Joanne Peh's ready to pose nude because...

When local actress Joanne Peh told The New Paper in January that she would want to do a nude photoshoot while pregnant, she was not joking.

The 32-year-old, who is eight months pregnant with her first child with China-born actor-husband Qi Yuwu, has found a photographer and she plans to carry out the photoshoot soon.

A relaxed and radiant Peh was speaking to local media at the press conference of local historical movie 1965, at Shaw Cinemas yesterday morning.

The $2.8 million production, which opens here on July 30, tells the story of immigrants and natives living in Singapore in the 1960s leading up to the nation's independence in 1965.

Peh plays a feisty coffee shop owner and Qi, a police officer. The film also stars Lim Kay Tong, Sezairi Sezali, Deanna Yusoff, James Seah and Mike Kasem.

Peh told The New Paper: "It's our first baby, so I want to do the photoshoot (as a memento). It's something very intimate and I think I look pretty when pregnant.

"Of course I will ask my husband to be in the shoot as well. We have found a photographer, but we haven't set any details yet because of our schedules."

Peh and Qi, 38, got married last September and announced the pregnancy in January.

The mum-to-be, who wore a sleeveless red dress, said it is harder to sleep comfortably these days as her belly gets bigger.

She also does not exercise as much as before and stays away from workouts that require her to be on her feet for too long.

"Nowadays, I go swimming. I also do yoga and pilates," she said.

"I continue brisk walking, but I walk for a shorter distance now as I get tired easily."

Peh said her baby kicks whenever she eats.

She said: "Whenever I eat something, the baby's movement will be much bigger and it makes me jump. Sometimes, I wonder if the baby is trying to dodge the food or something.

"I think the movements will become more severe in the next few weeks when there is less room in my tummy."

Peh, who is due at the end of next month, wants to keep baby's sex a secret for now.

She has opted for a natural delivery as she thinks that "it's the best for the baby".

She also wants to look after her newborn on her own instead of roping in her parents.

Since January, Peh has stopped taking on acting projects to focus on her pregnancy.

She is filming a variety programme which charts the progress of her unborn child and hopes to take on a comedic role when she returns to work after the baby is born.

"I've been wanting to do something light-hearted for while, something that can let me laugh."

jocelee@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 18, 2015.
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