So how has life been after TVB? “Normal and fantastic,” exclaimed Bernice Liu (廖碧兒). Bernice received widespread attention after winning the Miss Chinese International crown in 2001. She became Hong Kong’s new sweetheart after gaining fame for her portrayal as “Princess Sum Tim” in the long-running TVB sitcom, Virtues of Harmony <皆大歡喜>, a role she is still best known for today. The 34-year-old Canadian-born actress is very aware that her road to stardom had not been as difficult as others. It is hard to come upon a debut role that will win the hearts of millions, and it is just as hard to maintain that healthy, strong, and profitable image for the next decade. Bernice knew she had been very lucky, and she is very thankful. This does not mean that Bernice does not work hard or is not talented. She had attended the University of British Columbia. She had four years of professional ballet, jazz, and tap dancing lessons. She can speak French. She is a wine connoisseur. Born and raised in Canada her entire life, Bernice did not master Cantonese until after joining TVB. She has gone from being Chinese illiterate to being able to read aloud simple Chinese scripts in a few years. She does not have a background in Mandarin, yet she is now able to hold an entire Mandarin-language interview by herself without an interpreter, after taking just two years of lessons. Bernice knew next to nothing about alcohol, but now she is a licensed wine taster, and with her own wine-making chateau that ferments the drink in the United States and France. She has since won two international awards for her wine business. Yes, many things have changed since Bernice joined the industry eleven years ago. Rock Bottom Bernice hit the lowest point of her career after her relationship with Moses Chan (陳豪) was exposed in early 2011, which was followed by a very bad, public, but false breakup. Moses and Bernice began dating after filming Love Bond <心花放> in 2005. Bernice revealed that they actually broke up in 2008, but because their onscreen partnership had been very popular, they continued to work together as a couple. Moses never announced to the public that Bernice was his girlfriend in the years they were together, but he was very public about pursuing Aimee Chan (陳茵媺), and succeeding in the end, in 2012. What happened? Why was Bernice neglected, while Aimee was cherished? “I don’t have any feelings for this person anymore,” said Bernice when she was asked about Moses. Truthfully, Aimee and Bernice share many things in common. It is arguably valid to claim that Aimee is Bernice’s “successor” in TVB – Aimee is from Canada, a beauty pageant titleholder, and also dated Moses. Like Bernice four years ago, Aimee and Moses often team up together as partners to attend promotional events and functions. She is walking Bernice’s road. She has stolen Bernice’s road. “We all have our own style. I’ve never worked with [Aimee] before, but I give her my blessings.” Bernice hit rock bottom again after she was caught on a date with rich heir, Alastair Lam (林忠豪). Branded as a gold digger and claimed as cheating on Moses, Bernice did not know if she would be able to pull herself up again. But Bernice understands. After you hit rock bottom, the next destination is only up. “I am still young. If I eat salted fish, I must put up with the thirst. I’ve already experienced [the low point] of my life, so I should move on. In the past two years, I worked in mainland China. Everyone said that I should start all over again and that I should learn Mandarin. My Chinese skills are better now, so picking up Mandarin was easier. I actually really enjoy that learning process. It is as if it were eleven years ago all over again, when I first came to Hong Kong from Canada to start my career. At the time, I was scared that this was a scam, because none of my parents have been in the business before. This circle is a complicated one, but after going through so much, and experiencing so much in the past years, I think I’ve only started my career now. “I was young. At the time, everything was just for fun. Now, it’s different. I choose this to be my career. I know what it takes to be a public figure, and I know the responsibilities I have.” After TVB Without having to face the pressure of TVB’s limits, Bernice is now a free spirit. She has filmed several mainland Chinese dramas. She has worked with Hong Kong’s Now TV, Cable TV, Phoenix TV, and has filmed a musical drama, Fantasy Love Song 201314 <童話戀曲201314>, with William So (蘇永康) for TVB’s upcoming rival, HKTV. “I really want to thank TVB. Without them, the Bernice Liu today would not exist. I really like the company I am working with now. There are no exploitations. I get to chase for my own dreams. What’s even better is that I get to know others who have the same dream as me, and we all get along really well. I am happy, very happy.” Creds: 3 Weekly
