Wong Li Lin is a Singapore icon and businesswoman. She was a former actress and host.
Early life
Li-Lin is the youngest in a family of 4 siblings. She has 3 elder brothers. She was educated at Haig Girls’ School and Temasek Secondary School. She started ballet by chance at age 9 and started teaching at the age of 13 to supplement her fees. Li-Lin was awarded a scholarship to the Royal Ballet School in London, where she was appointed Head Girl. In Singapore she pioneered Pilates, training many trainers who subsequently started their own studios. She continued teaching prolifically and founded several dance projects. She taught at Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts and founded several dance centres. It was while teaching at Singapore's television station that she was discovered and started a career in the media. Li-Lin remains an icon to this day for her portrayal as Inspector Elaine Tay in Triple Nine. She is a versatile bilingual actress and host. She is particularly admired for her intelligence, forthrightness and clarity of thought. Li-Lin took time away from showbiz when she was awarded a second scholarship for her Master's degree in Anthropology at University of Surrey. She wrote her dissertation on Falun Gong as it combined her interests in movement, spirituality and her heritage as a Chinese diaspora. Li-Lin graduated in 2001.
Professional background
Wong Li-Lin made her television debut in 1994, and has acted in dramas such as Masters of the Sea and Rising Expectations . She became a household name for her lead role as Inspector Elaine Tay in Mediacorp Channel 5 cop drama Triple Nine from 1995 to 1997. After a brief hiatus from acting in 1999, she returned in 2001 and started acting frequently in Mediacorp Channel 8 dramas such as Love Me, Love Me Not , The Challenge and The Reunion . She was also one of the four judges of the reality TV series"The Dance Floor". In 2008, Li-Lin starred in the Singapore romance film The Leap Years alongside Ananda Everingham, and was nominated for Best Performer in the Singapore Film Awards 2009. The movie was directed by Jean Yeo. She has also starred in several European movies and telemovies such as Love Under the Sign of the Dragon, The Tiger Team, Love in the Lion City and The Patriarch. Li-Lin is one of the fewmedia personalities who have transitioned successfully to consultancy and corporate work. She has held leadership roles across multiple sectors and served organisations such as Parkway Pantai, Thomson Medical and the National Environment Agency. She is most recently Chief Operating Officer at a real estate and F&B firm. Li-Lin is interviewed and quoted frequently in the media. She contributes to publications on a wide range of topics - from entrepreneurship, wellness to parenting. Her articles are frequently circulated and she is regularly invited as keynote speaker and moderator at leadership events. She is also a performance coach for individuals and family offices.
