TVB Wants to Prime Myolie Wu as Lydia Shum's Successor

Sunday December 3, 2006 Hong Kong

Several days ago at the Asia TV Awards held in Singapore, TVB executive, Stephen Chan Chi Wan expressed that he had a special notion for Myolie Wu Hang Yee. Due to Myolie's well-received popularity and image in "To Grow with Love," he hopes to prime Myolie as the successor for "Happy Fruit" Lydia Shum Din Ha.

Myolie especially gained 40+ pounds for her role in "To Grow with Love." Stephen Chan said that Myolie's chubby image was very well received by the public, far beyond anyone's expectations. "If Myolie maintains her obese image, she is the ideal person to become Lydia Shum's successor."

However Myolie does not seem to want to maintain her obese image. After filming "To Grow with Love," she immediately went on a weight loss program. Myolie has also indicated that once she starts working again, her weight will automatically drop.

But Stephen Chan said openly, "Actually TVB does not wish Myolie to lose her weight. If she is willing to maintain the body weight, she can follow Lydia's path and TVB would have found the next Lydia Shum."

Lydia Shum's heavyset image is deeply ingrained in the public's mind. Her "Happy Fruit" image is well loved by many. Due to Lydia's unique image, she has been somewhat irreplaceable by anyone else in TVB.

From TVB's standpoint, Stephen hopes to convince Myolie of the "special notion." TVB hopes to continue the success of Lydia's image by priming an actress from the younger generation. However women's instinct is a desire to look beautiful, so [other actresses] may not accept this idea.

Nevertheless, Stephen praised Myolie for her spirit in sacrificing her figure for acting. TVB will continue to offer many opportunities for her.

credits: Dramasian, asianfanatics.