The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

Posted: 05 Jul 2011 04:39 PM PDT

Joey Yung is the epitome of grace and beauty, with talent to boot.

HONG Kong Cantopop singer Joey Yung was in Kuala Lumpur last month to ink a contract as the ambassador for collagen drink NH Colla Plus. Lending further credence to the event was the presence of Health Minister Datuk Seri Liow Tiong Lai.

The highest-earning Cantopop songbird was a picture of poise. At 177cm and 53kg, she had the assured coolness that came from a body of great physique and established adulation all around.

She demonstrated the same grace in her affable answers to probing questions by journalists.

"How much are you paid for being the ambassador?" an inquisitive reporter piped up. "We're not too sure as the contract isn't signed yet," she said, brushing it off casually with a laugh. "But I'm excited to get free supply of NH Colla Plus throughout my contract."

Speaking blithely in Hong Kong Cantonese, the friendliness and absence of diva-ness encouraged the Q&A session. Hands shot up across the room, eager to connect with the fresh-faced songstress.

"Every woman is proud to be an ambassador for a brand," she said on being named the face of a beauty product. "Beauty is a big part of my life, I enjoy beauty very much and I like sharing tips with people."

Yung's saleable face isn't new, her portfolio of advertising includes being appointed spokesperson for Red Cross Movement, Netvigator (Internet service provider) and camera brand Nikon.

Up close, Yung's large almond eyes and porcelain-perfect skin communicate universal beauty. The most common comment overheard that day was about her flawless skin. Not a pore was in sight, no imperfection showed and it was, without exaggeration, that Yung, 31, had perfect skin.

Unlike her Hong Kong peers, Yung's guileless looks seem to define an international appeal.

Currently, like many Hong Kong stars who are struggling to maintain star power having to compete with fiercely popular K-pop and Taiwan stars, Yung intends on remaining relevant. Her first foray into the Taiwan market was in 2001 when her Mandarin album, Honestly, received good reviews.

The shift today is very different. Taiwanese heavyweights like Jolin Tsai, Elva Hsiao and Luo Zhi Xiang have placed great emphasis on energetic dance routines.

Yung has made no secret that the Mandarin market is her next stop. It was rumoured that Yung went to New York in recent years to brush up on her dancing skills. In 2008, the StarLight concert in Hong Kong showed off her fancy footwork that won praises.

She maintains her dance agility by dancing every day with her mum at home. "It keeps me slim," she said with a smile, adding that she is enthusiastic about showing off her dance skills.

Breaking into a new market is never easy but Yung is optimistic that the ocean is big enough for different performers.

"Every country has good singers and this makes the entertainment business very healthy. The China market is huge and any entertainer can enter this market as long as they have different talents to showcase to the public," opined Yung. "Competition is very intense and entertainers have to perform to their very best. This makes it great for the audience.

"I have heard of celebrities committing suicide in Korea due to immense pressure," said Yung on the demanding entertainment scene there. "It is the responsibility of every artiste to be disciplined about her lifestyle and maintain a healthy image. But there is no need to overdo it and stress oneself. Look at Hollywood stars. There is a carefree spirit there that is not apparent in Asian markets. Just be yourself. All of us have a stress threshold so we just have to be balanced about things and not get carried away."

Not bad at all for a girl who started out helping her mother run a fashion boutique. The evolving entertainer saw success relatively early in her career when her first EP broke Hong Kong records being on the International Federation of the Phonographic Industry (IFPI) album chart for the most number of consecutive weeks. It sold 130,000 copies in Hong Kong alone.

In 2001, her first compilation album, Love Joey, was named Best Album of the Year. Buoyed by the success, she entered the Taiwan market with her first Mandarin album. It was also during that time when she was being described as "pudgy".

Shortly after that, Yung became the spokesperson of a slimming parlour and sheded her girl-next-door appeal. Yung emerged with a new sexy image and a hot new body.

By the end of 2003, she dominated all major music awards ceremonies, winning prestigious awards that included the Jade Solid Gold Most Popular Female Singer award and Best Female Singer Gold award at the CRHK Music Awards, becoming the youngest singer to ever win this award.

Yung's success continued in 2004 when she received the Media Award, given to singers who accumulate the most awards from the four music award ceremonies in Hong Kong.

She then went on to record many successful albums, hold concerts and act in various television series and movies. Her fan base is huge in Malaysia and Yung said she has many friends here. Fans have said that Yung gets better every year; her singing abilities improve and her beauty continues to evolve.

Maintaining one's image in the Asian entertainment industry is particularly tough where beauty standards are high. Yung, however, is fully aware that beauty is innately linked to one's well-being.

"To look good or to be beautiful, you have to be happy. I remember a few years back when I was going through a bad period. My skin suffered terribly. For me, I don't bother with gossip and I know that there will be people who like me and those who do not. As long as I do a good job, I'm happy and the rest, I leave to fate. I do my best to be happy everyday."

She looks up in particular to international superstar Beyonce and aspires to emulate the top star's qualities. "Beyonce is gorgeous and an amazing dancer. She is an all-rounder and has mad talent. When she performs, she is super confident. From what I observe, she is humble offstage and down-to-earth. I aspire and hope to be like that."

The likes of Lady Gaga, Rihanna and Katy Perry are pushing the envelope on overt sexuality these days. Over-the-top sex has become the norm among artistes today who hope to make an impact. Yung feels sex should not take centrestage.

"I don't mind being sexy, but sexy dressing should not be the main focus in a performance. Sexiness has to fit the performance. When I perform during concerts, I try to represent women well. I want to show girl power with confidence, strength and independence. Sexiness is secondary."

This has been an exciting year for her. Yung proudly performed at the Royal Albert Hall in London, making her the first female Chinese singer to perform there. She is now busy recording a new Mandarin album and preparing for her concert in Guangzhou, China, in August.

"Job satisfaction is everything to me," said Yung. "My talent is a gift from God and I work hard to improve my abilities. My career is an important part of my happiness."

On whether the dynamic entertainer desires anything else in life, she replied candidly: "Of course, being a girl, I want a partner and family, too. When a person is in love, every minute is filled with happiness."

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Kredit: www.thestar.com.my

Rabu, 6 Julai 2011

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

The Star Online: Entertainment: Music

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