Michelle Chen: I believe in love at first sight

Propelled to fame as Asia's favourite girl-next-door after starring in Taiwanese 2011 sleeper-hit 'You are the Apple of my Eye', Michelle Chen Yan Xi in person is so cutely likeable that it should be illegal.

Here in Singapore on Tuesday as French luxury jeweller Cartier's Asian ambassador, Chen stars in the final and fourth installment of "short films" commissioned by Cartier to bring to life a series of dream proposals, all, of course, featuring their blinding bling solitaires.

From her large, sparkling doe eyes to her twin dimples which appear every time she smiles or giggles (every few seconds) and the simple but girlish white bustier dress she wore with six-inch nude heels, the petite actress charmed members of the press with her coy, and at times, tongue-in-cheek answers.

The press conference starts off with Chen's self-deprecating admission that she had actually forgotten to bring her passport with her before flying to Singapore.

"I remember I had it in my hand, I thought I brought it, but apparently I didn't. I'm the only person silly enough to do this," she said with a chuckle.

Fluent in both Mandarin and English after attending college in the United States, Chen, 30, fended off sensitive questions like a pro.

When asked whether there was any real kissing in the Cartier short film between herself and her hunky British-French co-star Oliver Jackson Cohen after their very romantic proposal, Chen shot back with a coy "I don't remember, it was too romantic, I was just too in the moment!"

"It was a proposal and we play a couple who are very in love with each other and I think it's just normal that... the things you do, when..." before she trails off with an embarrassed laugh.

"I think the main message of my film is to tell people that love has no boundaries, it can cross the language and culture, the distance and the time," she finished.

We're not sure if Shen Jia Yi, the goody-two-shoes and very proper girl she plays in Apple of my Eye, would approve, but her humour is certainly refreshing.

And the burning question -- is Chen single? She does not answer the question directly, but from the wistful way she talks about love, we're guessing no.

"I always believe in never say never, anything is possible in life especially in love," mused the porcelain-skinned beauty.

What about dating a Singaporean guy, asked the host of the conference, describing them as "hot and sunny" like the weather.

Chen responded by abruptly falling off the stool she was sitting on -- maybe Singaporean men are too hot for her to handle?

Still on her ideal romance, Chen shared that she believes in both love at first sight as well as love that has been developed over time.

"Love has all different kinds of forms and it doesn't have to be any certain form as long as it's true love," said Chen, who remains very optimistic about finding The One soon.

And if one lucky guy makes it as far as dating her and winning her heart, will he have to whisk her away to Paris and slip a giant sparkling ring on her finger to get her to say "yes"?

"I believe that if it's someone I love who is proposing to me, then the place, the time doesn't matter, any where in the world, I would find it very, very romantic," was Chen's wistful reply.

"But, he has to have a ring. It has to be Cartier. If you don't have a Cartier don't ask me, don't even bother!" she joked, collapsing in another round of her signature giggles.

Male fans can start by taking hints from her movies -- Chen said that every role she plays affects her outlook on love.

"For example, in Apple of my Eye, I felt that you should not wait if it's true love, if you love them truly, quickly get together. Every film, the good or the bad, I learn," she said.

"Love is a very important part of my life. However, I have to very honestly say that at this point in my life, my work is off bigger importance, I still have many dreams I've yet to achieve. I hope that when I meet the right person, I hope that I can strike the right balance."

Besides her movies, the hundreds of Prince Charming wannabes can also, come May, get to know her better through her first music album.

Chen describes her upcoming album as her "dream" project that she has been working on since 2008.

"I try to be as honest as possible when I'm writing. It's all about me, it's all about my stories."

So far, her only only requirement for a potential husband is a "good heart".

"My requirements are not much, treat me well and treat my family well. I feel that any good-hearted young man would fulfill my requirements."

"Apple of my Eye" fans dreaming of a reunion between Chen and her male co-star Ko Chen Tung will be heartened to hear that she's open to working with him again.

"I hope to work with Chen Tung again, maybe after a period of time when we have grown and developed. The Apple couple has made a deep impression in my heart and the hearts of the audience. Hopefully, when we work together again we can bring a different kind of love," said Chen.

In the meantime, Chen has another (on-screen) leading man in mind -- Hong Kong super star Andy Lau.

"I'd love to work with Andy Lau, please tell him for me! He's been my idol since I was really young and I just think he's very charming actor, he works really hard and he's, well, I don't know anyone else like him and I really respect that about him," she gushed.

Watch that steamy kiss everyone's talking about in Cartier's Destinee short film below:

Related links:
Photos: Slideshow of Michelle Chen in Singapore
Michelle Chen likes Donnie Yen