Abigail Chay: The Heart‑Bending Story of Singapore’s Viral Comedienne
Every time the Viral Video Stars crew goes on a field trip to sniff out the next big internet sensation, the question pops up: “What’s life like when the world suddenly votes you a celebrity?” A week back, we had the chance to sit down with 61‑year‑old Abigail Chay—long‑running icon, beloved mascot, and, let’s be honest, one of the sweetest people you’ll ever meet.
Who Is Abigail?
- Notable TV Works: From the 1995 sitcom Under One Roof to the 2000s comedy Maggi And Me, she’s made audiences laugh for decades.
- Real‑World Hero: Apart from her screen fame, Abigail started a movement in 2012 that staged a musical in Hong Kong titled I Am What I Am.
- Family Legacy: Her late mother was the famous “McDonald’s granny” from that old TV ad, giving her a touch of classic media charm.
From Stage to Community
Before the pandemic, Abigail juggled part‑time gigs, taught acting at community clubs, and offered support in special interest groups:
- Talent Artiste Pool: She and other instructors shared insider knowledge with budding talent seekers.
- Scriptless Drama: An age‑friendly drama club where participants improvise instead of memorizing scripts—an ingenious way to keep senior minds sharp.
The Pandemic’s Pinch
Like many artists, her workplace evaporated when COVID hit Singapore. Instead, she leaned on government grants—though she’s got a good laugh about how her friends keep borrowing them:
“Still get people wanting to borrow my government grants. So sad.”
Soft‑Hearted Generosity, or The “Unwise Helper” Saga?
Over the past few years, Abigail’s kindness has taken on a new twist:
- When she lost her father in June 2019, she dumped an interest‑free four‑figure sum into the wallets of friends who were struggling with debts and medicine costs.
- Within the week of the funeral, another friend, grappling with business woes, also received help from her.
- Over months, these loans swelled to a five‑figure mish‑grand.
- People assumed she had a secret stash from her dad’s condolence donations—which she actually didn’t.
Adding to the strain, after she started disbursing these funds, the community discovered she was running low on personal cash. Many friends stepped in, checking her phone for clues and revamping a “burial plan” just in case she ever left the soil.
Her Take: “I’m Just Happy Helping”
Despite the eye‑opening conversations and the overwhelming sense of responsibility, Abigail told us she’s still at peace:
“I find inner peace helping others with what I can spare. It keeps the cycle of kindness alive.”
She finished by smiling into the quiet of the night, counting “modest blessings from God” and feeling less lonelier than she might have been before.
Takeaway
Abigail Chay reminds us that fame isn’t a flat‑coin; it either empowers us to give or forces us to reflect on what we can bring to the table. And while we’re all characters on the life stage, Rs. 300, or Rs. 3,000, or even Rs. 30,000—in the end—doesn’t make or break the story. In the voice of a beloved comedienne, the simple answer is: Keep laughing and keep lending.
