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SINGAPORE – Deejay Sonia Chew has been barred from hosting Mediacorp’s annual countdown program amid investigations into whether Covid-19 safe distancing regulations were violated at a birthday party for actor Jeffrey Xu.
The 29-year-old 987FM host, who attended the party, was supposed to host the Celebrate 2021 countdown show with DJ Joakim Gomez, but has been replaced by fellow DJ Jean Danker.
Local broadcaster Mediacorp said in a statement to The Straits Times: “We take this matter seriously, and constantly inform and remind our artists to adhere to safe management guidelines at all times. We are also fully cooperating with the authorities in their investigations. “
“Meanwhile, Jean Danker will be hosting Let’s Celebrate 2021 with Joakim Gomez.”
Chew was one of several artists seen in a photo taken on Xu’s 32nd birthday, which Xu uploaded to her Instagram Stories on October 3.
It showed 13 people at the celebration, in what appeared to be a private residence, with Xu holding a cake. Celebrities seen in the picture include Xu, Chew, actors Terence Cao, Shane Pow, Jeremy Chan, and actress Julie Tan. No one wore a mask.
Earlier this month, a reader alerted the Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News about the image. Mediacorp – which runs Xu, Chew, Pow and Cao – subsequently issued a statement, confirming that the photo was taken in October and adding that its artists apologize for their mistakes.
At that time, only a maximum of up to five could meet outside the home and each home was limited to five visitors at a time.
The National Development Ministry (MND) said it had been alerted to the incident and that investigations are ongoing.
Since then, all the stars seen in the picture have also apologized on their personal social media accounts. Tan, who is run by actor Li Nanxing’s talent agency, was the first to do so on Thursday.
The rest, who had previously been silent about the scandal on their social media accounts, apologized on Saturday.
Chew explained in his post: “I was invited for drinks with what I understood to be a small group of people and I didn’t know it was a birthday celebration.”
He clarified that he was not making excuses and emphasized that he did not withdraw from the meeting when he saw more than five people in the place.
She said it had been a difficult time for her family to see her “distraught” by the incident.
She added: “It is not in my nature to cause trouble or participate in activities that put people at risk. It was a severe mistake on my part in this case and from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry.”
Similarly, Pow, 29, wrote: “I am deeply sorry for my actions and for putting the health and well-being of the people around me at risk by disobeying safety measures. I will do better, be better, and I’ll put you in a better situation. ” standard than me. “
Cao, Xu, and Chan also apologized and took responsibility for not setting a good example as public figures.
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