Singapore’s Radio DJ Sonia Chew Auditioned For Bridgerton

The host and announcer also added that the casting team may be looking for a certain Southeast Asian look. However, Sonia knew at the back of her head that she was not trained in acting and she was doubtful that she would even get anywhere close. 

After signing the NDA, Sonia didn’t think it was challenging to keep the news from family and friends. She said: “I don’t think it was something that I was shouting out about. Firstly, I wasn’t meant to be the only person that actually knew about it. At the time, it was my then boyfriend, now fiance, Jeremy.”

It was on their vacation together that Jeremy helped with her audition tape by making sure the recording was working well. 

Sonia credited her fiance for being so understanding. “I guess he’s just used to my line of work, and he’s no longer very surprised at the things that I have to do, all of a sudden,” she said.

Eventually, Sonia told her family the news when Yerin Ha was confirmed for the role.

“I didn’t want to break the agreement or anything, even verbally, right? So most of that was kept very tight between my artist management, myself and my partner, who clearly had to help me with the reading of the script,” Sonia stressed.

Sonia had to memorise her lines, deliver it in a British accent and have herself recorded saying the lines in less than 24 hours.

She added: “I had to pull it together literally in a couple of hours due to the time difference. Not only did I have to try and memorise as much of the script as I could, I was worried about my delivery, because, you know, acting is not my forte. Secondly, it was the accent, right? I was told by my artist manager that I didn’t think the accent was there just yet. So I said I will try and watch some of these videos as much as possible. And I don’t think we realise how difficult it is to actually adopt an accent overnight.”

Sonia shared that she has so much respect for performers, actors and actresses who are able to deliver their lines. To her own experience, Sonia felt that she had grown from it, and expanded on her perception of growth and success. 

“I didn’t realise that it impacted so many people who actually dropped me DMs or did their own reaction videos to my reaction video and shared that it gave them the courage and strength to just be silly and try something that they’re not comfortable with. And just to be free,” she said.

The host also received negative comments from netizens about her audition tape but that also taught her a lot about herself.

“People in the public eye can find it very challenging, because we do hope to have the support of our own people locally as well. And I just want to implore and encourage our fellow Singaporeans, whatever industry it is, not just media, not just celebrities or artists –– to just be a little bit kinder and more encouraging to the people around you who are trying to pursue their dreams. And you know, to just try something new; you never know what’s going to happen or what might come out of it,” Sonia shared her hopes.