SINGAPORE: Irene Ang has sparked stories of the trauma of living with absent parents online after she opened up about her tumultuous childhood shaped by her mother’s struggle with drug addiction, in a tell-all interview with Our Grandfather Story (OGS).
Irene has been a beloved figure in Singaporean entertainment for more than two decades, bringing laughter and entertainment to countless fans. Yet, beneath the surface of her public persona, she has carried a heavy burden.
“I have no memories of enjoying any time with her,” she said in the video, referring to her mother. Irene described a home environment filled with violence, frequent arguments, and the distressing aftermath of shattered bottles and plates.
The actress also recalled that her mother, Tan Meng Choo, even took her to the place where she used drugs. “There were candles and this kind of paper. Then you would put the powder in it, and there was a straw,” Irene recalled, while looking at her mother.
“Once I came back from an exam, I think I passed but didn’t score very well. I think you were high, but you took a vegetable knife and chased me,” she added, “You chased me from the ninth floor to the eighth floor to the seventh floor, and to the neighboring unit. Our neighbors still remember this.”
Her childhood led to lasting traumas. Because she had to be independent and survive through all of the chaos, she has “hardened so much” to the point where she could no longer cry whenever she was sad.
“Even when my grandma passed away, I was so, so sad but I coudn’t cry,” she said.
Irene also revealed that she made a pact with her brother that they would never touch drugs. She said, “If anything happens, I can take responsibility. I don’t want to be out of control ever.”
Her mother, on the other hand, shared that she turned to drugs after her marriage fell apart, with her husband repeatedly cheating on her with multiple women. Although she quit drugs at the age of 38, she felt deep remorse for not being able to care for her children when they needed her most.
“When I was in the drug rehabilitation centre, I thought of you all,” she said to Irene. “I thought, ‘If I hadn’t smoked white powder, now I would be by my kids’ side.”
Although Irene says she has never received a proper apology from both her parents, she has chosen to forgive them. To make up for her mistakes, her mother has also tried to become a good parent to both of her children. “As long as they ask, I’ll do whatever they want,” she said.
Towards the end of the interview, Irene expressed that she’s happy that they have “successfully defied what was given to them and the family that they were born into.”
“We have created our own family that we want to have. Not perfect, still. But at least it’s close to what I would like to have in a family unit.”
Many netizens were deeply moved by the interview and felt inspired to open up about their own stories of trauma.
One netizen, who also endured a childhood marked by trauma, abuse, and abandonment, shared: “I totally understand her stance, no one asked for forgiveness and it took years well into my adulthood to come to terms with what happened to me, but I choose to forgive, and some days it’s harder to do that, but I know now forgiveness is for me, not for them.
“I took care of myself and accomplished milestones myself, and when you’re so used to doing that, your adult relationships with people often suffer. And I’m thankful that I broke the generational curse and chose peace.”
Another netizen recounted his childhood, writing: “Although my dad supported me financially and even overseas to study, the only childhood that I remember of him, is the physical abuse he rained upon me when I was a child.
“Never beat your kids, they will remember it forever. Even if they forgive you, they will never forget. It is a scar that they carry with them through life.”
There was also a tremendous outpouring of support and admiration directed towards Irene for her incredible strength.
One commenter expressed, “I’m in awe of the amazing journey that Irene has gone through, and applaud how far she has come with her grit and hard work.
I also admire the bravery of both mother and daughter to come forth and publicly share their difficult and painful past.”
Another said, “Irene, I am so proud of you. You went through so much. You are still strong. Yet you grew up to be a person of good value. You are so awesome and can be an inspiration to many who are going through the same difficulties and traumas.”
The wave of support was so great online that the director of the OGS episode, Pei Fang, penned a personal note in a pinned comment to thank Singaporeans for sharing kind words and opening up about their own experiences.
Pei Fang revealed: “When I was working on the story, I was struck by how Irene and her mom have different perspectives on forgiveness. Revisiting their past reopened old wounds, and it was truly raw and painful for everyone involved.
“Discussing family traumas and generational pains is incredibly challenging, especially in a society that places such a high value on filial piety. It’s not easy to put yourself out there for public scrutiny, so I hope we can approach them with empathy and understanding.”
/TISG