Angelababy preggers? Hubby Huang Xiaoming is tight-lipped

Speculation has been rife for nearly a month that Chinese actress Angelababy is pregnant with her first child.

Yesterday, when The New Paper asked her husband, Chinese actor Huang Xiaoming, point blank for a confirmation, the 38-year-old movie star did not deny the rumours and simply let rip a loud guffaw.

Perhaps we should ask Huang - and send him our congratulations - again in a few months' time.

Many Chinese couples believe it is unlucky to announce a pregnancy till after the mum-to-be's first trimester. Huang tied the knot with Angelababy, 27, last October in a star-studded wedding banquet in Shanghai.

He was speaking over the phone from Beijing to promote his new slapstick action comedy Mission Milano.

Now showing in cinemas, Mission Milano features the dynamic partnership of Huang (as wealthy entrepreneur Luo Jiahao) and Hong Kong veteran actor Andy Lau (as hapless Interpol agent Hong Jingbao).

The duo buddy up to protect an incredible scientific invention, the "Seed Of God", from falling into evil hands.

Although Huang was tight-lipped about the possible pregnancy, he was candid when asked if he shares Angelababy's ambition to make it in Hollywood.

Angelababy has played supporting roles in two Hollywood films, the thriller Hitman: Agent 47 (2015) and adventure blockbuster Independence Day: Resurgence (2016), whereas Huang has yet to venture into the US.

"Nah, I prefer a more relaxed lifestyle," he said, speaking in Mandarin.

"The day she becomes successful in Hollywood, I'd be her good, virtuous helpmate."

In Mission Milano, he has an onscreen kiss with sexy female co-star Michelle Hu.

It is not something he needs to report to his wife about, said Huang.

"Likewise, she doesn't need to tell me beforehand if she has to lock lips with her male co-stars," he said.

"When it comes to intimate scenes in movies, we are on the same page. We won't do scenes that are overly risque or steamy."

Working on Mission Milano gave Huang the chance to "get up close and personal" with his childhood idol, 55-year-old Lau.

"To me, Andy will always be an ageless dreamboat," said Huang. "He isn't just good-looking, he is a true professional. Whenever I come face to face with Andy, I turn into a gushy teenage girl."

When asked if he sought any parenting advice from Lau, who has a four-year-old daughter with his wife and former Malaysian beauty queen Carol Choo, Huang brushed away the question with a laugh.

"I didn't dare to ask him much about his personal life or daughter," said Huang.

"But I'm sure he is feeling very blissful."

Mission Milano (above) is a box-office hit in China, where it made a whopping RMB 120 million (S$24.7 million) during the country's four-day national holiday week last week.

However, some netizens still hold an unfavourable opinion of Hong Kong director Wong Jing's brand of lowbrow humour and silly gags.

But Huang leapt to Wong's defence, saying: "Wong Jing is a great guy and an extremely smart film-maker.

"He knows what kind of films he wants to make and they are popular, commercial films."

This article was first published on Oct 6, 2016.
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