Glenn Ong lives out his 'fantasies' in Lulu The Movie
Radio DJ Glenn Ong enjoyed 'partying' as a prankster in Lulu The Movie, but his ONE FM partner the FD was not as lucky
While making Lulu The Movie, Glenn Ong partied like a rock star, but his colleague The Flying Dutchman (FD) called it "a harrowing experience".
In an interview with The New Paper after the film's press conference, ONE FM's #1 Breakfast Show DJs shared their vastly different experiences starring in the film, which is directed by and stars Michelle Chong as the title character.
Lulu The Movie, which follows the adventures of mainland Chinese KTV hostess Lulu after she starts a new life in Singapore and makes it big on TV here, opens on Thursday.
Ong, who plays prankster and jock Alfred, filmed party scenes in a KTV lounge with actresses dressed as hostesses, complete with real booze.
"A lot of actors had tea in their glasses instead of alcohol, but I insisted on drinking real whisky shots," Ong told TNP cheekily.
"That was a lot of fun. I think the role of Alfred is very suitable for me since he is a bad boy, which is similar to my radio persona."
Ong, 46, admitted the details of his scenes, which include him dancing with KTV girls, were hazy because he enjoyed his scenes too much.
It is his first time appearing on screen in a local film; he provided the radio voice for The Teenage Textbook Movie in 1998.
Whereas Ong was living it up for Lulu The Movie, FD, whose real name is Mark van Cuylenburg, had a hellish time, thanks to his hairpiece.
In his movie debut, the 60-year-old plays fashion icon Karl Lagerfeld, who owns a beloved cat and wants Lulu to be his next muse. His costume included a chic white wig with a ponytail, which FD said was unbearably tight.
HEADACHES
"It took two hours to put on the wig every time, which was no joke. And I had the most amazing headaches after wearing them.
"I tell you, the joy of ripping off that hair at the end of the day was comparable to that of seeing my firstborn," he deadpanned.
On hearing how Ong partied with his cast mates, FD was incredulous.
"He was partying and boozing with a bevy of women, while I got to hang out with a cat," he complained.
Still, FD said working with Chong was a delight, and he loved the sleek leather gloves and suit his character wore.
Ong and FD, who have known Chong for about 15 years, gushed about how professional she was while making Lulu The Movie.
"Michelle is a superwoman," said Ong. "She was so present in every aspect of the movie-making process. One moment she would deliver lines in character, and the next, give instructions as a director."
Both agreed Chong, 39, who created the Lulu character as one of her comedy personas on parody TV show The Noose, was one of the pillars of the show.
"We only watched The Noose for Michelle; frankly, the show is nothing without her," said FD.
"She brings her energy and passion for the entertainment industry with her, which makes her shows so much fun to watch."
Said Ong: "Unlike some local directors, Michelle keeps things fresh and uses different actors in her movies. Lulu The Movie will also appeal to everyone because it's bilingual and uses both English and Mandarin."
When TNP asked how Ong's fiancee, fellow DJ Jean Danker, would react if she caught him in a KTV lounge, he laughed. The two are set to wed on Dec 16.
"I don't think she would be too pleased about that. But that's why it's so much fun to play a role like this, because you get to live out your fantasies," said Ong.
Chen is Lulu's Brad Pitt
Actor Chen Tianwen plays Lulu's Singaporean online boyfriend, Brad Pitt.
Chen, 53, also met his China-born wife Bao Xiao Hui online, and was teased about the similarities between himself and his on-screen character by host Pornsak Prajakwit during the press conference for Lulu The Movie.'
"Yes, my wife and I did meet and communicate through (Chinese social network) Weibo," Chen told TNP in an interview.
"But unlike in the movie, she knew exactly who I was. Lulu's character thought she was meeting Brad's handsome brother Leon (played by Leon Jay Williams), and was disappointed by me."
Chen described Brad as a "good, honest guy who is a bit 'orbit' (Singlish for embarrassingly unfashionable)". While his character woos Lulu with sumptuous claypot dishes, Chen said with a laugh that he does not cook for his wife at all.
"I can only make Maggi Mee, maybe," he said.
Chen, who enjoyed a resurgence in fame last year after his song Unbelievable went viral online, hopes audiences will enjoy the lightheartedness of Lulu The Movie.
"It's a comedy, but it also makes you think. It's about a brave woman who follows her dreams to come to Singapore, and I find Lulu a really inspiring character."
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