
Taxi!" with her work commitments, and adapt like she has always
done.
-CNA/ha
www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainmentfeatures/view/1217764/1/.html
