11 interesting things to know about Sheila Sim

One of the last things you’ll expect when attending a wedding is to be talent scouted to be a model, much less at the age of 16 that would kickstart your eventual career in the entertainment industry. That was what happened to Sheila in Hong Kong while attending her aunt’s wedding. Her aunt, Ivy Chng, was a prominent model in the 1990s and her wedding was attended by many bookers, producers and directors. Rather serendipitous, isn’t it?

In a 2014 interview with Scene, it was revealed that Sheila wanted to stay in Hong Kong for a month but it later became a four-year stint between 2002 and 2006. She credits those formative years to be the foundation of her modelling career where she honed her skills with magazine photoshoots.

The proof? The extensive list of international and leading magazines, brands, runways and campaigns in her oeuvre including Singaporean designer Ashley Isham, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Christian Dior, Fendi and Audi Fashion Festival. She was appointed as SK-II’s first Singapore brand ambassador in 2011 appearing alongside Cate Blanchett and Tang Wei.

Perhaps spurred by the lack of training that models get, Sheila started her own model and artiste management agency Nu Models and Nu Management in 2013 where she serves as the Creative Director. Besides managing models and artistes including hairstylist Dexter Ng and makeup artist Clarence Lee, Nu also conducts courses on modelling, personal branding and presentation skills.

Named Sceneplicity, the now-defunct fashion label was founded in 2011 and was carried in various multi-label boutiques in Singapore. According to Sheila’s LinkedIn, the brand had also collaborated with Love, Bonito to create a capsule collection in 2012.

Specifically, an indie film titled Autumn In March. The 2009 movie was written and directed by Huang Yiliang and Sheila starred alongside Phyllis Quek, Nat Ho and Bernard Tan with co-stars Huang and Joey Swee. In the horror thriller, Sheila plays Xinjie, a mysterious girl who lives alone in a gigantic bungalow and is trying to lease out rooms cheaply that many prospective renters believe the house to be haunted. You can catch the full movie on YouTube here.

In 2013, Sheila made the move to the small screen with I’m In Charge where she played the lead role Wang Xiaohui. Now a recognisable face in local TV, Sheila later starred in many productions including 118 (2014), 118 II (2017) and Eat Already? 4 (2018). She also clinched the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes win at the 2018 Star Awards.

In a 2012 interview with Straits Times, Sheila revealed that supporting charitable causes is near and dear to her heart, especially children suffering from diseases which she credits to her late brother Cedear who passed away from leukaemia when she was nine. For her 36th birthday in 2020, Sheila started a fundraiser for Care Corner Singapore on Giving.sg and raised over $11,000.

Scroll through Sheila’s Instagram and you’ll find her husband Deon Woo a regular feature. Fun fact: she met the banker on a dating app and it was an instant connection. The two got engaged within six months of dating in Hokkaido and tied the knot in January 2018. The two later welcomed daughter Layla Woo in September 2020, who has consequently become another regular feature on Sheila’s social media.

Together with fellow artiste Jade Seah, Sheila completed the Diploma in Positive Psychology. Throughout the course, Sheila went from being not pregnant to pregnant and finally giving birth – all while juggling a filming schedule.

In an interview with CNA Luxury, Sheila shared that meditation and therapy helped her mental well-being, and she was further motivated when her followers approached her to seek solace and share their struggles. Even at the early stages of the course, Sheila shared that she, and even her husband, saw marked growth in herself as she found new techniques and skillsets to help herself and others.

Sheila also conducts meditation classes for fellow mothers from time to time, so keep your eyes peeled for information on this dedicated Instagram page @wonderandwellness.

Having made a name for herself in the modelling industry, Sheila was facing other issues with her body especially when it came to maintaining her physique. Back in the day, the star was struggling with Body Dysmorphic Disorder, and even resorted to starving herself, surviving on one green apple a day when she first started modelling at 16.

But eventually, when she started to accept herself and her body, Sheila moved on to continuously focus on her mental and physical well-being, and she’s proud to be comfortable in her own skin. In fact, she has made it her own mission to empower others to overcome their insecurities and be their best selves. A few years ago, Sheila even took on a course in positive psychology, and she has continuously used her experience and what she has learned to help others.

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