Joanne Peh says pregnant body an 'ideal' state for nude photoshoot

Local actress Joanne Peh wants to pull a Fann Wong.

The 31-year-old, who announced on Wednesday that she is expecting her first child with China-born actor Qi Yuwu, might do a nude pregnancy photoshoot in the next few months.

Peh told The New Paper over the phone yesterday morning: "I have thought of doing it before, it's a good idea. When a woman is pregnant, her body is in a good and ideal state to do this kind of photoshoot."

Last July, first-time celebrity mum Fann Wong did a sexy photoshoot with only a piece of blue cloth covering her chest and hips when she was nearly eight months pregnant.

It was for a campaign by slimming specialist Marie France Bodyline, which appointed Wong as its latest spokesmodel.

During the 30-minute interview, Peh and her 38-year-old husband sounded excited and happy, speaking openly about their upcoming baby plans for the year.

The celebrity couple, who got married on Sept 9 last year after dating for a year, found out about the pregnancy last month, halfway through the filming for upcoming local historical movie 1965 in Batam.

Qi plays a police officer while Peh plays a feisty coffeeshop owner in the film.

TEST KIT

Peh, who is now nearly three months pregnant, said matter-of-factly: "When I missed my period, I more or less had the feeling. I used a home pregnancy test kit. When I found out, I was surprised and very happy. I am slowly getting used to the feeling now."

When asked if he cried upon hearing the good news, a jovial Qi laughed and said: "You think I am filming a movie now? I didn't tear but I was very happy and excited."

He declined to reveal where the baby was conceived, and would only say that "it was not in Batam".

He said: "We were so busy filming the movie in Batam, there was no time to make a baby!"

So far, Peh has not experienced any serious morning sickness.

She said: "I did feel my chest tighten on some nights. I try not to eat too fast or too much as my digestion is slower now. If not, I will feel very uncomfortable afterwards."

Peh added: "My weight has increased a little, and the weight gain is healthy. I don't believe that just because I am pregnant, I have to be eating for two people though."

She has, however, been craving for sour and spicy food such as mee siam in the past two months.

Qi said: "Sometimes she has a certain food craving at midnight, and she will tell me about it. But she knows that I am tired from work, so she will tell me not to go out and buy for her."

He added: "I cooked soup for her before, but she can't drink much too. I think she is going through the same kind of bodily changes that pregnant women go through."

The new mum wants to opt for a natural birth when the baby is due at the end of July.

"I want to experience the real pain of giving birth.

"I have been reading up about it and I heard that you have to be relaxed and not too stressed out or nervous for the delivery to be smoother and less painful."

To focus on her pregnancy, Peh will not take on any more acting assignments for now.

Qi, on the other hand, will be busy in Beijing shooting for a TV drama from next month to June, before returning here to film Channel 8 blockbuster drama The Dream Makers 2 from July to September.

The pair, who previously said they want a big family with many children, laughed when asked if that is still the case.

Qi said: "I think I have to experience how it is like to take care of the baby first. I have no preference for a boy or girl though, it doesn't make a difference to me."

Both said they have similar parenting styles, and there will not be "good cop or bad cop" roles between them.

Peh said: "We believe in letting the baby grow up freely, but we will also put our foot down when it is necessary."

Felicia Chin: It's excellent news, and a joyful start to 2015. They'll definitely make wonderful parents.

Zhang Zhenhuan: Joanne and Yuwu have such matching personalities which will help their child grow up healthy and happy.

Julie Tan: I can picture the whole family together with their new addition, so I am very happy for them. I think Ah Wu (Qi Yuwu) will be a very caring father. I have friends who have been trying very hard (and for a long time) to conceive, but have not been successful, so it's great to hear that Joanne is pregnant.

Jeanette Aw: It's not that surprising as it's the next phase of life after marriage. She has been looking forward to settling down, and I'm glad she has found someone she's happy with. I am sure they will love their child very much.

Shaun Chen: Yvonne Lim, Christopher Lee and Andie Chen all had sons last year. If Ah Wu also has a boy, all four of them can form a boy band and be the next F4.

jocelee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Jan 30, 2015.
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