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Jamie Chua

Revision as of 10:26, 4 February 2020 by Dayana Rizal (talk | contribs) (→‎Background)

Jamie Chua is known as ‘Singapore’s Instagram Queen” to netizens. She first hit headlines in 2011 when she demanded S$450,000 in alimony from her then-husband Nurdian Cuaca during their divorce. Thereafter, she became a socialite and ventured into entrepreneurship. As of 2020, Jamie spends most of her time attending fashion events and curating new content for her Instagram page which has over a million followers as of 3 February 2020.

Jamie Chua
Jamie Chua profile.jpg
Born1975
Alma materCHIJ Toa Payoh (Primary), CHIJ Toa Payoh (Secondary)
Spouse(s)Nurdian Cuaca (m. 1994, div. 2011)
ChildrenCleveland Cuaca, Calista Cuaca

Background

Jamie Chua is the oldest of three siblings.[1] Her father was a travel agent and her mother a housewife. Growing up, Jamie’s family struggled with their finances. Jamie’s high life, which she is now known for, only came about much later. Jamie studied at CHIJ (Toa Payoh) and it was during this time that she started modelling.[2]

Modelling

Jamie’s modelling career began when she was 15 years old. In a bid to better her family’s financial situation, Jamie chose to model over other jobs as “it was the best-paying part-time job [she] could get as a secondary school student”.[3] Initially, her parents disapproved, seeing modelling as a waste of money. To be a certified professional model, Jamie had to attend classes at Mannequin Studio requiring payments that added up to about S$800. Despite the hesitance, Jamie’s parents eventually lent her that sum.[4]


For the next two years, Jamie spent most of her after-school time auditioning and modelling for advertisements and photoshoots. Jamie eventually made enough to not just pay her parents back but to also acquire her first designer item - a $2,000 Chanel Bag.[5]

Socialite

 
Jamie Chua's outfit at the 2019 Icon Ball. Photo from The Peak Magazine.

Jamie is considered a socialite in Singapore due to her presence in the fashion industry on top of her immense wealth. She attends numerous fashionable social gatherings both locally and overseas. Prominent events in Singapore include the annual ICON Ball.[6] Notably, in 2019, Jamie was awarded for being one of the best dressed attendees.[7] Jamie is also a familiar face at international fashion conventions like the Paris Fashion Week.[8]


Jamie has built up a following on her various social media platforms over the years. Of all her platforms, she has the biggest following on Instagram with 1.1 million followers (as of February 2020). Her Instagram feed features curated photos that provide a glimpse into her extravagant lifestyle.

Singapore Airlines air stewardess

At 17 years old, Jamie joined Singapore Airlines (SIA) as an air stewardess.[9] Jamie flew the skies for three years, and it was on one of these flights that Jamie met her future husband Nurdian Cuaca.[10] Jamie’s career as a flight stewardess ended when she married Cuaca, an Indonesian businessman who would later become a multi-millionaire.[11] Jamie herself would later venture into entrepreneurship.

Financial status

 
Jamie Chua posing with her handbag collection. Photo from Instagram.

Jamie lives in a 10,000 square-feet house with her family and three dogs.[12][13] She reportedly has bird’s nest for breakfast daily and has two maids in her house to serve her family.[14]

Walk-in wardrobe

Jamie stores her purchases in a 700 square-feet walk-in closet that is also protected by fingerprint access.[15] According to Jamie, when she sees an item that she likes, she purchases it in every single colour available.[16][17]

Handbag collection

Jamie is recognised to have one of the largest collections of Hermès bags in the world.[18] In 2014, it was reported that Jamie owns more than 200 Birkin and Kelly bags that are worth over S$2 million.[19][20] The most expensive handbag that Jamie owns is a Himalayan Crocodile Birkin with white gold detailing and 245 diamonds encrusted on it.[21] The bag retails for $432,000.[22]

Shoe collection

Aside from her massive collection of handbags, Jamie owns over 300 pairs of shoes. On average, the shoes cost about $1,500 each.[23] Jamie’s cheapest pair of shoes are priced at $795.[24] Other expensive clothing she owns include a $19,000 Gucci Fox Fur Coat, a $27,000 Rami Kadi gown and numerous Chanel Jacket Dresses that cost $8,899 each.[25]

 
Jamie Chua pictured with Calista and Cleveland in 2018. Photo from Instagram.

Relationships

Marriage to Nurdian Cuaca (1994 - 2010)

Jamie met Nurdian Cuaca while working as a flight attendant in the business class cabin of a Singapore Airlines flight.[26] At the time of marriage, Cuaca was not yet a tycoon but just an employee at a company.[27] Jamie told an interviewer that the newly-wed couple struggled for 10 years before her husband struck it rich.[28][29]


Jamie and Cuaca became parents after the birth of their son Cleveland in 1995.[30] Their daughter, Calista, was born in 1998.[31]

Divorce (2011)

 
Nurdian Cuaca (left) pictured with Jamie Teo. Photo from Just Richest.

In February 2010, Jamie filed for divorce after being married for over 15 years. Jamie cited “unreasonable behaviour” as the reason for divorce.[32] In response, Cuaca opposed her divorce grounds and countersued for divorce on his grounds (also “unreasonable behaviour”).[33] The proceedings were thrust into the public spotlight following revelations that Jamie was asking for S$450,000 per month as alimony from Cuaca.[34]


During the divorce, Jamie applied to freeze her ex-husband’s $93 million worth of assets in addition to an interim maintenance order.[35] This move was taken as Cuaca had cancelled Jamie’s supplementary credit card and reduced her monthly maintenance fee.[36] Cuaca had also transferred $3.2 million over two days from a Singapore bank account to an Indonesian account.[37] He alleged that the money belonged to his sister but Jamie’s lawyers argued that it was a calculated move to reduce the assets that would be divided upon their divorce. As such, Jamie’s application for the injunction was successful.[38] Cuaca’s lawyers appealed against the decision to no avail.


It was reported in January 2011 that Cuaca was on Interpol’s Red Notice alert for alleged fraud. Cuaca was only informed about this through Jamie’s lawyers who had written to him during the settlement of the divorce.[39] The protracted dispute finally ceased on 15 November 2011. The final terms of the arrangement were ultimately undisclosed. The freeze on Cuaca’s assets was also lifted.


According to Jamie in a 2018 interview, Jamie and her ex-husband are now on amicable terms.[40] However, she did admit that the divorce was one of the lowest points in her life.

Terence Koh (2014 - present day)

Jamie has been dating lawyer Terence Koh since 2014. Terence is the Head of Legal at Commerzbank AG.[41] Terence is two years older than Jamie and has been referred to as her “Instagram Husband” on numerous occasions.[42] They met through a mutual friend in 2013.

Businesses

Cloud 9 Lifestyle - Manolo Blahnik Distributor (2006 - 2011)

Jamie’s love for Manolo Blahnik shoes inspired her to establish Cloud 9 Lifestyle in 2006. The company was a subsidiary of D’League, of which her then-husband Nurdian Cuaca owned a substantial portion of the company’s shares.[43] Since D’League was the parent company, Jamie’s brand could exclusively sell Manolo Blahnik shoes using D’League’s franchise rights. Jamie explained in an interview that it took her nearly two years to secure rights from the master franchise based in Hong Kong.[44]


Jamie opened her first retail shop in 2007 at the Hilton Hotel Shopping Gallery.[45] Jamie was the first to sell Manolo Blahnik shoes in both Singapore and Southeast Asia. In the first three weeks, the shop sold 480 pairs of shoes.[46] The good sales prompted Jamie to open another outlet at Marina Bay Sands. The second shop was opened in 2010.[47]


Jamie filed for provisional liquidation in 2011, citing potential cash-flow problems for the firm.[48] This was a result of D’League’s decision to stop funding Cloud 9 Lifestyle, of which Jamie was notified on 19 January 2011.[49] Eventually, both stores were shut down in 2011 following the closure of the company.[50]

Closet Raider (2014)

Jamie co-founded The Closet Raider with her friend, Sharon Tang in 2014.[51] The Closet Raider was created to help people find new homes for their designer items.[52] Thus, the company created an accessible online platform to fulfil that goal.[53]


The business rapidly gained popularity in Singapore despite being a new entrant to the already competitive market. A month after setting up the business, they amassed over 13,000 followers on the business’s Instagram page.[54] That being said, as of January 2020, the company has been struck off.[55]

Luminous1 by Jamie Chua (2015)

 
The Luxe Cream from Jamie Chua's skincare brand, Luminous1. Photo from Asiastyle Asia.

Luminous1 was a skincare company opened by Jamie Chua and Sharon Tang in 2015.[56] The company was created to provide high-quality beauty care products at affordable prices.[57] Jamie also started the skincare line so that she could get the skincare she wanted at a fraction of the cost.[58] The brand launched 5 products in total. Their official launch was on 8 April at 10.38 am.[59][60]

Product Details Price (SGD) Refs.
The Skin Polisher with Vitamin A&E Extract 50ml $79 [61]
The Luxe Cream with Marine Collagen Extract 50ml $139 [62]
Collagen Mask 5 sheets in a pack $59 [63]
The Elixir with Tomato Stem Cells 30ml $99 [64]
Renewal Essence with Hyaluronic Acid, Activator Gel and Repair Cream with Fruit Extracts Renewal Essence (30ml), Repair Cream

(30ml), Activator Gel (15ml)

$439 [65]

As of February 2020, Luminous1’s official website is no longer accessible and their social media pages are all inactive.[66][67][68]

Court cases (2016)

Lawsuit against Sharon Tang

In February 2016, Sharon Tang uploaded a photo of a wreath to Instagram, accompanied with the caption: 

“Some malicious people actually sent [a] wreath to my place instead of wishing me Happy Birthday”.[69]

A month before the post, Jamie and Sharon allegedly had a falling out. Jamie’s affidavit claimed that they fell out as Sharon had been using Jamie’s name to receive free products from sponsors. The post sparked off a barrel of negative comments about Jamie in the comments of the photo, which Jamie labelled as “abusive and threatening” in her court case.[70] The comments were directed at Jamie’s boyfriend, two children and her business.


The case involving Sharon Tang continued to last till January 2017. Jamie attributed the cessation of her legal action to her wanting to move on from the episode.[71] In light of the case withdrawal, Jamie was ordered to pay Sharon’s legal costs which amounted to S$7,500.[72]

65 other lawsuits

After the online attacks, Jamie filed cases against a total of 65 (mostly anonymous) individuals. She sought expedited protection orders against 58 netizens under the Protection from Harassment Act (POHA).[73] These protection orders were granted by the court in April 2016.


For the remaining 7 individuals, she pursued orders for anti-harassment.[74] They all entered the process of mediation and negotiation. One of the individuals involved was Sunny Tan, who was a friend of her boyfriend. 6 of the 7 cases were withdrawn in September after the parties involved had reached a private settlement.[75]

References / Citations

  1. ↑ Nanda, Akshita. “Queen of Instagram”. Asia One. August 27, 2013. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  2. ↑ “Why socialite Jamie Chua needed S$450,000/mth in maintenance”. Yahoo! Singapore. August 30, 2013. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  3. ↑ Zhu, Michelle. “Living a charmed life”. The Edge. September 3, 2018. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  4. ↑ Zhu, Michelle. “Living a charmed life”. The Edge. September 3, 2018. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  5. ↑ Nanda, Akshita. “Queen of Instagram”. The Star Online. September 1, 2013. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  6. ↑ Wee, Cheryl. “Blue belles in bloom”. The Straits Times. April 1, 2010. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  7. ↑ Heng, Melissa. “Belles of the Icon Ball”. The Straits Times. April 13, 2019. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  8. ↑ “Heart Evangelista, Jamie Chua reunite in Paris Fashion Week”. Heart Evangelista. January 27, 2020. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  9. ↑ Yeo, Melissa. “10 Jamie Chua Facts That Will Make You Green With Envy”. MustShare News. November 26, 2015. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  10. ↑ “How a Flight Attendant Hustled Her Way to Become Singapore’s ‘Queen of Instagram’”. Next Shark. April 5, 2016. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  11. ↑ Rebecca. “Singapore socialite Jamie Chua: A person with no work has no goal in life”. The Independent. March 12, 2019. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  12. ↑ Lee, Joey. “Socialite Jamie Chua's biggest designer bag regrets are all Chanels - an expert shares the best and worst bags to invest in”. Asia One. September 30, 2019. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  13. ↑ Zhu, Michelle. “Living a charmed life”. The Edge. September 3, 2018. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  14. ↑ “JAMIE CHUA”. Sweet Dot Addiction. May 10, 2015. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  15. ↑ Insider. “Fingerprint-Protected Closet In Singapore | Bonkers Closets”. March 12, 2019. Accessed on 3 February 2020. YouTube.
  16. ↑ Jamie Chua. “JC Wardrobe Tour”. July 25, 2016. Accessed on 3 February 2020. YouTube.
  17. ↑ Lee, Joey. “Designer Bags: Socialite Jamie Chua’s Regrets, And A Bag Expert Shares What To Invest In”. Women’s Weekly. October 30, 2019. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  18. ↑ Jiang, Ada. “Before the film, meet the real-life Instagram-blogging ‘Crazy Rich Asians’”. South China Morning Post. July 10, 2018. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  19. ↑ Cai, Candice. “How Instagram Star Jamie Chua Reacts To Her Fashion Twin At ICON Ball”. Her World. May 5, 2015. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  20. ↑ “Inside the homes of the real-life 'Crazy Rich Asians'”. Love Property. October 2, 2018. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  21. ↑ Nazren, Fasiha. “S’porean socialite Jamie Chua keeps showing off 65m² closet with over 200 Hermès bags”. Mothership. February 23, 2018. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  22. ↑ “The Anatomy of a $432,000 Handbag”. Vogue. October 14, 2014. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  23. ↑ “8 Jamie Chua Facts That Will Truly Blow Your Mind!”. The Asian Parent. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  24. ↑ Nazren, Fasiha. “S’porean socialite Jamie Chua keeps showing off 65m² closet with over 200 Hermès bags”. Mothership. February 23, 2018. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  25. ↑ Kash, Saba. “Jamie Chua’s Insane Closet Is Wardrobe Goals, And Contains The Most Expensive Bag In The World”. MustShare News. February 26, 2018. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  26. ↑ R. Hernandez, Chino. “13 Of Singapore’s Real Crazy Rich Asians”. Lifestyle Asia. August 10, 2018. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  27. ↑ “The Real Crazy Rich Asians: We Take A Look At Asia’s Affluent Elite”. Weekender. September 4, 2018. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  28. ↑ Lim, Atika. “10 Things You Should Know About Jamie Chua”. Women’s Weekly. August 2, 2018. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  29. ↑ Azliah, Nurul. “Singapore socialite Jamie Chua cried during interview with Indonesian media”. Yahoo! Lifestyle. November 8, 2017. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  30. ↑ Ann, Danielle. “Jamie Chua’s son, Cleveland, just got a 24th birthday present to end all gifts”. Alvinology. April 8, 2019. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  31. ↑ Jamie Chua. “TWINNING W/ CALISTA FOR HER BIRTHDAY! | JAMIE CHUA”. December 19, 2019. Accessed on 31 January 2020. YouTube.
  32. ↑ “Jamie Chua Opulent Home in Singapore : 700-Square-Foot Multimillion Dollar Luxury Wardrobe”. Blue Brickz. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  33. ↑ Vijayan, K.C.. “Businessman in divorce suit on Interpol list”. The Straits Times. January 13, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  34. ↑ “Why socialite Jamie Chua needed S$450,000/mth in maintenance”. Yahoo! Singapore. August 30, 2013. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  35. ↑ Vijayan, K.C. “Tycoon fails in bid to unfreeze $93m assets”. The Straits Times. January 12, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  36. ↑ "Jamie Chua’s ugly divorce case: The low-down”. The Asian Parent. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  37. ↑ Delgado, Cristobal. “INDONESIA: Nurdian Cuaca divorce: Interpol puts out red alert for the Indonesian businessman who is at the centre of protracted divorce”. Divorce Saloon. January 22, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  38. ↑ Murphy, Alice. “Millionaire socialite, 45, famed for her huge designer bag collection reveals how she packs for an overseas trip - and offers a peek inside her VERY extravagant wardrobe”. MSN. October 8, 2019. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  39. ↑ Vijayan, K.C.. “Businessman in divorce suit on Interpol list”. The Straits Times. January 13, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  40. ↑ Zhu, Michelle. “Living a charmed life”. The Edge. September 3, 2018. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  41. ↑ Koh, Terence. “Terence Koh”. LinkedIn. Accessed 31 January 2020.
  42. ↑ Rudd, Matilda and Murphy, Alice. “Glamorous socialite famed for her $120,000 wardrobe and huge designer bag collection reveals what REALLY goes on behind the scenes of her lavish Instagram photos”. Daily Mail. July 4, 2019. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  43. ↑ Vijayan, K.C.. “Divorce suit: Wife shuts shoe outlets”. The Straits Times. January 25, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  44. ↑ Vijayan, K.C.. “Divorce suit: Wife shuts shoe outlets”. The Straits Times. January 25, 2011. Accessed on 31 January 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  45. ↑ Ng, Huiwen. “Socialite Jamie Chua withdraws anti-harassment suit against business partner”. The Straits Times. January 18, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  46. ↑ “Manolo Madness”. The Straits Times. March 15, 2007. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  47. ↑ Lieu, Wei Ning. “Singapore finally has its own Manolo Blahnik stand-alone store”. Channel News Asia. June 4, 2018. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  48. ↑ Bruce, Niki. “MANOLO BLAHNIK SINGAPORE STORES CLOSED”. Her World. January 25, 2011. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  49. ↑ Vijayan, K.C.. “Divorce suit: Wife shuts shoe outlets”. The Straits Times. January 25, 2011. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
  50. ↑ “Manolo Blahnik struts back here”. AsiaOne. September 1, 2013. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  51. ↑ “THE CLOSET RAIDER PTE. LTD.”. SGP Business. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  52. ↑ Freeman, Jack “A DAY IN THE LIFE: JAMIE CHUA”. The Freeman Journal. Accessed on 29 January 2020.
  53. ↑ Idris, Hidayah. “Jamie Chua Drops Anti-Harassment Case Against Business Partner And Mutual Friends”. Cleo. January 17, 2017. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  54. ↑ Loi, Rachel. “Second-hand, first choice”. Asia One. May 26, 2014. Accessed on 31 January 2020.
  55. ↑ “THE CLOSET RAIDER PTE. LTD.”. SGP Business. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  56. ↑ luminous1byjc. Instagram. February 6, 2015. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/yvkup2tGwz/
  57. ↑ Zhu, Kathleen. “LUMINOUS1 | AN INTERVIEW WITH JAMIE CHUA”. Asia Style Asia. May 7, 2015. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  58. ↑ Wong, Mandy. “10 things that surprised us about Jamie Chua when we talked to her about beauty”. Daily Vanity. October 23, 2017. Accessed on 30 January 2020.
  59. ↑ “Products”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  60. ↑ luminous1byjc. Instagram. April 7, 2015. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/1KDMHhNG9M/
  61. ↑ “The Skin Polisher with Vitamin A&E Extract”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  62. ↑ “The Luxe Cream with Marine Collagen Extract”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  63. ↑ “Collagen Mask”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  64. ↑ “The Elixir with Tomato Stem Cells”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  65. ↑ “The Mini Facelift”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  66. ↑ “Luminous 1”. Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. Accessed 3 February 2020.
  67. ↑ luminous1byjc. Instagram. January 31, 2018. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bemhi67H72e/
  68. ↑ Luminous1 by Jamie Chua. “Home”. Facebook. Accessed on 3 February 2020. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/luminous1byjamiechua/
  69. ↑ “Jamie Chua Drops Harassment Application against Business Partner and Netizens”. RedWire. January 19, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  70. ↑ “Singapore’s “Queen of Instagram” Jamie Chua Takes 65 Persons to Court for Online Harassment”. RedWire. January 18, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  71. ↑ “Jamie Chua Drops Harassment Application against Business Partner and Netizens”. RedWire. January 19, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  72. ↑ Sharon Tang-Ling. “The "Order of Court" for my longstanding legal case”. Facebook. January 13, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  73. ↑ Vandebosch, Heidi and Green, Leila. Narratives in Research and Interventions on Cyberbullying among Young People. Switzerland. Springer Nature Switzerland AG, 2019.
  74. ↑ Ng, Huiwen. “Socialite drops protection order bid”. The Straits Times. January 19, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
  75. ↑ The Straits Times. “Her business partner posted a photo of a wreath she received on her”. Facebook. January 18, 2017. Accessed on 3 February 2020.
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