Ho Yeow Sun Singer-wife of a prominent pastor faces criticism over her high-profile celebrity lifestyle.

Singer-wife of a prominent pastor faces criticism over her high-profile celebrity lifestyle.

WHEN Singapore church leader Ho Yeow Sun decided to pursue a secular singing career in 2002, no one quite expected the move to prove so contentious down the years even though the career switch was not usual by any standard.

A music director and counsellor with the non-denominational City Harvest Church for a decade before she struck out for the music world, her fledgling pop career was acclaimed a success but took a turn towards controversy when the Singaporean media reported that the church was updating members on Ho’s career moves and offering her albums for sale.

Ho’s foray into entertainment has been controversial as she is not just a former church leader. Her husband is Reverend Kong Hee, City Harvest’s founding pastor and one of the keenest supporters of her pop music career.

Media interest in Ho over the years did not lessen as she has attracted adverse reactions over her daring dress sense as she attempted to break into the US music market after she had released five best-selling Mandarin albums.

Ho, or Sun Ho as she has fashioned herself in the States, faces criticisms that have largely pivoted on her status as a pastor’s wife as well as her intimate involvement with a church for more than a decade. Some have asked how she could be so liberal in her dressing when she is so steeped in religion.

When it emerged that she has been living in a S$28,000 (RM65,000)-a-month house with a swimming pool in Los Angeles while pursuing her American ambitions, critics asked if it was right for a former church leader and a pastor’s wife to be leading the high life.In Ho’s case, the question is really about whether it is appropriate for a pastor’s wife and a church leader to be a pop singer and a celebrity.

Her supporters have countered that there is nothing wrong with living the high life as she is a successful singer and celebrity, and suggested that Singaporeans should be proud of her accomplishments, which include having four singles reach the top of the Billboard charts since she began her American conquest in 2004.

They also point to her humanitarian work, which included donations towards the building of some schools in China as well as her trip to Haiti after the Jan 12 earthquake to perform relief work there. Proceeds from her album sales also go to charity.

It is clear that there is usually great tolerance when celebrities who practise a religion use their fame and influence in support of it.

Richard Gere, for instance, is a tireless supporter of Tibetan Buddhism and has been very vocal in his support for the Dalai Lama, even speaking out against China for what he views as the repression of Tibet.

His religious involvement has done no harm to his acting career. In fact, Gere’s fans as well as his fellow actors have been known to be influenced by his beliefs.

However, one of the crucial reasons it is all right for celebrities to be religious is that they are seen as moving towards the light, that is, many see it as a sign of their efforts to better themselves, especially as they are often engaged in humanitarian work through their religions.

After all, celebrities are closely associated with the leading of ostentatious, extravagant lifestyles with liberal and hedonistic tendencies. So religion is good for them.

There are also cases where religious figures such as Billy Graham, an American radio and television Christian evangelist, acquire celebrity status and even appear on entertainment programmes. But they are on the programmes to discuss moral and theological issues, so there is no disconnect between their religious and celebrity roles.

On the other hand, a pastor’s wife and former church leader who becomes a pop singer and a celebrity is seen as moving away from the light; that is, many would see it as a sign of a descent into a decadent life, despite the humanitarian work Ho continues to perform.

It really doesn’t help that Ho dresses sexily, makes music videos that raise temperatures, and seems to be revelling in the celebrity lifestyle. Or that she is living in a house where the monthly rental is the equivalent of some Singaporeans’ annual income.

To be fair, there have been celebrities who have led scandal-free lives and done their part for charity, but in general, the entertainment world is not known for being a place for the virtuous.

In this day and age, no one expects their religious leaders to be leading simple lives with no material wants and needs. Few would begrudge them a comfortable life. But for a religious leader, albeit a former one, to become, or to want to become, a celebrity of the Hollywood kind is deemed to have crossed the line.