SINGAPORE – A lot of ingredients go into making a great interview, such as the venue, the mood of the person being interviewed, sometimes even the weather. And contrary to what many people think, we don’t really like to ask celebrities intrusive questions about their personal lives. Frankly, it is uncomfortable for everyone involved, and really none of our business.

But when you’re talking to a roomful of interviewers, anything can happen. Like in the case of Taiwanese singer Van Ness Wu. Best known for being a member of pop group F4, he had engaged in a high-profile spat with his Singaporean wife Arissa Cheo on social media – just weeks prior before popping over to Singapore to promote the competition show, Asia’s Got Talent. (Wu is one of four judges, alongside veteran Canadian songwriter-producer David Foster, Indonesian-French singer-songwriter Anggun and former Spice Girl Melanie C.)

Things got slightly awkward, when the Taiwanese-American pop idol resolutely declined to answer any questions about his wife or plans to stay in Singapore during an interview with a dozen journalists from the region at a preview of Asia’s Got Talent yesterday (Jan 27). Here’s how it went down:

Q: Now that you’re in Singapore, will you be spending more time with your wife?

A: Please don’t ask personal questions, thank you.

(Long, painful pause)

Q: So, the other judges on the show say you’re the nicest judge. Why did you decide to play the good judge?

A: I don’t think it was something we all decided, I think it just happened organically. Everybody’s just kind of being themselves, and then it slowly just kind of came out. I’m not saying they are not nice. (Laughs) I am just saying that I guess for me personally I was able to relate to each contestant when they came out, or I guess certain contestants, because I can see the hard work that they’ve put in. With my dancing background, I am able to empathise with them, and the hard work that they’ve put in. And I thought I would be more helpful if I were more encouraging, because at the end of the day, it’s a family show. We’re not here to make people feel defeated. That’s not what we want to do. But of course we do need some of that sometimes. Critique is technical but it’s not meant to be critical. Some are more straightforward than others.

Q: What do you look out for in a performer?

A: At the end of the day for me, it’s whether they are really enjoying themselves, and if they are entertained. We are very lucky that it’s done with a live audience, so right away we are able to see their reaction to them and whether or not they like it.

Q: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt as a judge?

A: The biggest lesson I have learnt is … there are a lot of great talents in Asia, and they come in all shapes and sizes, all ages. Talent, passion, hard work just becomes this thing that people want to watch and are drawn by. It’s been a really good experience.

Q: Singapore is like second home to you. Did you bring the judges anywhere or recommend places for them to visit?

A: We actually shot (the first stages of the show) in Malaysia, in Johor Baru, so that’s where we stayed. We just stayed in the hotel. And there wasn’t a lot of time, we’ve just been doing a lot of auditioning – the audition goes from 9am and we finish at 10pm sometimes, so we have quite long hours.

Q: Will you be spending more time in Singapore?

A: Hmm … I will … actually I … how do I respond to this? (Someone on Wu’s team helps by saying, “he hasn’t decided yet.”) I haven’t decided yet. But not really either. I can only say … no comment!

Q: Why don’t you want to give a statement about your marriage once and for all?

A: Because this is a private matter, and, like I said before, I would prefer not to discuss private matters at events like these. Because it’s not appropriate and I don’t have to talk about things like that. I hope the focus can be placed on my work.

Q: Do you have advice for some of the competitors on the show, on how to respond to questions about their personal life?

A: I would say to just live each day to the fullest, to do your work properly and to enjoy your work. It’s very important. Because if they do well, it might be easy to forget why they worked so hard in the first place, to learn how to dance and sing or do somersaults.

Q: David Foster called you a beautiful person. He said you were almost perfect.

A: Did he? Gosh! He’s actually … he’s so cool, I mean, he’s so cool. When I heard he was going to be a judge I was really happy. I hoped we would have great chemistry. After I got to know him I realised he’s really laid-back. He has a great sense of humour and he can do magic. He’s very lively and very young. Very, very nice.

Q: What did you do together after work?

A: We wrapped pretty late, so occasionally we would have a drink or two upstairs and chat. But not for too long, because we would have to start really early the next day.

Q: How long will you be in Singapore this time? Just a day?

A: Yes.

Q: How do you feel about being back in Singapore?

A: I love Singapore.

Q: What do you think of your own performance in the entertainment industry in the last few years?

A: I don’t know, I haven’t really been looking at my own performance very seriously. I am just enjoying every day at work, to have the opportunity to release an album, to collaborate with different people on films or music projects. As for my results … you’d have to ask my company. They calculate that a lot better than I do!

Q: Do you just leave it to fate then?

A: I believe life will have its ups and downs.

Q: Why did you accept this gig?

A: I would never admit it in front of him, but it’s David Foster. At first, because I had other movies coming in, we couldn’t quite fit it into my schedule. But I said that if David Foster agreed to be a judge on the show, then I would definitely agree to be on it too.

Q: How do you decide when to say no to a contestant?

A: When I decide to say no, I usually give some encouragement. Because like I said it’s a family show, it’s not a show that wants you to go home after and feel useless. But I want to encourage them, because I was also once a contestant on talent competitions. To be a judge, to encourage someone, to remind them that it’s not the final hurdle, but merely a pit stop. When people cry, it’s like oh my gosh…It’s like, sorry! I encourage them to keep trying, and to come back again. I feel sad for them and we exchange looks. But that’s how the show works.

Q: They say you are the nicest judge on the show. Is that who you are in general or is that somebody that you …

A: Pretend to be? (All laugh) The great thing I really enjoy about the show, it’s not really like we are this type of judge, or this type of judge. We all have our moments where we are critical. I won’t say mean, but just being technical on certain things and what we view we need to say. And David is more vocal and more stern when he says certain things, and so is Anggun. Even Melanie. I mean the calibre of their experience in the industry is amazing, is massive. So for me it’s just I am just trying to enjoy that moment and really not to try and make anybody go home and want to drown their sorrows. And the producers come up to us and say, just have fun, be yourself. And they tell that to everybody – be yourself, have fun. Melanie, she goes on stage and does stuff that I was like wow, I would not do that! But she’s just having fun. At the end of the day that’s what the show is about, it’s a family show. And what I think is really exciting is this is the first time I’ve actually done a full show where I am speaking in English. I feel more comfortable when I am speaking in English. It allows me to be more comfortable when I am expressing myself.

Q: Outside of the show, in terms of relationships with your family, are you also Mr. Nice Guy?

A: I am not perfect, but I am just … I am who I am.

Q: If you weren’t an artiste, would you join the competition? Do you think you would have a shot at winning?

A: I probably would join the competition. I probably wouldn’t do it myself, I’d go with my dance troupe. I don’t know if I would win because the talent is crazy out there right now. I probably wouldn’t win the first time. I’d go back the second or third time.

Q: Have you seen anyone who’s so good you want to sign him or her as an artiste?

A: Yes. But I haven’t had the opportunity to speak to them about it. And I don’t know if they have their own contracts with this show.

Q: How do you balance between your work and your personal life?

A: You really just take time. Tell the company that I need a break, and they’ll give me my break. Because I’m not going to be able to work if I don’t have my break. I’m being a diva right there. (Laughs)

Q: Are you going to go on a break soon?

A: Well Chinese New Year is coming up, so yeah. But even with Chinese New Year, right now I’m just focusing on my album. It’ll be exciting, I am very excited about it, working with the producers.

Q: How do you handle the rumours and talk that has been going on about you?

A: To be honest I don’t really read what other people write about me in the newspapers. Because sometimes my words are twisted. And whether it’s positive or negative, it’ll affect me. So I’d rather just concentrate on my work.

Q: The other judges are flying off later today. Are you also flying back to Taiwan?

A: I’m still working on the plan.

Asia’s Got Talent will premiere first on AXN on March 12, 2015, airing on Thursdays at 8.05pm in Singapore.