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Figure of Amber Chia with her signature
ABSTRACT
This
work shares Amber Chia’s rise from a small town girl to a cosmopolitan supermodel,
through hard work, determination, and timely investments. Amber Chia's recipe
for success, in brief, is: just don't be lazy, be willing to learn, you will be
able to make it if you are humble.
Keywords:
Amber
Chia; Malaysian; Model; Public Figure;
Published
in LIS Scholarship Archive on 4 June 2019, Work DOI: 10.31229/osf.io/j7qen
A.
INTRODUCTION
The
modelling industry is extremely competitive, but Amber Chia certainly has striked
it big. Growing up in a fishing village, Amber Chia could only gaze across oceans
to catch her dreams. today, she has graced over 200 magazine covers, catwalk on
runways in 6 continents, starred in 7 movies, authored 2 books, and appointed as
brand ambassador for over 30 brands. Amber Chia career started to bloom after she
won the 2004 Guess Watches Timeless Beauty Contest at 17. This made her become the
first Asian model to triumph at global model searches as well as the first Asian
model to campaign for Guess Watches globally. Her winning has gained her international
exposure as she was then approached by companies to do magazine shoots, runways,
movies and TV shooting. Besides that she was handpicked by Victoria Beckham to present
the Victoria Beckham Autumn/Winter 2009 Ready to Wear Collection during the glamourous
New York Fashion Week. Having such achievements, naturally people would want to
know your success story. That being said, we decided to do some research on Amber
Chia’s story.
B.
Q&A AMBER CHIA
Q:
“When did you first think of becoming a model?”
A: “I
have always been a girly-girl. I used to put on lipstick to sell fish in the market.
Back then, the aunties at the market would comment on my height, and said that I
became more beautiful as I grew up. It gave me the confidence to dream and I’m glad
that my dream did come true.”
Q:
“How did your childhood affect your attitude to money?”
A: “Coming
from a poor family, I put utmost importance on money. I equated the lack of money
to suffering, and I wanted to help improve not just my financial situation, but
also my family’s.”
Q:
“What was your first job and how much did you earn?”
A: “I
stopped schooling at 15 years old and started working full-time as a sales girl
in a small mall in Tawau, earning RM300 a month.”
Q:
“Did the financial situation at home improve significantly when you started working
full-time?”
A: “Not
really. At one point our home was nearly repossessed, but with the help of my ex-boss,
we managed to paid up the outstanding mortgage payment. In fact, my mum wanted me
to marry him, but I was too young and I really wanted to pursue my dream of becoming
a model. I worked extremely hard then and I finally managed to save up RM1,000.
After paying for the flight ticket, I only had RM300 left in my pocket when I reach
KL.”
Q:
“How did you survive on RM300 when you first moved to Kuala Lumpur?”
A: “It
was tough finding a room in Kuala Lumpur on a shoestring budget, even back then.
I took on as many jobs as I could, from jobs like promoter, usher to “car girl”.
Somehow, I survived. I don’t believe in giving up.”
Q:
“So, how did your finances change as you became more successful?”
A: “Life
has become better after hitting my big break as a finalist of the Guess Watches
International Ambassador Search in 2004. Having experienced near foreclosure while
growing up, the moment I could afford to, I bought myself a condominium and a car
(It was a Honda!). Then, I bought a house for my parents back in Tawau. My success
in the modelling industry has allowed me to help my family.”
Q:
“What was your biggest indulgence when the money started coming in?”
A: “I
bought my first designer bag!”
Q:
“Does money make you happy?”
A: “Yes.
I think it makes everyone happy to a certain extent. I used to think money is the
be-all, and end-all. It was my ultimate goal, to make as much money as possible,
until 2008. I suffered from some health issues, and my mother came from Tawau to
visit me. She told me that earning money is important, but health is even more important.
That changed my whole outlook on money, and I now believe that though money has
the ability to make me happy, it is not everything. Without good health, you wouldn’t
be able to enjoy all the money in the world.”
Q:
“Do you know how much is in your own bank account?”
A: “Of
course! I believe it is important to know!”
Q:
“Are you a saver or a spender?”
A: “I’m
a bit of both. I think it’s important to have a balance. However, I’m not really
a risk-taker.”
Q:
“Do you pay with cash, card or cheques?”
A: “I
usually pay by card or cheques because they are easy for me to keep a record of
what I’ve spent.”
Q:
“Do you bank online?”
A: “Yes,
it is a great convenience especially with my busy schedule.”
Q:
“What are your biggest financial indulgences?”
A: “I
invest in properties for myself and my family.”
Q:
“How did you get started in property investment?”
A: “Someone
once told me to save my money for the down payment and start investing in property.
Then, put the property on lease so someone else’s rental will help me pay for my
home loan repayment. I did that and invested in a few other properties in good locations.
Always
get properties in busy and ‘happening’ areas. They may be more expensive but the
return is often worth it, in my experience.”
Q:
“Are you still actively investing in properties?”
A: “I’ve
slowed down a few years back because it was just too stressful. The idea of having
a few home loans dangling over my head was giving me too much pressure. I really
am the type who like to play it safe when it comes to money. I still maintain a
few properties, but others I’ve sold off, and I am not looking to buy any new ones
at the moment.”
Q:
“What’s been the best financial decision you have ever made?”
A: “Though
it was stressful, taking the plunge in property investment has paid off.”
Q:
“And the worst?”
A: “Back
in 2007, I delved into the stock market without fully understanding how it works.
Needless to say, I was burned, and I have stayed away from it ever since. I’m also
a victim of impulse buying. I bought a few things which I have not used until now.
I’ve learned to differentiate needs and wants now, and it makes it easier to avoid
buying unnecessary things.”
Q:
“Do you have a pension?”
A: “No,
I don’t.”
Q:
“As modelling is a relatively fleeting profession, how are you managing your money
to ensure longevity in your career and income?”
A: “I
believe savings and planning for your future are really important, especially for
people like me who don’t have EPF savings as back-up. Beauty doesn’t last forever,
you need a Plan B.”
Q:
“Many models say there isn’t enough work after a certain age – does this worry you?”
A: “Yes,
which is why I put great importance in my money management and financial planning.
I also constantly look for new business ideas and opportunities to pave way for
the future.”
Q:
“What are your plans in the next few years? Will you be branching out to other income
streams?”
A: “Other
than the Amber Chia Academy, I’m doing a lot more collaborations. After being the
spokesperson for Pensonic for the past 10 years, I recently launched a new line
of hair care products called Amber Chia Mesmerized by Pensonic. There are more collaborations
coming up too! As things settle down, I have more time to invest in myself. I’m
currently taking up an English Language course, and I hope to get my A-Level certification
one day. I don’t believe it’s ever too late to learn.”
Q:
“What are your financial priorities for the next five to 10 years?”
A: “Health
is always my first priority in life, and of course, providing for my family as well.”
Q: “What
your recipe for success? Can you explain deeply?”
A: “To
be the next celebrity or the next top superstar is not a one day thing, it
takes time. It took me 20 years to be where I am today. For the younger
generation who wants to step into the entertainment industry, you need to work
hard. One of the reasons it is amazing to be Malaysian is because we are
multiracial. When we get there, they are less aware of where we come from. So,
the chances of us to get a job is higher because we represent Truly Asia. We do
not look like we are from China, Korea, or Indonesia. We don’t look like we are
from anywhere (specific, ars). That is unique, and because we are
multicultural, the languages we speak is also a strong point for us to go
further because people are curious about us. Asia and China is booming, so is
Malaysia. I think that opportunities in the world is open for everyone. It it
easier compared to 20 years ago to make it to the international levels because
you have the internet now. All the information is right there; you just need to
be aggressive and work hard, and gather all the knowledge before starting your
career. Be willing to learn, you will be able to make it if you are humble. When
I am younger, maybe my career comes first, but now my family comes first, and
then my business. After you prioritise, you have to organise the things you
want to do. A lot of women give themselves excuses that ‘I am always busy, I
have no time to exercise or diet, no time to do this, or that.’ Put (taking
care of yourself, ars) as your job. For example, I had Yoga yesterday
morning. I put that as my job, not something that I can choose to do, or not to
do. It is compulsory. I always believe that this world has no ugly women,
there’s only lazy women. I give you an example, if I don’t put on makeup, I
don’t take care of my skin, I don’t take care of my hair, I don’t take care of
my body, I won’t be here today. That is your job, it’s not a choice, you have
to do it. I hope all the mother and women out there, if you want to look good,
you have to put in the hard work and it is worth it. Once you got it, you will
feel accomplished, like ‘yeah I did it’, that will help your confidence level. That
will also help you feel different in a lot of ways, not only for your health
and physical wellbeing, it is for everything.”
C.
CONCLUSION
From
selling fish illegally at a market in Tawau, Sabah, Amber Chia has made a name
for herself as a model and entrepreneur in Malaysia. This Teluk Intan born on14
December 1981 lass did not have it easy. Born Chia Lee Peng (Chinese: 谢丽萍,
pinyin: Xiè Lìpíng), financial problems tore her family apart when she had to
live with foster parents at eight years old, as her birth parents could no
longer afford to support her and send her to school. She did not go to school
until she lived with her foster parents. When she turned 12, she moved back to
her birth parents in Tawau, and she was determined to make as much money as she
could. She left school after Form Three, and started working three jobs:
selling fish with her father in the morning, sales girl in the mall during the
day and also cashier at the pub at night. It was not a bed of roses for Chia,
but her determination pushed her to be who she is today: a successful
supermodel and entrepreneur. Amber Chia's recipe for success, in brief, is: just
don't be lazy, be willing to learn, you will be able to make it if you are
humble.