Sonia Chew
Sonia Chew is a Singaporean radio presenter and host. As of August 2019, she hosts ‘The Shock Circuit’ on 987FM with Joakim Gomez. Sonia started her radio career in 2012 when she won the 987 Radio Star competition during which Rosalyn Lee was her mentor.[1] In 2019, she opened a restaurant called IZY FOOK.[2] As of August 2019, Sonia is the brand ambassador for PUMA[3] and a friend of the watch brand TAG Heuer.
Background
Before her career as a radio presenter, Sonia worked at CNBC where she reported on financial news.[4] During her university years, she took part in the 987 Radio Star competition.[5] Sonia won the competition and secured an on-air DJ contract with 987FM.[6] Sonia completed her university education at Chapman University despite the pressures of juggling a part-time radio gig and her final year of studies.[7]
As of August 2019, Sonia is dating investment banker Jeremy Sng, who she met on a cruise during a hosting gig in 2018. Sonia drew attention and criticism from netizens on forums like Hardwarezone when she first revealed that her partner is 13 years older than her.[8] In an interview with 8 Days, she openly shared about her relationship stating that she had made the first move. She expressed that their age difference was not a problem due to their similar stages of maturity.[9]
Personal advocacy
Sonia Chew has championed several social causes. In 2018, she was part of the Samaritans of Singapore’s (SOS) #ThroughTheNight social media campaign. The campaign was run alongside Suicide Prevention Week. As part of the campaign, Sonia publicly revealed that she once faced anxiety and paranoia which had led to insomnia.[10] Sonia joined several local personalities for the #LifeBeyondGrades campaign in 2018. The Instagram campaign reminds students and parents that future success is not solely determined by grades on a report card.[11]
Career highlights
Radio (2012 - Present day)
Sonia joined 987FM as a contracted on-air DJ after winning the 987 Radio Star 2012 competition. As of August 2019, she co-hosts 'The Shock Circuit' from 4 PM to 8 PM with Joakim Gomez. Before 'The Shock Circuit', Sonia hosted a weekday morning show called ‘The Bright-Side’ from 6 AM to 10 AM.[12]
IZY FOOK (2019)
Sonia started up the restaurant-bar together with the owners of the stall 'Roast Paradise', a roast meat stall at Old Airport Road Food Centre. The partnership was driven by an aim to protect Singapore's hawker culture while creating a "cool new hangout spot".[13] IZY FOOK is modelled after a Japanese Izakaya. Among traditional bar bites, Singaporean hawker dishes such as Prawn Mee Pok and Salted Egg Chicken Wings are also served on sharing plates.[14] IZY FOOK is Sonia's first venture into the food and beverage industry in Singapore.[15]
Hosting (Television and web series)
Sonia was the host of the Toggle travel series 'Travel SSBD' (Same Same But Different) where she was sent to Asian countries without an itinerary beforehand.[16] The show debuted on 26 August 2015. The 14-part series won a bronze medal in the online entertainment category for the 2017 New York Festivals TV and Film Awards.[17] Apart from the award winning series, Sonia has hosted a variety of television programmes and web shows since 2013.
Year | Company | Character / Role | Television Programme |
---|---|---|---|
2018 | Channel 5 | Host | National Science Challenge 2018[18] & 2017 |
Toggle Video | Host | TravelSSBD Special Edition[19] | |
Channel 5 | Host | In My Backyard[20] | |
Toggle Originals | Cast (Penny Wee) | Trendsetters[21] | |
2017 | Toggle | Host | TravelSSBD Deluxe[22] |
2016 | Toggle | Cast member | TGI...WTF (Thank God It’s...Wed, Thu, Fri)[23] |
Toggle | Host | Travel Bravely[24] | |
Okto | Host | Get Active SG[25] | |
Toggle Originals | Cast - Mandy Ng | A Selfie’s Tale | |
2015 | Channel 5 | Celebrity guest on Episode 12 | Body And Soul S3 |
Toggle | Host | Travel SSBD (Same Same, But Different) | |
2013 | Toggle | Host | 8 Days Shirtless Guy Search 2013 |
Hosting (Events)[26]
Year | Event | Company |
---|---|---|
2018 | Let’s Celebrate 2019 | Mediacorp[27] |
Fenty Beauty’s first anniversary at Sephora | Sephora[28] | |
Montblanc’s 1858 collection launch event | Montblanc[29] | |
MAC X SONIA Makeup Party | Mac cosmetics[30] | |
WestGate Sephora opening | Sephora[31] | |
2017 | Standard Chartered Marathon | Standard Chartered[32] |
2016 | Mediacorp New Campus Opening Red Carpet | Mediacorp |
Ion Orchard Mac cosmetics store opening | Mac Cosmetics[33] | |
2015 | 2016 Countdown | Mediacorp |
Clarisonic Launch at Sephora | Sephora | |
Benefit It’s Real launch event at Red Dot Museum | Benefit Cosmetics | |
Puma Night Run 2015 | Puma | |
3CE launch event at Sephora featuring Park Sora | Sephora | |
Too Faced Lip Mafia event at Sephora featuring PearyPie | Sephora | |
Guess Girl Model Search 2015 | Guess | |
FURLA store opening at Marina Bay Sands | FURLA | |
Heineken Cities Festival 2015 | Heineken | |
National University Rag and Flag Day 2015 | National University Singapore | |
Skechers x Sistar launch event at Ion Orchard | Skechers | |
Sloggi Undercover Summer Pop Up Events at Robinsons Orchard | Sloggi | |
Adidas x Sole Superior launch event at Zouk Singapore | Adidas x Sole Superior | |
KPMG Halloween Bash 2015 at Zouk Singapore | KPMG Singapore | |
Timberland’s 42nd Anniversary Event 2015 | Timberland | |
2014 | Watson’s Media Product Launch 2014 | Watson |
Sephora Beauty Night Out 2014 | Sephora | |
Poh Heng Hello Kitty Collection Launch | Poh Heng | |
AAPE Streetball Jam 2014 | AAPE | |
Disney Tsum Tsum Collection Launch by I.T Singapore | I.T Singapore | |
Maison Martin Margiela (MM6) Collection Launch | MM6 Maison Margiela | |
Localicious Roadshows | MediacorpChannel 5 | |
2013 | Celio's Consumer Event | Celio |
OCBC Cycle Singapore | OCBC | |
8 Days Eat launch Clarke Quay roadshow | 8 Days | |
2012 | Race Me to the Stars | Mediacorp |
Standard Chartered Marathon | Standard Chartered |
References / Citations
- ↑ Kee, Lynette. "Rosalyn Lee and Sonia Chew Tell Us How They Adapt and Cope Under Pressure". The New York Times Style Magazine: Singapore. July 12, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tsingapore.com/article/rosalyn-lee-and-sonia-chew-tell-us-how-they-adapt-and-cope-under-pressure-tag-heuer
- ↑ Yip Jieying. "987FM DJ Sonia Chew Opens Mod Singaporean Izakaya Selling Atas Mee Pok". TODAY. June 14, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/8days/eatanddrink/newsandopening/987fm-dj-sonia-chew-opens-mod-singaporean-izakaya-selling-atas-mee
- ↑ Amirul Shazzani. “Signed and sealed: Singaporean personality Sonia Chew is now part of the Puma family”. Straatosphere. January 17, 2019. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://straatosphere.com/sonia-chew-puma-brand-ambassador-singapore/
- ↑ “KOPI WITH SONIA CHEW”. Solidspace. September 10, 2016. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://solidspace.squarespace.com/blog-/2016/9/9/kopi-with-sonia-chew
- ↑ Tong, Elizabeth. “Beauty tips by 987FM DJ Sonia Chew”. Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore. March 16, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://sg.style.yahoo.com/beauty-tips-987fm-dj-sonia-chew-090744830.html
- ↑ "Chapman Singapore Senior Wins "Radio Star of the Year". Chapman University, Dodge College of Film and Media Arts. October 3, 2012. Accessed on 5 august 2019. Retrieved from: https://blogs.chapman.edu/dodge/2012/10/03/chapman-singapore-senior-wins-radio-star-of-the-year/
- ↑ Kee, Lynette. "Rosalyn Lee and Sonia Chew Tell Us How They Adapt and Cope Under Pressure". The New York Times Style Magazine: Singapore. July 12, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tsingapore.com/article/rosalyn-lee-and-sonia-chew-tell-us-how-they-adapt-and-cope-under-pressure-tag-heuer
- ↑ Kee, Lynette. "Rosalyn Lee and Sonia Chew Tell Us How They Adapt and Cope Under Pressure". The New York Times Style Magazine: Singapore. July 12, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tsingapore.com/article/rosalyn-lee-and-sonia-chew-tell-us-how-they-adapt-and-cope-under-pressure-tag-heuer
- ↑ Tan, Celine. “Sonia Chew, 26, Is Dating A 40-Year-Old Investment Banker And They’re Making It Official Here”. 8 Days. August 19, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.8days.sg/sceneandheard/entertainment/sonia-chew-26-is-dating-a-40-year-old-investment-banker-and-they-10630648
- ↑ “Send an SOS via social media: #ThroughTheNight campaign to reach out to at-risk youth”. Today Online. September 11, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/send-sos-social-media-throughthenight-campaign-reach-out-risk-youths
- ↑ Tan, Celine. “Would You Share Your PSLE Score On Social Media? These Celebs Did”. Today Online. September 15, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/8days/sceneandheard/celebrities/would-you-share-your-psle-score-social-media-these-celebs-did
- ↑ 987FM. Facebook. February 25, 2015. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/987fm/photos/a.10150633551112029/10152740980372029/?type=1&theater
- ↑ Lim, Chantelle. "Singaporean Izakaya IZY FOOK (一起福) Takes Food To A Whole New Experience". STYLEGUIDE. June 20, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://styleguide.sg/article/singaporean-izakaya-izy-fook-takes-food-to-a-whole-new-experience
- ↑ Yip Jieying. "987FM DJ Sonia Chew Opens Mod Singaporean Izakaya Selling Atas Mee Pok". TODAY. June 14, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/8days/eatanddrink/newsandopening/987fm-dj-sonia-chew-opens-mod-singaporean-izakaya-selling-atas-mee
- ↑ Lim, Chantelle. "Singaporean Izakaya IZY FOOK (一起福) Takes Food To A Whole New Experience". STYLEGUIDE. June 20, 2019. Accessed on 5 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://styleguide.sg/article/singaporean-izakaya-izy-fook-takes-food-to-a-whole-new-experience
- ↑ “Travel SSBD”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://lifestyle.toggle.sg/en/lifestyle/travel/travel-ssbd
- ↑ "Mediacorp bags 12 awards at New York Festivals Awards". Channel News Asia. May 3, 2017. Accessed on 6 August 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mediacorp-bags-12-awards-at-new-york-festivals-awards-8814684
- ↑ “National Science Challenge 2018”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/shows/national-science-challenge-2018/info
- ↑ “Travel SSBD Special Edition Episode 1”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://video.toggle.sg/en/series/travelssbd-special-edition/ep1/605951
- ↑ “In My Backyard”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/shows/in-my-backyard/info
- ↑ “Trendsetters”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/shows/trendsetters-tif
- ↑ “Travel SSBD deluxe”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/tv/shows/travelssbd-deluxe/info
- ↑ “TGI...WTF (Thank God It’s...Wed, Thu, Fri”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/tv/shows/tgi-wtf-thank-god-it-s-wed-thur-fri/info
- ↑ “Travel SSBD Travel Bravely”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://lifestyle.toggle.sg/en/travel/travel-ssbd/travel-bravely
- ↑ “Get Active Singapore”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://tv.toggle.sg/en/shows/get-active-sg/info
- ↑ “Sonia Chew”. Toggle. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://celebs.toggle.sg/en/celebs/the-celebrities/female/sonia-chew-6145870
- ↑ “Marina Bay Singapore Countdown 2019 - Let’s Celebrate 2019”. Eventfinda. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.eventfinda.sg/2018/marina-bay-singapore-countdown-2019-letrs-celebrate-2019/singapore/marina-bay
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “Chillin with my boo…”. Facebook. October 1, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/photos/a.601754083199187/2275997685774810/?type=3&theater
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “Had a killaaaa time…”. Facebook. June 25, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/photos/pcb.2089933957714518/2089933821047865/?type=3&theater
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “What an incredible turn out…”. Facebook. May 21, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/videos/2035953079779273/
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “I always have the most..”. Facebook. January 30, 2018. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/photos/pcb.1882415711799678/1882415165133066/?type=3&theater
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “When else would you get…”. Facebook. December 3, 2017. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/photos/a.601754083199187/1805889682785615/?type=3&theater
- ↑ Chew, Sonia. “INSANE crowd at #MACIon’s…”. Facebook. December 16, 2016. Accessed on 8 May 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.facebook.com/SoniaChew987/videos/1303271939714061/