Jacqueline had wanted to make a public apology but was prohibited by TVB.
“I remember a day before the [scandal broke], I asked the company if we should hold a press conference to issue an apology, but they were afraid of public backlash and inquiries, so they advised against it for the time being,” she said.
There was a moment of impulsiveness when she wanted to go downstairs to meet the press and apologise, but was stopped by her friend.
While she later issued a brief statement through her manager, apologising to her family, TVB, and then-boyfriend, actor Kenneth Ma, many felt Jacqueline owed Sammi an apology.
“Later, there were various news reports [about the scandal] and the company decided not to hold a press conference. I couldn’t do it alone, so I left Hong Kong,” she explained.
Jacqueline fled to the United States to avoid public backlash, and only returned to Hong Kong after eight months.
Photos: HK01