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Cathay busker Jeff Ng apologises to ex-girlfriend, admits being ‘reckless’ in his 20s

Cathay busker and singer Jeff Ng, who went viral on TikTok for his performances, has apologised to an ex-partner for his transgressions during the relationship. (PHOTOS: jeffhellomusic/Instagram, Lena Ng/Facebook)
Ng said he has taken the time to reflect on his actions, as well as to take steps to become a better person over the past few years. He did not directly address the allegations made by Lena in his post. (PHOTOS: jeffhellomusic/Instagram, Lena Ng/Facebook)

SINGAPORE — Busker Jeff Ng, who went viral on TikTok for his performances outside the Cathay building, has apologised to an ex-partner for his transgressions during their relationship.

His apology, uploaded across multiple social media platforms under his moniker JeffHelloMusic, came just hours after Facebook user Lena Ng, who claimed to have dated the busker for almost three years, wrote at length about his controlling and "love bombing" behaviour on Friday (1 July).

The busker, 32, who has recently drawn large crowds during his performances, said, "I was young and reckless in my 20s, and I allowed my emotions to get the better of me. know this is not a reasonable excuse at all. I was wrong, and am sincerely sorry."

Ng said he has taken the time to reflect on his actions, as well as to take steps to become a better person over the past few years.

"To Lena, I am sincerely sorry for my behaviour. To my family, friends, and supporters I am sorry that I have let you down. I promise to continue to work hard at becoming a better person. Thank you for giving me a chance," he added.

Ng did not directly address the allegations made by Lena in his post. Yahoo Lifestyle Singapore has reached out to him for further comment.

Ex-girlfriend's claims

In her post containing multiple screenshots, Lena said that she had spent almost every day of three years living together "or should I say enslaved" with Ng, whom she alleged was "the worst person I have ever met".

"He’s cut me off from my friends, restricted my movements – he can go to friends’ gatherings but I cannot, he always finds a reason that I’ve done something wrong. He cut me off from people who posed a threat to him, i.e., everyone who could see through him, by saying bad things about them and finding all sorts of reasons to ban me from hanging out with them.

"He forces you to block out people that he doesn’t like too," Lena added in her post, which has over 1,000 shares as of 5pm.

She noted that Ng will make his girlfriends kneel or prostrate in front of him if they said or did something he perceived as "wrong". "It can be anything from liking another singer’s post, following someone he doesn’t like, or simply not rubbing his ego the right way," she wrote.

In one attempt to get her back after the relationship ended, Lena claimed that Ng had called her 218 times, using "different numbers from strangers downstairs, coffeeshop uncle’s mobile, 7-11 cashier’s, his official workplace’s hotline".

She also alleged that Ng was a serial cheater, who cheated on her thrice, "like clockwork" every year "right in front of my face".

Lena said that she was inspired to share her side of the story after posts by musicians, clients, and fans detailing Ng's unprofessional behaviour surfaced online.

"He always talks shit about his own peers in the industry but says he himself is Jay Chou and JJ Lin’s level but he isn’t as lucky because he doesn’t have a 贵人 (benefactor in Mandarin)," according to Lena.

Alleged 'entitled attitude'

On Wednesday, singer Khim Ng wrote on Facebook about the busker's "entitled attitude" in the music performance industry.

"Talent is one thing, but work ethics, self-awareness, and attitude to anyone and everyone is everything to survive. If he succeeds as an artist, good for him," the former Sing! China and Campus Super Star contestant wrote in the post.

During Ng's sets at a number of establishments, he had scolded patrons for “making noise”, Khim alleged.

"Maybe the busking scene does suit him because it's not a bar setting and no one is intoxicated with alcohol to 'misbehave'. And he deserves that love received in the right setting he is comfortable in. Kudos to that," she added.

In another post on the same day by Facebook user Candy Mei Cui, who claimed to have been an administrator of Ng's fan club, said the busker would insist on customers at establishments clapping for him after his performance.

"If you don't do it, he will show his 'black face' and he will (show) his anger on his keyboard. After the performance, he will just stomp off," she wrote. "If he does not change, no pubs or cafes will hire him."

Ng was also unhappy with her, and her friends, for expressing support for other singers.

"When I ask him for the reason, he still can tell me if you (are) really supporting me, then stop supporting other singers. Your Instagram stories only can post my things," Candy added.

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