Sexiness is an attitude: Lydia Sum's daughter Joyce Cheng

Lydia Sum's daughter Joyce Cheng is embracing her full-figure in a new spread for Hong Kong fashion magazine Marie Claire, My Paper reported.

Sporting a shock of blonde curls and a corset-style swimsuit with high heels, Cheng, 28, confidently flaunts her curvy figure in the photoshoot.

But the singer-actress, who inherited her mum's roly-poly body shape, has struggled with obesity her whole life - a journey made especially difficult under the glare of the media spotlight.

Cheng slimmed down to 51kg from 104kg in 2003 to fit the celebrity mould, thanks to a weight-loss endorsement deal, according to reports.  But it caused health problems and affected her mood. She also worried constantly about losing control over her weight.

After years of yo-yo dieting, Cheng finally made the decision last year to 'stop caring about what others think', and focused on being healthy instead.

In a Facebook post, she wrote: "I want to tell everyone, you need to be yourself, you need to make yourself happy, need to make yourself healthy.

"My new life is beginning now. Nothing will defeat me because I understand myself. I rediscovered myself.

"If you are facing any difficulties in your life, please look at me. If I can bear it, you definitely can too! Please don’t let your happiness depend on your body shape! Everyone work hard!"

After setting herself free from the scale for a year, Cheng reportedly weighs 90kg now, and with her photographer boyfriend by her side, she now confidently proclaims: "My inner beauty is overwhelming!".

candicec@sph.com.sg