Loretta Chen - Woman On Top: The Art of Smashing Stereotypes and Breaking All the Rules

In 2009, I was asked to play the lead role in the musical Victor/Victoria. This was Lorettas biggest production in Singapore. No expense was spared from start to finish. It was perfect in every way possible. Loretta delivered amazing work that was nothing short of brilliant.

As I had never acted before, I was nervous and out of my comfort zone. But thankfully for me, dear Loretta was by my side. She lived with me for a month. Under her precise direction and excellent intuition as a director, she guided me through this difficult process with complete dedication.

She is an absolute perfectionist but does not stand in the way of peoples talent. Loretta is incredibly passionate in her work but still holds a perfect balance between being a professional and being a sensitive and kind person who will always be ready to offer a helping hand.

I can honestly and proudly say that ever since then, I have gained a friend for life!

Laura Fygi

International Jazz Diva

Given Dr Loretta Chens vast experience and expertise in the field of entrepreneurship and as a creative director, arts entrepreneur and corporate trainer, we engaged her services as an International Trainer and International Mentor for the DHI BEGIN Training Program. The Program encourages entrepreneurship by providing comprehensive business skills training, sustained mentoring and possible pitching for equity financing for highly motivated individuals with strong entrepreneurial traits.

Dr Loretta Chen is professional, logical and practical and her training was well received by the trainees. We greatly appreciate her services and contribution to the DHI BEGIN Program. The goodwill and commitment shown by Dr Loretta Chen for the program and for entrepreneurship development initiatives is highly commendable.

Karma Yonten

CEO of Druk Holdings and Investments
(The government investment arm of the Kingdom of Bhutan)

Lee Weisong

Music Producer and Composer

Loretta is one of the most energetic and positive people Ive ever met. And shes persistent as well when she wants something, she goes all out to get it. When she produced What the Butler Saw, she wanted me to play a key role, and after emails and phone calls didnt get her much of a response, she actually came knocking at my front door she had literally hunted me down!

She is a person with integrity, a sweet heart, a strong personality and an indomitable spirit. It was an honour to work with her and I wish her all the best of life and love.

Vernetta Lopez

Radio DJ

Gold 90.5FM

Loretta Chen has charm, wit and a cheeky intelligence that is often conveyed dramatically by this I mean she is graphic, courageous and a no-nonsense Singaporean who has lived her life the way she wants. Few Singaporeans can claim such. Having established a firm reputation as a scholar, actress and a superb human being, this extraordinary woman now takes us on a creative journey etched out in words that can often mesmerise and, in the process, show us new ways of understanding. This is a must-read!

Dr Kirpal Singh

Director of the Wee Kim Wee Centre

Singapore Management University

2014 Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited

Cover design: Nickie Lee

Cover photography and setup: Tan Ngiap Heng & Meng Tay

Hair: Michael Lim, Kim Robinson Make up: Benedict Choo, using MAC Cosmetics Postcards from Rosa and The Swimming Instructor posters on page : Toy Factory Productions Ltd

The Vagina Monologues, What The Butler Saw, The F Word posters on page : Nickie Lee

Published in 2014 by Marshall Cavendish Editions

An imprint of Marshall Cavendish International

1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196

All rights reserved

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owner. Requests for permission should be addressed to the Publisher, Marshall Cavendish International (Asia) Private Limited, 1 New Industrial Road, Singapore 536196. Tel: (65) 6213 9300, Fax: (65) 6285 4871. E-mail:

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National Library Board, Singapore Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

Chen, Loretta, 1976 author.

Woman on top : the art of smashing stereotypes & breaking all the rules / Dr. Loretta
Chen with Pearlin Siow. Singapore : Marshall Cavendish Editions, 2014.

pages cm

eISBN: 978 981 4634 69 4

1. Chen, Loretta, 1976 2. Women Singapore Biography.

3. Celebrities Singapore Biography. I. Siow, Pearlin, author. II. Title.

HQ1750.67.Z75

305.4092 dc23 OCN880945632

Printed in Singapore by Craft Print International Ltd

To my family,
for always being there.

If directing a production is a labour of love, writing a book is learning to love going into labour. I have been a director for over a decade but writing a book is a whole other planet altogether. J. K. Rowling, you have all my respect. Not because you gave the world Harry Potter but because you stayed skinny while writing. I couldnt ever stay still and had to keep my mouth busy with food as I wrote. So I have to thank some very important people who kept me under lock, key, whip and chain to get this book published.

My amazing team at Marshall Cavendish Melvin, Adithi, Tammy and, most of all, Stephanie. Thank you for believing in me and for making me realise I had a story to tell. You have all been incredibly patient with my copious delays and dilettante segues but have never wavered in your faith. You have my deepest gratitude and utmost respect. And Stephanie, I promise I will work fasterly in future if youll be my editor again, that is!

Pearlin Siow for your swift, sharp, incisive storytelling and for creating the foundations of the book. I literally would not have known where to even begin. Your sense of humour, friendship and trips to the gym with me have kept me sane, sound and svelte respectively.

Dr K. K. Seet for always being my mentor, guardian and confidante. You have been seminal in cultivating my academic development, artistic endeavours and wicked wit. I owe far more to you than sheer intellectual debt but also the profound understanding of love, life and humanity. I love you.