Poor Shen Yue. The 25-year-old actress’ anxiety attack was caught on camera in an episode of the newly-launched acting reality show Memories Beyond Horizon. Even before she was called up for her self-introduction, Shen Yuen was already feeling the jitters and said she wasn’t feeling confident. But standing onstage facing a panel of esteemed mentors that included industry veterans like Kara Wai, Sheren Tang, Benz Hui, Derek Yee and even Jackie Chan, it seems the actress’ nerves got the best of her.
From the get go, it was quite obvious that Shen Yue was very very nervous – her hands were shaking as she clutched the mike. But after just one phrase, she was already tearing up and had to repeat her spiel from the start. She said “she didn’t want to be like this” but that she felt so stressed out standing in front of so many masters. Some of the mentors advised her to take a breath to centre herself. Others essentially told her to get a grip.
“Did you pretend to be nervous just now?”
After learning from the video that she’s already had six years of experience in the industry, some of the mentors wondered why she still got so nervous. They even thought she was just acting like she couldn’t control her emotions. Kara Wai added that it wasn’t a good way to make a first impression to the mentors. “The biggest failure of an actor is to forget all the skills learned when faced with a senior” she said. A visibly upset Shen Yue then apologised and said she wasn’t pretending. It’s just that it’s difficult to get a hold of herself in such an occasion. Kara then told her that the first thing she must do is to grow thicker skin.
Shen Yue added that when facing the camera and her director, she said she doesn’t get nervous. Concluding that she’s a “camera” actor and not someone who could do stage work in front of a big audience, mentor Maggie Cheung Ho-Yee advised to control her fears if she wants to become a versatile actor. Meanwhile, picking up from her comment that she doesn’t get nervous in front of directors, Derek Yee who’s a director told her to do an improv showing how she’s “disdainful of the show and couldn’t care less about the results”. This is where things started to really go downhill for the actress.
“I Don’t Want to Act It Out”
Initially, Shen Yue nervously tried to give it a go, but after being told to get on with it and to hurry and “act!”, she kind of gave up and said she doesn’t want to perform anymore. The mentors tried to give her some encouraging words but after walking off the stage, Shen Yue broke down in tears.
Backstage, several of the mentors tried to comfort her and give her words of support. Kara, who’s known to give some tough love to the contestants, gave her a hug and said it’s okay. Ever the mentor however, she also advised her not to waste the opportunity whilst also giving her tips on how she could’ve handled Derek’s improv request. Others like Benz and Francis Ng also came backstage to check on her to boost her up.
Shen Yue Shares Her Thoughts
Meanwhile, Shen Yue has also taken to social media to post about her experience. The actress who actually started out working behind the scenes said that vlogging is something she’s comfortable with. However, a big variety show like Memories Beyond Horizon is outside of her comfort zone such that her fears and cowardice have nowhere to hide. She wrote, “I don’t want to run away, don’t want to always hide behind others…” Through this experience, she looks forward to seeing a new side of herself in the future and wishes for everyone to be happy and brave.
What do you guys think? Reaction online is very much divided. Some viewers believe it is all part of the script. Others echoed the same musings of the mentors wondering how she was able to handle things the past 6 years. Meanwhile, supportive Netizens cheered her on to keep working hard, not to give up and don’t be discouraged. Likewise, there are also those of the opinion that she shouldn’t squander the opportunity given to her.
Source: 1
” After Anxiety Attack Onstage){kind=link}
Laila
wow, how does one act out their anxiety? I mean, sure some do but the way Shen Yue was already super nervous and shaking, yea girl ain’t faking it. Just because someone has been a celebrity for many years does not mean that they still don’t get nervous or experience some sort of anxiety on stage. We’re all still human in the end. Our body will still react to situations regardless of how many years of experience. Hope the best for ShenYue tho.
Anon
If, after 6 years of acting experience, one still can’t control one’s emotions in front of an audience, then that person sure is a lousy actor. Controlling, projecting and channeling one’s own personal emotions is one of the very first skills an actor learns and practices throughout his career. That’s how they can cry on demand, still act happy and carefree according to the character’s demands, even when one’s parent is at death’s door.
That’s why the mentors, who are all seasoned actors and directors wondered how she could have survived 6 years. And asked her whether she’s acting nervous to get some sympathy. There is no such thing as not nervous in front of a camera, but nervous in front of a panel of judges. Heck, her resume says she’s an actor, a model and a singer and had even won awards.
Either way, whether her uncontrollable nervousness was real or fake, I am guessing she has created a negative impression of herself in the industry. If real, then working with her will take a lot of time cos there will be numerous takes which increases production costs. If fake, then she is totally unprofessional, wasting everyone’s time on the show just to garner attention. She had a chance to showcase her skills to progress her career but she has blown it.
Picasso
Jackie Chan seems to be more friendly and approachable. When faced alone with such a group of famous and seasoned veteran actors, it’s hard to stay calm. But I think 6 years in the profession to have such a phenomenon is also a bit unprofessional. We are just ordinary people we become what we behold, we will objectively perceive it as a very normal loss of temper, but according to showbiz, it is inexperienced and unprofessional.
HL- Hoh Liu
Whoever styled her needs to be fired… she look awful. But saying that, for her to still be in the industry, I am shock. One mentor said she has a face that can find work in this industry for a long time… I just looking and thinking about that comment. I still cannot agree with it. She is a has been now… I really am not sure we will see much of her from now.