Michelle Chia

Chia started her career as a child actress with SBC.[1] She later joined TCS (predecessor of MediaCorp) after finishing her school. In 2000 she switched to SPH MediaWorks but was transferred back to MediaCorp when it absorbed MediaWorks.[2] In May 2012, Chia left the entertainment industry due to the expiry of her contract with MediaCorp. She had declined to renew it, stating that she wanted to temporarily "take a break" from showbiz.[3]

Chia was educated at Raffles Girls' Primary School and Bowen Secondary School.

In a joint statement released by both Chia and Shaun Chen expressed that they are currently filing for divorce and requested for some space and privacy. They also wished for each other to be "healthy and happy". The couple confirmed their divorce on 27 April 2011 but insist they still remain friends. At Star Awards 2011 Show 2, the couple refuted rumours and insisted that there weren't any problems in their marriage. Married for two years, their relationship reportedly took a turn for the worse in October 2010 and subsequently became talk of the town when Michelle rejected a hosting gig for a wedding-themed variety programme.

In a separate phone interview in the evening yesterday, Chia sounded visibly shaken and upset over the news. The actress has been having the runs and suffering from stomach discomfort the past few days. When asked if she was sick, the actress calmly replied, "Maybe it's due to stress." Speaking on their marital problems, Chia admitted that when the news was leaked in October last year, the both of them were indeed facing "some problems".

Reiterating her point, she added that they have never had a "big fight" and decided to go ahead with a divorce because of "personality differences". She explained that their pace of life and lifestyle habits are different. We have talked about this many times... My current mood is like that of the thunderstorm outside," she said, choking back on tears, "We have been trying hard all this time and at the end of it, we realized that this decision might be the best for the both of us." Heaving a sigh, she continued, "We did not wish to be asked about this anymore; we do not feel good from all these repetitive questioning. We hope that everyone can give them some peace with this statement." On whether she and Shaun are still living together, Chia replied that the divorce proceedings will be finalized in October this year and she is "currently living with her parents."

In 2012, Chia did not renew her contract with Mediacorp but willing to take on roles which she willing to do.

• Michelle Chia Facebook Official Page (in Chinese).
• Profile on xin.msn.com