With a Shrinking Wallet, Sheren Tang Moves from Large to Small Home
Sheren Tang spotted shopping for furniture for her new apartment.
Sheren Tang Shui Man recently moved from a large home to a small home. Without work for several months, Sheren had plenty of time to shop for new home furniture. Spotted in the furniture store, Sheren showed interested in a cloth sofa. After studying the catalog and fabric samples, she finally decided not to purchase it.
Due to 2004’s “War and Beauty,” Sheren Tang’s popularity reached a new peak in her career. However, she refused to bow to pressure and sign a management contract with TVB. Thus she severed many opportunities to make money.
In 2007, when real estate prices peaked, Sheren purchased a modest $4.3 million (HKD) apartment as an investment. Instead, she rented a $30k luxury waterfront apartment to live in. Due to the souring economy, Sheren was forced to face financial reality. She moved out of her luxury apartment rental into the smaller property in Cheung Sa Wan, which was originally intended as an investment.
Both Sheren and Gigi Lai Chi’s careers rose to new peaks after “War and Beauty.” Gigi signed with TVB afterwards and recently retired from acting due to her marriage. On the contrary, Sheren was still worrying over her career.
The forty-three year old Sheren had an opportunity to win the 2005 “My Favorite Actress Award” and was offered favorable contract terms, but she insisted on remaining independent from TVB. Although not a TVB managed artist, Sheren continued to be promoted in “La Femme Desperado” and “The Family Link.”
After the success of “War and Beauty,” Sheren’s per episode fee rose from a few thousand dollars (HKD) to $25k (Yuan) in China. Due to a sudden increase in her income, Sheren purchased the $4.3 million (HKD) apartment in Cheung Sa Wan in 2007 while real estate prices were still in the stratosphere.
Although her career held much promise at the time, Sheren deliberately cut down her work load to reduce stress. Filming only two series per year, she was able to uphold a leisurely lifestyle.
When the financial crisis hit, Sheren’s income shrunk substantially. Increasing her filming output to 4 series in 2008 in China and Hong Kong, Sheren was intent on putting money back into her wallet. Sheren gave up renting the luxury waterfront home and moved back into the apartment in Cheung Sha Wan, which had plummeted more than $400k (HKD) in value.
While browsing in several stores, Sheren would only hold the garments and jewelry against her body and check in the reflection. Throughout the entire shopping trip, she did not spend any money.
Paying a mortgage with limited income, Sheren continued to drive her old Toyota Will car.
A source close to Sheren commented, “Although Sheren refused to sign with TVB in 2005, she was still offered leading roles in ‘La Femme Desperado’ and ‘The Family Link,’ which both reaped in high ratings and critical acclaim. However, in ‘The Drive of Life’ and ‘Your Class or Mine,’ the main focus has shifted away from Sheren. Expected to follow the success of ‘War and Beauty,’ TVB’s new 2009 series, ‘Beyond the Realm of Conscience’ stars Michelle Yim Mai Shuet, Tavia Yeung Yi, and Charmaine Sheh Shi Man instead.”
Sheren has not had any work since the start of 2009. Although spending one hour walking from store to store, she did not purchase anything. Entering designer store, Lanvin, she picked up some jewelry. Upon discovering the presence of reporters, Sheren immediately put on her sunglasses.
With a shrinking wallet, Sheren watched her spending carefully. Sheren did not capitalize on the success of “War and Beauty” and sign with TVB. In the last few years, her income was only mediocre and filmed only two series each year.
Sheren’s 4 year total income is estimated at approximately $1.32 million (HKD). It is a pity that Sheren is no longer the force she used to be.
Article Source: Next Magazine #992
Image Source: kugou.com
Jayne: It is a shame that Sheren did not capitalize on the huge success of “War and Beauty” to further her opportunities more. Sheren reminds me of Wong Hei, who as another principled actor, seems to have fallen out of favor with TVB despite their obvious talents. TVB gives more opportunities to artists that yield to management terms
