Salma Hayek: Her journey to landing Marvels ‘Eternals’

Following the long-awaited releases of Black Widow and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings over recent months, the next instalment of the wildly successful Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) is poised to enthral us. Slated to open on 18 November, Eternals depicts the travails of immortal beings who reunite after millennia of hiding on Earth to battle their archenemies, the Deviants – and it promises to be the most diverse to date.

Much has been made of the fact that its core superhero cast will feature the franchise’s first openly gay character (Phastos), that Pakistani-American actor Kumail Nanjiani’s Kingo will be its first protagonist of South Asian descent, and Don Lee – of Train to Busan fame – the first South Korean superhero. What’s more, both director (Chloé Zhao) and lead (Gemma Chan) are Chinese. Rather less noise has resonated, however, over the casting of Mexican screen-siren Salma Hayek as Ajak, the Eternals’ spiritual leader. After all, the Desperado star will become the series’ first Arab actress (Hayek actually boasts Lebanese ethnicity through her father).

A 32-year veteran of the industry, Hayek is no stranger to breaking boundaries. She was one of the first Latina talents to make it big in Tinseltown, in no small part due to her versatility in the genres of drama, comedy, romance and action. But life hasn’t been all smooth sailing for the Frida thespian. We shine the spotlight on the soaring highs and challenging lows that she’s overcome…

Peace & Pesos
Salma Valgarma Hayek Jiménez was born far away from the shining lights of Hollywood in the southern Mexican port city of Coatzacoalcos on 2 September 1966. Her mother, Diana, was an opera singer, while her Lebanese-Mexican father, Sami Hayek Dominguez, worked as an oil executive in addition to owning an industrial equipment company. Her Lebanese surname reflects her paternal roots, while her first name ‘Salma’ means ‘peace’ in Arabic. She was fortunate to be raised in a wealthy home, which afforded her the opportunity to go to boarding school in the United States at age 12.

Boarding School Blues
Salma’s schooldays weren’t always easy, as she was diagnosed with dyslexia at an early age. This didn’t stop her from pranking her fellow students, however. In one interview, she recalled that her roommates – American girls – would wake early to curl their hair and put on makeup, whereas she’d rather “sleep until the last minute”. One day, she decided to turn back the clocks by an hour to mess with them. She was given detention, and ultimately kicked out of the strict Catholic boarding school in Louisiana. Despite these early hiccups and a learning disability, her innate intelligence saw her graduate from high school at just 15.

Acting Initiative
Throughout her late teens and early 20s, her stunning looks prompted approaches from casting agents. So, halfway through pursuing a degree in international relations and political science at Mexico City’s Universidad Iberoamericana, she dismayed her parents by dropping out to pursue a career in acting. At just 23, she had her big break, landing the starring role in Teresa, a telenovela that would catapult her to superstar status in her native land. Not content to rest on her laurels, she decided to move to Hollywood to pursue bigger roles. “I wanted to do films, and at that time in Mexico, a film industry didn’t really exist,” she explains. “So where do you go to do movies? You go to the mecca. I was already famous in Mexico by then, and they were laughing at me, asking ‘Why is she doing that?’”

Desperado Times
At first it seemed her critics were right since Hayek struggled for four years in California, unable to land a single role. In many cases, the reason cited by studios for her rejection was that she was too Latina. It wasn’t until 1995 that she got her chance to prove her mettle in Robert Rodriguez’s Desperado alongside fellow Spanish-speaker Antonio Banderas. Then, the floodgates opened, with the actress cast in a slew of major productions before the end of the decade – From Dusk till Dawn, Wild Wild West and Dogma, to name but three of her biggest hits.

Rosy Repertoire
In 1999, having established herself as an A-list leading lady, Hayek launched her own production company. Ventanarosa, which is Spanish for ‘rose-coloured window’, produced the acclaimed TV dramedy Ugly Betty, which would eventually garner two Golden Globes. It also helped her hit Hollywood-legend heights by producing the historic biopic Frida (2002). Hayek’s seminal portrayal of the surrealist artist Frida Kahlo saw her become only the second Latina actress to receive a Best Actress nod at the Academy Awards.

Charity Begins at Home
In addition to her achievements in film, she is a dedicated philanthropist and activist. Spurred by an awareness of her own fortunate circumstances and the precarious position of those in her homeland, the Salma Hayek Foundation not only raises aid and awareness for battered women in Mexico, but has branched out to help disadvantaged street children, too. Hayek has also been involved with several Unicef initiatives, including spearheading a campaign against neonatal and maternal tetanus, and was awarded the Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award by the international charitable organisation in 2018.

Covid Survivor
The Eternals star was recently worryingly close to death. Laid low by Covid-19, she spent seven weeks isolated in a room of the house she shares with her husband, French billionaire François-Henri Pinault (CEO of luxury group Kering), and their 13-year-old daughter. She became so ill that she was put on oxygen. “My doctor begged me to go to the hospital because it was so bad,” she reveals, “but I said, ‘no, thank you. I’d rather die at home,’” adding that she still hasn’t regained her pre-pandemic energy levels.

“My doctor begged me to go to the hospital because it was so bad, but I said, ‘no, thank you. I’d rather die at home’”

Auteur Ego
In line with her go-getting spirit, though, this hasn’t stopped her from planning ambitious projects. Apart from Eternals, Hayek also appears in Ridley Scott’s biographical crime drama The House of Gucci, which was shot earlier this year, and hopes to direct a film based on a script she wrote 17 years ago. “It’s a very personal project and this is the right time. It couldn’t have gotten made two years ago or even last year [but] I don’t give up. I’ll get it made,” she says of the passion production. While she’s remained tight-lipped about any details, if her past CV is any indication, it will be an instant hit.

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)

Heavenly scent: Unique, exquisite and rare facts about perfumes

The ‘lipstick index’ is particularly important when crises loom. Coined by Estée Lauder’s former chairman, Leonard Lauder, in the early 2000s, the term is an indicator of economic fluctuation, a barometer to gauge consumer confidence at a time of tumult. When spending is constricted, people delay splurging on big-ticket items like housing and electronics, but they will still treat themselves to smaller, affordable luxuries like lipsticks and perfume.

The lipstick index has held water at every downturn, but it could not foresee a global health crisis marked by extended lockdowns and mandatory face coverings when makeup would lose its lustre. If no one can see your face, let alone read your lips, it is pretty pointless to indulge in a pop of colour. Market research group NPD found that beauty sales tanked by more than 25 percent in the first six months of the pandemic, while third-quarter sales dipped further to 31 percent – an unprecedented global crash. But whether you pin it down to human nature or our innate sense of grooming, the beauty industry always finds a way to survive.

Amid a dynamic shift in priorities and spending patterns, makeup regressed and skincare profited. With its mood-boosting ability to evoke whiffs of calm, safety and sophistication, perfume in particular enjoyed a sharp upswing in demand. According to NPD figures, fragrance sales realised a 45-percent boom in the first quarter of 2021, compared to the previous year. And this most popular of gifting items may only solidify its strong market position over the upcoming holiday season.

Could this interesting indulgence in perfume during the bleakest of years provide a lesson in resilience and recovery for the other beauty players? We delve into a potted history of perfume and emit some surprising fragrance facts.

Story of Scent
From the sharp, woody offerings of cigars to the irresistible smell of honeysuckle, scents can transport us to faraway places in time. Though the Romans did not invent perfume, they gave it a fancy name. The word ‘perfume’ is actually rooted in the Latin term ‘per’, meaning ‘through’, ‘fumus’ and ‘smoke’.

A careful blend of romance with a dash of the surreal, the first form of perfume dates back about 4,000 years. The lingering scent you get on your sweater after a night beside a campfire is how the people of Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq) discovered fragrance. Burning resins and wood at religious ceremonies imparted a rich, balmy smell which the ancient civilisation used to embalm the dead.

“The lingering scent on your sweater after a campfire is how the Ancient Mesopotamians discovered fragrance”

Historical evidence dates the use of fragrant incense sticks in Egypt to 3,000 BC, where women were spoiled for scent. They indulged in fragrant baths and soaked themselves in oils for sensual pleasure. By the first century AD, well-heeled Romans were swimming in scent. Frankincense, myrrh and nard were burning lavishly at holy places, festive gatherings and affluent homes in the city. It is said that more than a million kilos of frankincense were imported from Arabia each year for burning, rubbing or sprinkling on the floor or bedspreads. In 54 AD, Roman emperor Nero – who was crazy about roses – spent the equivalent of US$100,000 to drown his guests in its scent at just one party.

Eau de Cigarette
Perfume was a marker of status in the 19th century. In the 1920s, a woman could simply spray on the smell of cigarettes instead of smoking them. One of the most influential, historical perfumes ever sold, Molinard’s Habanita, was introduced in perfumed sachets in 1921 and was an instant success.
As the first women’s fragrance with a strong vetiver vibe, Habanita was received as a decadent token of emancipation for the modern miss who loved mixing the biting smell of tobacco with here angelic façade. Considered a tad brazen at the time, the punchy, leathery offering is still available today (and so wearable).

Sniff Number One
Fine fragrance can cost a fortune. At more than US$2,000 per ounce, Clive Christian’s No.1 Imperial Majesty was named as the Most Expensive Perfume by the 2006 Guinness Book of World Records. It came by chauffeur-driven Bentley encased in a Baccarat crystal bottle ringed by 18K gold and a five-carat diamond.
The rarer the perfume ingredients, the higher its cost. The price of your favourite luxury fragrance is reflective of the purity of its elements, the expert craftsmanship of the master perfumer, its limited quantity, and the ornaments that adorn the flacon.

“In the ’20s, a woman could simply spray on the smell of cigarettes without actually smoking them”

Million-Dollar Nose
Acclaimed French master perfumer Jean Carles, co-creator of the iconic Miss Dior in 1947, got his prolific nose insured for US$1 million. According to this industry legend, no one is born with an artistic nose; continuous practice and love for the craft makes for a terrific olfactory memory.

Also Read: Ruling the Roast: Charting the rise of coffee culture around the world

Hard to Swallow
That riveting oceanic, musky scent trail you get in high-end perfumes like Miss Dior, Rochas’ Femme and Guerlain’s Shalimar, as well as fragrances by Chanel, Givenchy and Gucci, is all down to fragrant whale vomit. Yes, you read that right. Also known as ambergris, this solid, waxy substance actually originates from the intestine of a sperm whale. And, with a price tag of US$1,000-plus per ounce, it’s a perfume ingredient more precious than gold.

Ambergris floats in the ocean once being spewed out by Moby and his friends, and becomes oxidised along the shores. Much like fine wine, the longer the hardening process, the more intoxicating the smell. It contains ambrein, a potent chemical that acts as a fixative, making fragrances last longer. Synthetic chemical alternatives of ambergris are available, but luxury perfumes prefer the real deal. While legal in the United Kingdom and France, its use in perfumery in the United States is banned since sperm whales are an endangered species.

Text: Nikita Mishra

Most famous Asian royals to follow on Instagram!

He has Hollywood movie star looks, lives the perfect life of yachts, castles and horses, People and GQ line up for his interviews, looks every bit like Prince Charming, he is real and lives in Brunei. Meet Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei, a trained pilot, animal lover and Instagram sensation amongst others – he is the son of His Majesty Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, Sultan of Brunei, with a net worth of US$28 billion – Mateen enjoys a luxurious life in one of the richest countries on Earth.

If that comes as a surprise because you were busy keeping a tab on the British royal family and all the drama surrounding Harry and Meghan, it’s time to get you up to speed with the charming, young royals, the blue blood of Asia.

Prince Abdul Mateen, Brunei
2.3M Instagram followers | @tmski

Not much is known about Brunei – a tiny nation of 2200 square miles on the northern shore of the island of Borneo in the South China Sea – but one thing we do know it has a sensational 30-year-old Prince, not shy of flashing his stinking wealth or stylish lifestyle. His Royal Highness Prince Abdul Mateen, the 10th son of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the longest-reigning monarch (after Queen Elizabeth II) and Prime Minister of Brunei, is quite the over-sharer on Instagram. From posting shirtless selfies to flying a chopper, riding a horse, cruising the Mediterranean, playing with leopard cubs, wearing insanely expensive watches or just being a handsome soldier in the military – the Prince has amassed a massive 2.3 million following on Instagram at par with some Hollywood celebrities.

With a super-rich father, the apparent estimated net worth is upwards of US$20 billion, the prince lives a pretty incredible, opulent life. A trained helicopter pilot, he earned the rank of second lieutenant after completing a gruelling 44-weeks course at UK’s Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst, where he hiked seven mountains within a day during a challenge! His love for sports is well known – an ardent David Beckham fan, he excels in snorkelling, skiing, golfing, boxing, rowing, polo, badminton, amongst others. The royal even represented Brunei at the Southeast Asian Games in 2017.

Queen Jetsun Pema, Bhutan
237k Instagram followers | @queenjetsunpema

In October 2011, the beautiful Jetsun Pema, daughter of a pilot, married the ‘Dragon King’ of Bhutan to become the youngest living queen in the world at the tender age of 21. Often called the “William and Kate of the East”, the royals recently celebrated their tenth wedding anniversary. Her husband, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck indulged in PDA at the elaborate celebrations and joined the media to praise his effortlessly elegant wife, “I am very proud of her,” he said to the press. “She is a wonderful human being.”

According to The Washington Post reported that “in one version of events, the two met at a picnic when she was seven and he was 17; she reportedly came up to him and gave him a hug.” The queen’s family ties with the royals go back several generations. Though she’s the daughter of a pilot, her paternal great-grandfather was lord of the eastern province of Tashigang, and her maternal grandfather was the half-brother of the wife of Bhutan’s second king.

Often seen in limelight without a hint of makeup, brandishing her flawlessly radiant complexion, the queen is a mother of two boys, Gyalsey Jigme Namgyel, born in February 2016 and Gyalsey Ugyen Wangchuck, born right at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Before stepping in the royal life, she studied international relations, psychology, and art history London’s Regent’s University whereas her husband received his education at the Oxford University. The couple share a common love for art.

Maharaja Padmanabh Singh, India
234k followers | @pachojaipur

Padmanabh Singh, the 23-year-old Maharaja from India makes headlines even without intending to. From traipsing in his magnificent palace in Jaipur (India), to hiking the terrains of Machu Picchu or having the time of his life blowing out birthday candles in an enviable Roman castle, the dashing royal knows how to make headlines even without trying. He shot to international intrigue and fame after walking the ramp for Dolce & Gabbaba at the Milan Fashion Week in 2018 – several magazine covers and fashion collaborations later, the polo-playing royal commands the world’s attention.

Fondly called Pacho by friends and family, a name bestowed upon him by his grandmother, Maharani Padmini Devi, Padmanabh Singh’s title is not officially recognised by the Indian government given that the country’s federal parliamentary democratic republic. His love for polo runs in the blood. Pacho’s great-grandfather, Sawai Man Singh II, brought international recognition for India after winning the first Polo World Cup championship held in France in 1957. At just 18, when most teens are recklessly enjoying life, Pacho even after living a life of riches and opulence represented India as the youngest member of a World Cup polo team. A winner of several sporting accolades, the young royal is known to be dedicated and disciplined to a fault and has never missed a day of training in his life.

Queen Rania, Jordan
6.3M followers|@queenrania

Influential in her fashion choices and her advocacy for public health and education, ever since her husband Abdullah II, became the King of Jordan in 1999, the stylish Jordian has been serving us incredibly tasteful looks. Breathtakingly beautiful, the 51-year-old Queen Rania is renowned the world over for her contemporary elegance, unique sartorial style, philanthropy efforts and her open support for the native tradition.

Fluent in Arabic and English, Queen Rania earned a degree in business administration from the American University at Cairo. Before joining the royal ranks, she worked at Citibank and even for Apple Inc in Amman, Jordan but destiny had other plans as she bumped into her future husband then-Prince Abdullah, the son of King Hussein of Jordan and his second wife Princess Muna at a dinner party. Six months of dating and they were engaged.

Princess Sirivannavari Nariratna, Thailand
84.2k followers|@royalworldthailand

The daughter of the current king of Thailand, King Vajiralongkorn, has every accomplishment on her resume – from fashion designing, professional badminton, equestrian accolades to writing love poems – the young princess lives and breathes creativity. Trained in top fashion houses like Armani, Ferragamo, Bulgari and Christian Dior, she’s the designer of her popular namesake label (Sirivannavari) and often regarded as one of the most creative royals in the world. Her badminton team won gold at the prestigious 2005 South Asian Games.

The promise of Timothée Chalamet…

At the tender age of 22, when most of his contemporaries were just beginning their careers, US thespian Timothée Chalamet was fêted by Hollywood as the youngest actor in almost 80 years to be nominated for Best Actor at the 2018 Academy Awards. Yet, much like Cinderella when the clock struck midnight, the following day saw Chalamet hit with the realities of his everyday life in Manhattan with no credit card, no roof over his head, and barely a few dollars to his name.

Yet, his perseverance in the face of such adversity has yielded huge rewards. Subsequent performances in big-screen productions such as Beautiful Boy, filmed later that year, and Little Women (2019) went on to garner critical acclaim and cement his status as a rising star.

Despite being something of a staple at red-carpet events lately – he sported white sweatpants and sneakers to what was dubbed the biggest fashion event of the year, the Met Gala – his rather recent entry into the limelight means that for the most part, his personal life remains an enigma. As Chalamet returns to the silver screen this month in the long-awaited film adaptation of cult sci-fi novel Dune, we delve into some lesser-known facts about the Call Me by Your Name star…

French Connection
Timothée Hal Chalamet – to give the now 25-year-old his full name – was born in the Big Apple to real-estate broker Nicole Flender and Marc Chalamet, an editor for UNICEF. Given his French-American roots, young Timothée spent many summers in his father’s hometown of Le Chambon-sur-Lignon and speaks fluent French.
Speaking to the duality of his upbringing, the actor explained: “Once I was there, I became the French version of myself. I was completely imbued in the culture and I even dreamed in French.” A talented linguist, Chalamet Jr also picked up a smattering of Italian prior to filming Call Me by Your Name, which was set in Lombardy.

High-School Posse
Bitten by the acting bug at an early age, Chalamet attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, one of the most prestigious such establishments in New York City – luminaries like Jennifer Aniston and Nicki Minaj are alumni. While there, he partnered for the first time with his Little Women co-star Ansel Elgort. Not only did the two prodigies share the stage there, they were also on the same basketball team. Remembering their personalities, their former drama teacher Harry Shifman said: “They were both like rock stars, in a school full of rock stars. Everybody recognised them as being particularly gifted.”
Elgort wasn’t Chalamet’s only high-profile schoolmate, though. He also met Madonna’s daughter Lourdes Leon while attending LaGuardia, and after years of speculation about their relationship, the latter admitted earlier this year that the two had been an item when they were students.

Rap Game
In addition to starring in various high-school productions, Chalamet also dabbled in rap while attending LaGuardia. Under the alias “Lil’ Timmy Tim”, he created a music video in which he waxed lyrical about how much he loved his statistics teacher, Ms Lawton. Although said teacher only gave him a D+ grade for his effort, the clip went viral after he shot to stardom, with talk-show host Ellen DeGeneres even playing it during Chalamet’s guest spot on her show. Later, when he appeared on The Late Late Show with James Corden, he lamented: “I am never going to live this down. This is going to follow me everywhere.”

Interstellar Dropout
After graduating from high school, teen Timothée was accepted at the prestigious Columbia University, where he studied cultural anthropology. However, his enrolment coincided with the launch of his career, and he dropped out in 2014 after his freshman year, just before the release of his feature-film debut in sci-fi hit, Interstellar. Recalling the struggles of managing his acting commitments with his academic schedule, he said: “I just couldn’t figure out the balance, so I left school after a year, got an apartment in the Bronx… and have since been getting a steady stream of work.”

Young & Gifted
As mentioned, when the Call Me by Your Name breakout star was nominated for an Academy Award, he became the youngest actor to be so honoured since 1939, when then 19-year-old Mickey Rooney got the nod for his role in Babe in Arms. The event also made him the third youngest Best Actor nominee in Oscar history. While Chalamet has yet to clinch a major award, he has racked up a host of nominations for his CV, including three BAFTAs, two Golden Globes and four Screen Actors’ Guild Awards.

Gaining Respect
When #MeToo garnered global support in 2018, director Woody Allen was among the many Hollywood giants who faced backlash for his questionable past treatment of women. Chalamet was working with Allen in A Rainy Day In New York at the time, and in solidarity with the movement, the young man announced that he would donate his entire salary from the film to a list of charities aiding sexual assault victims and championing equal rights, such as Time’s Up, the LGBT Centre in New York, and RAINN. Explaining the move, he posted on Instagram: “I want to be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the brave artists who are fighting for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Dune Bug
Even before he was attached to the newly released Dune, Chalamet was so keen to work with its director, Denis Villeneuve, that he set up a Google alert to track the film’s production and began reading the novel on the off chance that he would be cast. “I was about halfway through the book when he asked if I could come out to meet him, so I quickly busted through the second half of the book… And then I had that meeting, and it was such a joy,” he recalls. He certainly aced the face-to-face, nabbing his dream role as protagonist Paul Atreides in what will be an epic, two-part space odyssey.

Fine Art Asia returns to Hong Kong in a smaller edition but with NFTs

It’s been an enormously exciting season of art in Hong Kong – right from Art Basel in May to the Affordable Art Fair, Unscheduled, Digital Art Fair Asia Edition, the K11 Art Mall Design Fest to Happy Hours – there’s been an art fair for every collector and every budget in the SAR. With the return of the Fine Art Asia, one of the continent’s leading international art shows, it’s clear the Hong Kong art market is going strong despite the lack of international investors.

Check out the details of the latest, Fine Art Asia, for your weekend cultural fix.

Art and Antiques from East and West

This year’s Fine Art Asia is running from October 8–11, 2021 at its usual Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai location. An art and antique collector’s dream playground, this year the galleries – both local and from afar – are showcasing museum-quality fine art spanning 5,000 years of cultural history.

Despite the challenges presented by Covid, Fine Art Asia aims to deliver a tighter, younger, homegrown fair with a focus on contemporary artworks by Asian artists, masterpieces by UK photographer Emily Allchurch and 13th-century Yuan dynasty lacquer dishes amongst others. With travel and quarantine restrictions still in effect, overseas gallerists and collectors will largely be amiss. The fair has liaised with some international galleries to participate remotely with the help of trained local staff. The fair’s founder and director, Andy Hei firmly remains optimistic on the potential of the 66 Hong Kong-based artisanal talent to draw in both traffic and sales. More than 3,000 visitors turned up on day one, stormy weather not withstanding.

Also Read: Hong Kong’s creative scene is exploding – witness it at the Digital art Fair Asia Edition

Standout Galleries

The number of galleries stand around one-third less than during pre-Covid times, but that brings a much crisp, fresh energy to the event – an increasing number of local and modern artists are getting the opportunity to make a mark in one of the most prestigious art markets of the world. At the same time, online activities are vying for the interest of oversees collectors and aficionados.

Hong Kong’s Ora-Ora at booth C3, known as a catalyst for innovation and openness of expression, has already sold a few opulent, key sculptures by Spanish figurative artist Cristóbal Gabarrón. Crafted in polychromed fibreglass, the figurines are an artist’s interpretation of history and philosophy bringing a fresh outlook and bridging the cultural divide between the East and the West.

A visit to booth A8, Tanya Baxter Contemporary is a must for any collector or enthusiast. With established galleries in both London and Hong Kong since the last 25 years, Baxter’s post-war modern and contemporary art collection is eclectic, featuring global icons from Anish Kapoor to Andy Warhol, Ai Weiwei, Frank Auerbach, Mark Rothko, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Banksy, Marc Quinn, Tracey Emin and Damien Hirst. Emin’s You Were Everything, Damien Hirst’s beautiful work of art, the Cherry Blossoms series, a powerful take on the beauty of life and death are few highlight pieces. “Our gallery showcases some of the finest international contemporary works from art from New York to Monaco, Hong Kong and Paris”, says Tanya Baxter Contemporary, and we couldn’t agree more!

Rasti Chinese Art dedicated to inspiring audiences with their classical Asian antiquities and contemporary artwork on China’s past is at booth C10 for your artistic perusal.

Like most fairs of the season, Art Asia is going blockchain, offering a series of works from ancient Chinese bronze sculptures to modern works of art to a wider audience through NFTs (non-fungible tokens). Witness limited-edition collectors items in the flesh at the fair and bid for them online at OpenSea.

Fine Art Asia runs until Monday, October 11.

Also Read: Summer crushing on art fairs in Hong Kong

Equestrian Lessons: Where to go horse riding in Hong Kong

Hong Kong might not be the first place you think about for horse riding sessions, but you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the SAR’s equestrian options.

Equestrian is a sport that has a long history in Hong Kong and offers a range of physical and emotional benefits for both young and old – balance, coordination, cardio training and stress management – to name a few. Whether it’s a one-off galloping session, a new sport you want to perfect or wish to enrol your kids for physical and emotional training with the most magical animals – here are the top equestrian centres in the city. Saddle up!

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_jockey_club_beas_equestrian_riding_centre — Image courtesy of Beas Equestrian Riding Centre

Beas River Equestrian
Location: Kam Tsin Rd, Kwu Tung
Price: HK$20,000 per year (For HKJC members only)
For more information: hkjc.com

Beas River Equestrian is Hong Kong Jockey Club members-only facility recognised by the British Horse Society and a certified Riding and Livery Centre. It provides an extensive range of equestrian facilities and arenas to train in, including a large indoor paddock and an international-standard competition arena in which regular competitions are held, which make up the best horse riding facility in the city.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_jockey_beas_equestrian_riding_centre — Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club

Here, courses are provided for every level of riding experience. Equestrian students from aged six years and up can progress from beginners to become competitive riders and train their horses further in skills such as dressage, show jumping, and cross-country classes in private, semi-private, and group classes with the guidance of internationally certified instructors.

However, to enroll at the Beas River Equestrian riding school, applicants would first have to become a member of the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Club Concession Scheme currently priced at HK$73,000 with a monthly subscription of HK$700 on top of the Beas River Equestrian annual fee of HK$20,000.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_clearwater_bay_equestrian_riding_centre (3) — Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club

Hong Kong Jockey Club Horse Riding School
Location: Tuen Mun / Pokfulam / Lei Yue Mun
Price: HK$415 per hour
For more information: hkjc.com

For non-members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club, they have the option to take part in horseback riding classes at any of the three HKJC public horse riding schools located in Tuen Mun, Pokfulam and Lei Yue Mun. The Tuen Mun Public Riding School, being the largest of the three, is a 40,000 sq.ft facility nestled between the forested mountains and calm seas on the western fringe of Tuen Mun, and is rated among the best in the world for equestrian sports.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_jockey_club_riding_school — Image courtesy of Hong Kong Jockey Club

Lessons are provided for all levels, from beginners and experienced riders to those training on a more professional level, in both English and Cantonese. The have several instructors on site for various levels, all of whom have obtained internationally-recognised qualifications from the British Horse Society (BHS). Classes are provided for students of four years of age and above in private, semi-private and group classes.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_clearwater_bay_equestrian_riding_centre — Image courtesy of Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre

Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre
Location: Clearwater Bay
Price: HK$20,000 per year (For HKJC members only)
For more information: hkcec.com

The Clearwater Bay Equestrian and Education Centre, on the other hand, is a private British Horse Society-approved private member-based equestrian centre that offers horse riding classes to both members and one-off lessons for non-members. Their lessons cater to all riding levels from aged four years and above, instructed by certified trainers under The British Horse Society system.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_clearwater_bay_equestrian_riding_centre (2) — Image courtesy of Clearwater Bay Equestrian Centre

Located in the Clearwater Bay Country Park, surrounded by the sea and stunning views, the centre’s facilities follow a strict standard of upkeep to promote a happy, healthy and safe environment for both horses and riders, and encourages the interactions between the two through stable management. Their extensive range of facilities includes a large outdoor jumping area, two paddock areas and 47 stables, as well as, a fully stocked tack shop for gears, horse-health products and more.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_lo_wu_horse_riding_school — Image courtesy of Lo Wu Riding School

Lo Wu Saddle Club
Location: Sheung Shui New Territories
Price: From HK$910 per lesson /45mins (non-members); HK$850 /45mins (members)
For more information: lowusaddleclub.com

Lo Wu Saddle Club is a independently operated non-profitriding school with a long history in the city dating back 30 years, originally as a camp for the British Army. It is now a leading equestrian facility in the city that serves horse riding courses to members as well as the general public. In 2007, after relocating, it now boasts 50,000 sq.ft of riding space, with state-of-the art facilities for all horse riding needs.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_hong_kong_lo_wu_horse_riding_school (2) — Image courtesy of Lo Wu Riding School

Lessons are instructed by an international team of British Horse Society-accredited coaches in horsemanship to teach anyone from every background, whether they are absolute beginners or professionals training on a competitive level. Ambitious riders are also prviledged with the opportunity to compete and participate in in-house events hosted within the facilities.

Their initiative also stretches towards providing children and adults who would have never experienced meeting, learning about or riding horses with the opportunity to do so by offering activities, including the Riding for the Disabled Association (RDA) lessons, free of charge.

Gafencu_where_to_take_horse_riding_lessons_international_riding_centre — Image courtesy of International Riding Centre

International Riding Centre
Location: Fan Kam Rd, Pat Heung, Yuen Long
Price: From HK$750 per 30 mins
For more information: irchk.com.hk

One of the largest private horse riding centres in Hong Kong, occupying 160,000 sq.ft, the facility includes five large irrigated sand paddocks and a stable of 36 horses, providing suitable riding environments for riders of all levels, both adults and children and ample space for solo or group lessons.

Their BHS-certified instructors have all had riding expereince for over a decade and substaintial knowledge in equestrianism. A great facility for the young, the centre puts a close focus on providing a fun way to exercise and build camaraderie, as well as organises camps and activities to build and encourage horse care and relationship through Easter Camps, Pony Camps and Horse Turn Out.

Netflix’s ‘Squid Game’ is sensational: 5 reasons why it’s so popular!

Setting aside the craze of K-drama rom-coms to spotlight a Korean suspense-thriller show that has been landing headlines, and become the muse of countless memes across different social media platforms around the world. On TikTok alone, hashtag #SquidGame has been viewed more than 22.8 billion times.

Squid Game is a psychological horror that often draw similarities to survival franchises such as Hunger Games and Battle Royale. The South Korean drama, released on 17 Sep 2021, has crossed the global charts of popularity within two weeks. It’s quickly became the most-watched Netflix show in 90 different countries — a first for any Korean drama!

Expected to grow even bigger, the global streaming platform is anticipating the series to rise to the top of the global charts and become Netflix’s most popular program ever. If that’s not enough to peak your interest and have you jump in on the hype of, we give you five reasons why you should…

1. A simple but compelling storyline
Named after a ’70s Korean childhood game, Squid Game, the show, written and directed by Hwang Dong-hyuk, centers protagonist Seong Gi-hun (Lee Jung-jae), an indolent father with a gambling problem, who finds himself betting against a suited man in a subway station after losing his winnings while running from loan sharks. He is recruited to participate in a game to win an extremely large sum of money.

Accepting the offer, he finds himself waking up in a room with 456 other contestants, all of whom come from different backgrounds and social class, but are gathered for the same reason — to play a series of games that will earn them a chance at winning ₩45.6 billion. But as soon as the first game begins, players quickly realise that the stakes are even higher than they were led on to believe; not only are they fighting to win the grand prize, but they are fighting to stay alive.

2. It’s binge-worthy
Not everyone has the time of day to commit to long-running shows, but with only nine episodes, the show is worthy of a quick binge before the week ends. The show is comprised of characters and plot twists that offer a mix of drama, comedy suspense, action and heart-felt moments all in nine hour-long episodes.

With a plot that takes the simple concept of playing childhood games, then pitting 456 desperate participants against each other for a chance at win a large sum of cash, the story unfolds into an elaborate reflection of human nature and modern capitalist society that elicit realistic emotions and struggles that has proven to be universally relatable.

The show serves up a well-rounded balance of hope, horror and entertainment that have will have you hooked and tapping “next episode” as soon as the credits roll.

3. The characters grow on you
What makes this dark thriller both uniquely dramatic and entertaining is the characters. Like any good show, the character development in the show add depth to the storyline that will have viewers’ perceptions of the players turning 180-degree as participants gradually shed layers of their personas — revealing their true nature.

To say the least, in the absence of heart-racing and action-packed scenes, the supporting characters such as emotionally-distant North-Korean defector Kang Sae-byeok (Jung Ho-Yeon), the intelligent and model leader Cho Sang-Woo (Park Hae-Soo), and the wise elderly Oh Il-Nam (Oh Young-Soo) convincingly portray realistic emotions that will have audiences rooting for the underdog and sympathising with the villains.

4. Cleverly layered details
Film buffs will surely keep their eyes peeled for details that symbolise a deeper meaning that foreshadow future outcomes or even mirror real life situations in metaphors, from the soundtrack to hidden meanings within objects, the many hints, musical cues and visual details make up an eerily calm and fun-loving setting that recall the innocence of childhood that drastically transitions as players are shocked back into reality in the harrowing fight for survival that unravels in horrific consequences with each failed attempt at completing the game.

Take for example the striking set designs of the Red Light, Green Light grounds of the first game, with the chilling and now iconic mechanical girl as the focal point — a character designed off of actual Korean children’s textbooks; or the vibrant Penrose stairs that serve as the interlude between resting area and playing zones which polarise the darker undertones of the games; nothing is as it seems and forever are these nostalgic symbolisms of childhood tainted as players continue to push through each stage of the competition.

Art director Chae Kyoung-sun said, “We created the places and displays trying to make the viewers think about the hidden intentions of Squid Game.”

5. A second season in the making
Holding back on the spoilers, this binge-worthy Netflix show rounds up to a jaw-dropping plot twist with plenty of holes and a cliffhanger of an ending that sill leave audiences wanting more. With a second season already in the works, there are still plenty of unanswered questions, and theories as to how the show will move forward.

But until then, the intense first season of this mega successful Korean drama series is definitely a hot and redefining Netflix series of the Korean thriller genre that will have you gritting your teeth through every episode.

October Highlights: Exciting events and exhibitions for the month!

Calling on all art aficionados! This brings in a slew of exciting exhibitions, fairs and happenings you won’t want to miss. From highly anticipated and Asia’s first of its kind, Digital Art Fair to a guided trip down memory lane with the Heritage Fiesta cum Roving Exhibition 2021. Clear up your social calendar and mark these dates down to enjoy a month-filled of refreshingly new and nostalgically delightful art and culture events.

West Kowloon Cultural District Performing Arts Season
Until 31 Mar 2022
Anew season of top-class performing arts is in session, courtesy of the West Kowloon Cultural District. From now until the spring, audiences can enjoy awe-inspiring programmes of Cantonese opera, dance, theatre and music. Look out this month for 100% Hong Kong by Rimini Protokoll – in which 100 local performers take to the stage – and ground-breaking Chinese choreographer Gu Jiani’s Transition. Musicians of different disciplines, meanwhile, sound out at Lau Bak Livehouse every weekend.

Price: Varies
Location: Xiqu Centre / Freespace, West Kowloon Cultural District, Tsim Sha Tsui
For more information: westkowloon.hk

Digital Art Fair
3 – 17 Oct
The first-ever physical and virtual art fair in Hong Kong is destined to shake up the city’s art scene and excite a new generation of art collectors. Five art zones constructed within the exhibition venue will play host to 40 international and local artists, as well as those at the forefront of the NFT art movement, while also providing a platform to learn from experts in the fields of art, finance and technology. Connect with more than 200 digital artworks through interactive immersive experiences, virtual museums, blockchain NFTs, augmented reality pieces and a slew of other thrilling events.

Price: HK$205
Location: G/F, Asia Standard Tower, Central
For more information: digitalartfair.io

ReThink 2021
5-6 Oct
Now more than ever, society is prompted to live more sustainably, from embracing eco-friendly products to adopting plant-based diets and zero-waste lifestyles. If you have yet to jump on the green bandwagon, the ReThink conference co-organised by the Business Environment Council returns with more insights (and inspirations) on how to drive sustainable development in Hong Kong and approach the unique challenges facing the city. Global keynote speakers, international case studies, interviews, panels and expert workshops will enlighten over a high-impact, interactive two days.

Price: From HK$550
Location: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Centre
For more information: rethink-event.com

Hiroaki Umeda: Indivisible Substance
6-8 Oct
Explore what it means to engage in art in a post-Covid world. Internationally acclaimed Japanese choreographer and avant-garde artist Hiroaki Umeda presents his latest work in progress. A virtual performance-art piece, Indivisible Substance draws from psychology and technological advancements such as AR and eye-tracking to challenge viewers to decide what is most relevant for their own body’s experience. The artist-audience interaction concludes with a post-performance discussion and Q&A session.

Price: HK$100
Location: Online
For more information: popticket.hk / westkowloon.hk

Circle x Raze – Health-Tech Revolution
6 – 19 Oct

Born out of a common vision of creating a safer future, Circle x Raze presents a #CombatCovid Collection in an exclusive pop-up store for only two weeks in Causeway Bay. The store highlights a combined selection of products that leverage cutting-edge technology to empower people to go about their day-to-day lives.

Price: Free Entry
Location: G/F, Kai Chiu Road, Hysan Place, Causeway Bay

Fine Art Fair
8 – 11 Oct

Fine Art Asia 2021, one of Asia’s leading international art fairs, returns to its usual Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre venue from 8 October to 11 October 2021. In a huge boost for the Hong Kong art scene, a flurry of art fairs have marked the summer despite the ongoing challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fine Art Asia 2021 will deliver a vibrant, bubbling fair with a focus on homegrown talent. Several renowned names will be vying for your attention — prominent among them is Tanya Baxter Contemporary (booth A8) — based in both London and Hong Kong, the leading art consultancy and gallery comes with decades of artistic experience working in the Post-Modern, Modern British and Contemporary art markets and is celebrated for supporting emerging as well as mid-career artists.

Price: HK$120 via HK Ticketing
Location: Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai
For more information: fineartasia.com

Outdoor Theatre, Robotics Workshop and more…
Until 31 Oct
The newly revitalised Central Market creates a ‘Playground for all’, hosting a series of screenings in its open courtyard, Oasis, as well as a slew of STEAM workshops for the kids, and more. From three thought-provoking features such as The Art of Forgery, a biopic of notorious German art forger Wolfgang Beltracchi, to robotics-building workshops, there’s really plenty to see and do at this newly opened venue.

Price: Free entry
Location: Central Market
For more information: centralmarket.hk

Heritage Fiesta cum Roving Exhibition 2021
Until 31 Oct
Take a stroll down memory lane and through the many historic landmarks of Hong Kong. The Heritage Fiesta covers 11 revitalised government-owned Grade I to III listed buildings, each of which will provide guided tours to visitors interested in rediscovering the city’s past architectural glories. From the Tai O Heritage Hotel and PMQ to Stone Houses, Haw Par Mansion and the former Fanling Magistracy, hours of fascinating exploring await history buffs. Exhibitions staged at the venues will run until the end of the year.

Price: Free entry
Location: Varies
For more information: heritage.gov.hk

Hong Kong Tramways World Record Celebration
Until 4 Nov
Art, leisure and shopping come together in one venue to honour Hong Kong Tramways’ Guinness World Record for the ‘Largest double-decker tram fleet in service’. Stationed at the Leica shop in Causeway Bay, the RecordDing Our Moments exhibcaptures the joy of riding on the beloved ‘Ding Ding’ through 15 works by local photographers. Join in to celebrate this iconic emblem of Hong Kong and its place in the city’s history. Arrival by tram is recommended…

Price: Free entry
Location: Leica Store, 12 Pak Sha Rd, Causeway Bay
For more information: leegardens.com.hk

Encounters Across Culture
Until 14 Nov
Through The House Collective, formed by a group of art- and design-conscious hotels located across China, comes Encounters Across Culture. Voyaging across four cities including Hong Kong, this biennial series showcases the diverse facets of each through an interactive performance of dance and design. Currently, The Upper House in Hong Kong and Chengdu’s The Temple House combine to give the stage to ballerina Hennes Yuen and hip-hop dancer Wan Siming from their respective cities.

Price: Free entry
Location: The Upper House
For more information: thehousecollective.com

When Form Matters
Until 10 Apr 2022
The pioneer of the New Ink Art Movement in Hong Kong, Lui Shou-kwan, comes under the spotlight in an exhibition tracking his artistic journey to Zen painting. The Hong Kong Museum of Art displays 41 paintings from its archives and 11 works loaned from the Art Museum of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Works by Lui’s peers and students are also presented in this long-running showcase, which pays tribute to the father of modern ink art in Hong Kong and his contribution to art education.

Price: Free entry
Location: Hong Kong Museum of Art
For more information: hk.art.museum

Plaza Premium Group’s Mei Mei Song on Covid-19 challenges faced by the aviation industry

The sky’s no longer the limit for leading airport-lounge operator Plaza Premium Group, as Mei Mei Song steers their global brand of luxury and convenience to train journeys, too.

What is the story behind the Plaza Premium Lounges? How did it all start?
In the ’90s, my father [globetrotting Malaysian entrepreneur Song Hoi-see] found it frustrating that international airports were not equipped with functional places for economy-class travellers to utilise their time efficiently between long-haul flights. A safe place, accessible to all, to rest and unwind, prepare for meetings before hopping on the next flight – perhaps for a fee; there was a clear gap in the market for that kind of experience. An opportunity came when both Hong Kong and Kuala Lumpur were building new airports, and he pitched the idea of a pay-per-use lounge for all travellers to the authorities. After a lot of initial hiccups, the world’s first independent lounge opened at the Hong Kong International Airport in July 1998. We’re going to celebrate our 25th anniversary soon.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-1 — Scarf, top and pants by Shanghai Tang; Heels by Mach & Mach, courtesy of Lane Crawford

After starting your career in the media, you are now Global Brand and Product Transformation Director at Plaza Premium Group. Was it always your plan to join the family business?
I studied economics and politics [at the University of Edinburgh] and toyed with the idea of becoming a politician. But I grew up in the aviation space, and airports always fascinated me. The passion that my parents have for the business is truly inspiring, and it rubbed on to me. The exact moment I knew I wanted to join the family business was when I was travelling to London for Fashion Week. I was scheduled to land at 5am and had back-to-back meetings at 9am, 10am and 11am, but the hotel check-in wasn’t until 3pm. I desperately wanted a place to shower and freshen up before the start of a workday. I wanted to jump into the family business and expand it so people could fully utilise their long layovers and benefit from a calm, luxurious lounge environment.

What have you learned from working with your father who is credited with transforming the global air-travel experience?
My father started this business from scratch through relentless hard work, grit and determination. He brings a strong foundation and the viewpoint of a different generation to the table. Everyone wants to succeed but does sustainability fit into your growth plans? Do you put customers’ needs ahead of everything else? One of the most important things he taught me was how to be a good leader, and that founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-8 — Sweater by Joseph; Skirt by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Giuseppe Zanotti

How challenging has Covid-19 been for a company in the business of aviation?
Extremely challenging. It’s no secret that aviation has been the hardest hit global industry in this crisis. At one point, travel came to a complete halt – 95-percent of our lounges were closed. That said, as a business we are agile, dynamic and entrepreneurial, and we took this period to revamp, regroup and reinvent. How you rise from adversity is very telling of the nature of your company. So, we took this opportunity to rebuild and recentre ourselves. We are currently at 230-plus lounges and by 2025 our goal is to have 550 lounges around the world.

“I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – people are increasingly travelling by rail and sea, and that’s an untapped market for us”

As a mother of a three-year-old, how did you balance work and the home front at the peak of the coronavirus pandemic?
It was hard for everyone during this period. But I’m very grateful for the incredible family support, a tight network of mums, friends and even amazing colleagues. It’s not easy for parents to do the balancing act of work and home on their own, especially at a time of global crisis. It really does take a village, doesn’t it?

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-4 — Dress by Maje, courtesy of The Outnet; Heels by Gianvito Rossi

What is the reality on the ground for the travel industry right now? Are Plaza Premium’s lounges fully functional?
Economic recovery is slowly setting in for our industry. The road is long, but the silver lining is the rising vaccination rate – as that picks up, we see an upswing in air travel. Factors like the length of quarantine and government policy in different countries also play a role in getting travel back on its feet, but as far as Hong Kong is concerned, the last two months have seen a massive uptick in travellers. We are a busy transit hub and university students from China are now flying back and forth. The European markets are on the road to recovery as well – the UK, Finland, the US and Canada have all experienced a surge in leisure travel and this is an encouraging trend.

Any upcoming projects you’re excited about?
We’ve just opened a lounge in Africa, which is an exciting development and a first for us on the continent, so growth possibilities are endless. China is touted to be the world’s biggest air travel market in the next decade and we have strong expansion plans there. I’m most pumped about our foray into train lounges – not everyone travels by air; people are increasingly taking rail and sea routes and that’s an untapped market for us. We’ve launched two premium train lounges in China – it’s a game-changing opportunity and a new benchmark of hospitality in the travel sector.

Gafencu_people_feature_mei-mei-song-plaza-premium-5 — Blazer by Paule Ka, courtesy of Lane Crawford; Dress by Pleats Please Issey Miyake; Heels by Bottega Veneta

Will travel ever rebound to pre-Covid levels?
Travel has changed, for better or worse. Many aspects of it might have changed for good. Expectations around health and safety are at the forefront. People want a digital, seamless, touchless experience when they travel. As technology blurs the work-life boundaries, ‘bleisure’ travel (blending business and leisure) is a rising trend – conducting business from a beach in Bali or extending a work trip for some well-deserved rest and relaxation. We’re optimistic about travel picking up again, but a lot depends on vaccination rates and how quickly governments roll back travel restrictions and open borders.

“Founding a successful business is not enough. How you conduct that business and the strength of your vision and values are key”

You are an avid traveller. What’s your favourite holiday memory?
I am not your average traveller. I love airports, stopovers and transits – rootless, functional places without identity and a confluence of different identities and cultures. One time I did Singapore, Abu Dhabi, New Delhi, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Dubai and London in seven days, just to visit all our lounges. That’s my most memorable, exciting travel memory.

And your least favourite travel memory?
Once I became a mother and resumed my robust travelling schedule with an infant in tow, I realised that services and facilities are not geared towards young mums. It was frustrating not to have diaper changing stations, feeding rooms and kids’ rooms when you need them the most. That’s when we made systemic changes to include a kids’ room, highchairs and children’s cutlery in all our lounges. We also have changing tables in men’s toilets as well as women’s because dads are now doing the parenting, too.

Thank you.

Interview by: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Videographer: Kingsley Lau; Art Direction & Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Hair & make up: Joenny Lau; Location: Plaza Premium Lounge (Near Gate 35, Departures) at Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)

How well do you know ‘The Suicide Squad’ actress Margot Robbie?

There’s no denying that Australia churns out more than its fair share of A-list actresses. From the chameleonic charm of Cate Blanchett to the ephemeral elegance of Nicole Kidman, screen sirens from Down Under have found wider fame in Hollywood. Headlining among a new generation of Australian talent to make their mark on the red carpet of Tinseltown is Queensland-born Margot Robbie.

Having her start in showbiz with a three-year stint as Donna Freedman in the long-running Aussie soap, Neighbours – a show that catapulted other eventual stars like Russell Crowe and Liam Hemsworth to Hollywood – Robbie hit the big leagues with such blockbusters as The Wolf of Wall Street (2013), Suicide Squad (2016) and I, Tonya (2017), for which she picked up an Oscar nomination. On her welcome return to the silver screen in a familiar role as DC Extended Universe supervillain Harley Quinn, we delve into some lesser-known facts about this talented thespian.

Father from her Mind
Until roughly five years ago, all that was known about Margot Robbie’s father publicly was that he was a ‘former farm-owner’. It wasn’t until 2016 that Aussie magazine New Idea revealed his true identity: sugarcane tycoon Doug Robbie. Perhaps this oversight was deliberate on the actress’s part; after all, he abandoned her and three siblings when she was still a toddler. The two remain estranged to this day – it was her mother who walked her down the aisle when she wed British film producer Tom Ackerley – and when asked in an interview about the qualities she’d inherited from her dad, she fired back, “None. Nothing. I’m not like him at all.”

Margot the Maggot
Despite her status as a gorgeous Hollywood star today, Margot Robbie’s childhood classmates notoriously christened her “Maggot”, a nickname that stuck for years. Recalling this uncomfortable moniker, she has lamented, “‘Maggot’ started when I was five, in Grade One, and I detested it. By the time I was eight, I realised it wasn’t going anywhere so I embraced it, but when I moved to Melbourne [to begin acting], people started calling me it and I hadn’t even told them it was my nickname!”

Slap in the Face
Playing the character of Naomi Lapaglia, wife of Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jordan Belfort, in The Wolf of Wall Street is undeniably the role that got Robbie noticed. But her method of landing the part was unusual, to say the least. It was her unscripted slapping of the Titanic leading man in an argument scene while auditioning that wowed director Martin Scorsese and landed her the role. Recalling her momentous decision, she said: “In my head I was like, ‘You have literally 30 seconds left in this room and if you don’t do something impressive nothing will ever come of it. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime chance, just take it.’”

No More Nudity
For that same role, Robbie – who until this point had maintained a sweet, girl-next-door image – performed a sex scene atop a pile of money that required full-frontal nudity. But appearing in the buff was so uncomfortable for her that she even lied to her parents about the graphic scenes. In order to avoid any awkward embarrassment, she convinced them that CGI had been used to fit her head to another actor’s body. It’s no surprise, then, that when Hugh Hefner reached out to her to appear nude on Playboy for a substantial amount of money, she turned him down. Interestingly, the scene led to ‘a million paper cuts’, with the star quipping afterwards: “If anyone is ever planning to have sex on top of a pile of cash: don’t.”

Trapeze Act
Whereas many young girls enjoy learning to dance, sing or play a musical instrument, fearless young Margot bucked the trend with a rather unusual passion – trapezing. At the age of just eight, she was enrolled by her mother in a circus school where she received a ‘trapeze certificate’. However, her love of acrobatics was soon replaced with an inclination towards acting. Years later, she began to have recurring dreams of flying through the air under the Big Top. “I couldn’t stop thinking about that stupid dream,” she recalled. “I feel like I missed my calling.” It was this sense of incompleteness that would eventually push Robbie to return to trapeze classes.

Drunk Tattooing
In addition to being a bona-fide trapeze artist, Robbie has also dabbled in tattooing. In fact, she even inked her Suicide Squad co-star Cara Delevingne and writer-director David Ayer. However, during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, she revealed that she’d given up the hobby after drunkenly tattooing a friend during a bachelorette party. “She walked down the aisle as one of the maids of honour in a backless dress and had this red, raw, scabbing tattoo and her mum was filthy with me … she was so angry and I thought, I really shouldn’t do this anymore,” laughed Robbie.

Suicide Stunts
In a serendipitous coincidence, the actress’s circus skills would come in handy when she landed her now-iconic role as Harley Quinn. Always a competitive spirit, though, she took things even further by performing many of her own stunts when filming Suicide Squad, including an intense fight scene which required her to hold her breath for minutes on end. Ultimately, her record was a staggering five minutes, though only one minute’s worth was actually used in the final cut. Recalling the intense physical acting by one of his leads, Ayer commented: “She has ridiculous depth, and she’s never been coddled, so she’s very physically courageous. The things she was doing herself as stunts, you wouldn’t believe. There’s only a handful of actors who do that sort of work themselves.”

Quinn-tessential Mismatch
Interestingly, despite the role having cemented her status as one of Hollywood’s major players, Robbie was not enamoured with the character of Harley Quinn, particularly her psychopathic personality. “I thought, I have nothing in common with her. I hate her,” she later said. “It was a really tricky one to get my head around.” Thankfully, she bit the bullet and accepted the part. Not only did this lead to Suicide Squad raking in nearly US$750 million at the box office, it spawned a 2020 spin-off, Birds of Prey, focusing solely on Quinn. Building on this commercial success, she’s reprised the role for a third time in yet another standalone sequel – rather unimaginatively titled The Suicide Squad – which premiered last month. Clearly, regardless of whether she’s overcome her Harley ambivalence or not, Margot Robbie knows which side her bread is buttered on…

(Text: Tenzing Thondup)