GOSSIP GIRL
When Odette Henriette Jacqmin moved to Malaysia to be with her former boyfriend almost two years ago, gossipmongers had a feast. No longer around to defend herself, rumors about Odette that made the rounds bordered on the outrageous and absurd. But she’s back in town, single again, and adamant to set the record straight. As we sit down for lunch at Su Tha Ros, the upscale Thai restaurant of newly-opened Hotel Muse Bangkok – Odette flew in from Bali the previous night where she’d been on a short break with a bunch of friends – it’s evident that this is going to be a no-holdsbarred interview. “I want people to know me for who I really am,” Odette says as she digs into the Yum Som O Goong. “I am tired of all the gossip.” So she’s ready to answer any questions we have for her, openly and honestly.
TRUE OR FALSE
Rumor has it…
… that you’re a party girl; that you used drugs and had a booze problem.
Half true. [laughs] I enjoy going out, meeting people and having a social life. I like to have fun, but don’t enjoy getting wasted. I go to a lot of events, and upload these pictures on Facebook and Twitter. So maybe that’s why people think, “Oh my God she’s gone out again!” But socializing is part of my work – if I don’t go out people don’t see me. Drugs? I’ve heard that rumor since I was 18, and it’s not just about me. I think if you’re a celebrity the drug rumors come with the territory. Booze problem? Well, I’ll admit to drinking heavily when I was in Malaysia because I was homesick and miserable. I know that’s no excuse [to drink], but it’s the truth. Now that I’m back in Thailand I don’t have a reason to drink anymore. I didn’t have to go to rehab either. My hands don’t shake when I don’t have a drink.
… that you’re a diva and very difficult to work with.
That used to be true. When I started working I was always late; I was 18 and didn’t grasp the concept of ‘responsibility’. I just went with whatever mood I was in. If I felt like working I’d show up. If I didn’t, well, then I wouldn’t go. I got banned for a year from doing catwalk work in Thailand, but it wasn’t because I was partying too hard. I was a spoilt kid. But not anymore, I’m not 18 years old anymore. I’m 28 now. But I guess once you have a certain reputation it’s always going to stick with you – you can’t get rid of it so easily. I did those things when I was young, so I have to take responsibility for it.
… that you moved to Malaysia because nobody wanted to work with you here in Thailand.
False. I moved to Malaysia to be with my ex-boyfriend, who is based in Kuala Lumpur. We were going to get married, start a family. But it was a mistake – we jumped into the relationship too fast; plus, I thought I could live anywhere in the world.
… that you worked as a prostitute in Malaysia.
So false! I dropped down on the floor and cried when I heard that…It was so painful I thought I was going to die. The rumor started with an online column, and I don’t know who’s behind it. I have no clue what I’ve ever done to them to deserve this. They also claimed that I was pregnant, that I had an abortion, and that my ex boyfriend was a ‘fake rich person’ who ripped me off. It’s just horrible! I have never been pregnant. I love children and will never have an abortion if I discovered that I’m pregnant. I was never with my ex-boyfriend because he was rich. Another recent rumor is that I am HIV+. It’s just ridiculous!
… that you’re seeing Paradorn (Srichaphan) again.
False. It’s quite funny because I haven’t seen him since I’ve been back. We’re friends, and we will always be friends, but there’s zero chance of us ever getting back together.
… that you had a big fight with your former best friend and model Yo Yosawadee after borrowing 50,000 baht from her, and you said that you don’t consider Yo as a friend anymore
True and false. The story started six years ago when Yo and I used the same messenger. He would go around town running errands for us. One time he got me a simcard for my Blackberry. After I went to Malaysia I stopped using it, and totally forgot about it, which was my fault. They claim they couldn’t get hold of me while I was traveling [to pay the bill], so she ran to the press about it. But she could have contacted me through Facebook – there was no need to make such a big deal about it. Anyway, I’ve paid the money. I’m okay to work with her again and I respect her, but I wouldn’t say we are friends anymore.
… that you’re auditioning at the moment for a big role in a foreign movie production.
True. It’s an American film that will be shot here in Thailand. The role is playing the girlfriend of a Thai gangster, so I have to speak English very Thai-Thai, like “I love you long time.” The character is very loud and outspoken, which is easy for me because I’m quite bubbly. I only recently started acting and it’s quite fun.
THE INSIDE STORY
Why are people saying all these ugly things about you?
Honestly I have no idea. It’s really painful. I hope it will stop, because it’s killing me. My family and friends know it’s not true, but I worry about what people who don’t know me think. And yes, I do care what people think about me.
What did you do in Malaysia?
For the first year I did almost nothing, but then I got really bored. So I started working again; I did a few covers, a lot of catwalk work, photo shoots, and by the time I left Malaysia people started to recognize me. But I was miserable. I really missed Thailand. I missed home. My family, friends, my three dogs.
What has it been like to be back in Thailand?
My main priority has been to take care of my mom, who had a stroke and has been in hospital for the past three months since I’ve been back. She is like a two-year old baby; she cannot help herself, or even breathe by herself. When she gets better I will move on to the next step. [Subsequent to the interview with Odette, her mother passed away.]
What don’t people know about you? What are you really like?
I am very sincere and open. I don’t fake and I don’t lie. My family, my friends and my dogs mean the world to me. I’ve grown up. I’ve learned so much – the hard way. In Malaysia, I discovered a lot about myself; the direction I wanted to go with my life, that I wanted to be back in Thailand. The most important lesson I learned was not to jump into a relationship too fast. I’m seeing somebody at the moment, but we’re not dating officially yet. We’re going to take it slowly.
Odette’s career is managed by Angel & Bear Productions (www.angelandbearproductions.com).