Fann Wong

Infobox Chinese actor and singer
name = Fann Wong
tradchinesename = 范文芳
simpchinesename = 范文芳


imagesize =
caption = Fann Wong at the Asian Festival of First Films Gala Reception on November 25, 2005.
birthdate = birth date and age|1971|1|27
birthplace = Singapore
birthname = Fann Woon Fong
yearsactive = 1994 - present
partner = Christopher Lee (2002-)

Fann Woon Fong (zh-cp|c=范文芳|p=Fàn Wénfāng; born January 27, 1971), better known by her stage name Fann Wong,cite web | title = At Home With... Fann Wong | work = | publisher = Channel NewsAsia.com | date = | url = http://www.fannwong.org/videofiles/athomewith.WMV | accessdate = 2006-12-02] cite web | last = Kee | first = Hua Chee | title = "Fann-tastic reason" | publisher = The Star (Malaysia) Online | date = June 19, 2006 | url = http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2006/6/19/lifefocus/14516692&sec= | accessdate = 2006-12-02] is a Singaporean actress, singer and model.

At Singapore's Star Awards 1995, Fann became the first actress to win both the Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards in the same year. After gaining regional exposure and popularity in Asia through film and television productions, she became the first Singaporean actress to break into Hollywood, playing Chon Lin in the 2003 film "Shanghai Knights". She was also the youngest actress to have earned an All-Time Favourite Award at the Star Awards. In late 2002, Fann became romantically attached to Malaysian actor Christopher Lee, with whom she has collaborated eight times.cite news | title = The lovebirds come clean, finally; Fann Wong and Christopher Lee have their families' blessings, too | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2005-05-11 | accessdate = 2006-12-28] She is known to zealously safeguard her privacy.cite news | last = Tan | first = Hazel | title = A boyfriend? What's the big deal, Fann? | publisher = The New Paper | date = 1999-07-09 | accessdate = 2006-12-28]

Biography

Early days: Television career

Born in Singapore to Hakka middle-class tailor parents, Fann shared her childhood with three siblings - an older sister, as well as a younger brother and sister. She was educated at Temasek Secondary School, where she took her GCE 'O' Level examinations in 1987.cite web | title = "Chronology" | publisher = [http://www.fanwenfang.net Fann Matters] | url = http://www.fanwenfang.net/chronology.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-03]

At the age of sixteen, she won a beauty contest organised by "Her World", a Singapore fashion magazine. She started a successful modelling career in Singapore, and spent the next two years modelling part-time while taking her GCE 'A' Level examinations at a private school. She afterward earned a diploma in fashion merchandising from LASALLE-SIA College of the Arts.

Fann moved to Taiwan in 1993. One of her earliest successes was in an Oil of Ulan (now Oil of Olay) commercial aired in Taiwan and Singapore. The following year, a Singaporean television producer discovered her and cast her in "Dreams Come True", a Singapore drama series. Fann soon starred in two more Singapore television series, "The Challenger" and "Chronicle of Life".

After a year in the Singapore television industry, her role in "Chronicle of Life" won her Best Actress and Best Newcomer awards at Singapore's 1995 Star Awards.cite news | last = Tan | first = Shzr Ee | title = Fann Wong: I hope I will not be too drunk celebrating | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1995-07-08 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] In 1996, her role in "The Unbroken Cycle" won her first regional nomination at the Asian Television Awards.cite web | title = Fann Wong’s nominations | work = | publisher = fannaticfannclub.com | date = | url = http://www.fannaticfannclub.com/achievements/nominations.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] She continued to star in a large array of drama serials, including "A Romance in Shanghai" (produced in Shanghai), "Wild Orchids" (filmed in Sydney) and "Brave New World" (filmed in Amsterdam and Belgium).

In late 1996, Fann released in Singapore her first Mandarin pop album "Fanntasy", which contained a duet with Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.cite news | last = Chin | first = Soo Fang | title = Fann to pair up with two Taiwan kings? | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1996-11-28 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] The album was retitled "I Live Alone" and repackaged with two additional songs for the Taiwanese market and won 4 IFPI platinum sales awards in Taiwan, marking the start of Fann's regional success.cite news | last = Chin | first = Soo Fang | title = Fann: Now I'm going Oriental | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1997-08-18 | accessdate = 2006-12-27]

Late 90s: Rise of regional popularity

In mid-1998, the release of Fann's hit wuxia drama "Return of the Condor Heroes" along with her second album, "Shopping", further increased her exposure in Taiwan and China.cite news | last = Long | first = Susan | title = She helps Singapore Fann out; catalogue model rises to TV stardom and recording artiste | work = | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1998-10-11 | accessdate = 2006-12-27 (also see Susan Long) ] When Hong Kong director Derek Yee saw Fann's "Shopping" music video on Hong Kong's Channel V, he flew to Singapore to cast her as the lead actress in the Hong Kong art film "The Truth About Jane and Sam".cite web | last = Chen | first = Andy | title = Derek Yee | work = | publisher = 8 DAYS | date = 1999-07-10 | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/j&s/19990710_17b_js.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] The movie topped the Singapore box office for three weekscite news | title = Truth is out... Fann's film is tops | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1999-07-13 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] and her role as a gritty wild-child won her a Best New Performer nomination at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000.cite web | title = The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards | work = | publisher = Hong Kong Film Awards Association | date = 1999-07-10 | url = http://www.hkfaa.com/history/list_19.html | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] In addition, her role as a self-centred stockbroker in "Out to Win" attracted a million viewers in Singapore during its finale.cite web | last = Lau | first = Kuan Wei | title = Fanntom Matters; time to fann the flames of ardour for the glowing star who strikes back into the limelight with a new album and a debut movie | work = | publisher = 8 DAYS | date = 1999-06-26 | url = http://www.mediacorpraintree.com/j&s/19990619_26_js.htm | accessdate = 2006-12-28 ]

In 1999, Fann released her third album "Missing You", recorded "Private Number" with British boyband 911,cite news | last = Tee | first = Hun Ching | title = That one still no enough | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1999-06-11 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] and performed "Moments of Magic", Singapore's official millennium song.cite web | title = Moments of Magic MV | work = | publisher = Hype Records | date = | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tOuARJdOX2A | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] These musical successes resulted in her being the first Singapore artiste to stage a solo paying concert ("My Story" - Fann Wong In Concert) at the Singapore Indoor Stadium in 2000.cite web | last = Wong | first = Siew Ying | title = Star light, star bright, Fann shines, all right! | work = | publisher = MediaCorp Singapore | date = | url = http://www.mediacorpsingapore.com/001_celebs/2000/features/20000626_1.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] That same year, she released her fourth Mandarin album, "No Problem".cite web | title = No Problem CD | work = | publisher = YESASIA.com | date = | url = http://global.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/section-music/code-c/version-all/aid-299/pid-1000031521 | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ]

During the next few years, Fann focused on her acting career. She played a two-timing television reporter in the omnibus Hong Kong film "When I Fall in Love... With Both",cite web | title = When I Fall In Love…With Both | work = | publisher = Golden Harvest (Hong Kong) | date = | url = http://www.goldenharvest.com/fallinlove | accessdate = 2006-11-26] acted as a lovelorn insurance agent in the Singaporean romantic drama "Looking For Stars",cite web | title = Looking for Stars VCD | work = | publisher = YESASIA.com | date = | url = http://us.yesasia.com/en/PrdDept.aspx/section-videos/code-c/version-all/pid-1001833454 | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] as well as played the title character in the Taiwanese period drama "Madam White Snake".cite web | title = Madam White Snake | work = | publisher = MediaCorp Singapore | date = | url = http://www2.ch8.mediacorptv.com/programmes/local/madamwhitesnake/index.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26] She also began hosting travelogue shows, including "Travel Hunt: Japan" and "Fann Adventure", which was filmed in South Africa and Malaysia.cite web | title = Fann Adventure | work = | publisher = IMDB.com | date = | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0346260 | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ]

2003: Hollywood

In 2002, Fann became the first Singaporean actress to score a major role in a Hollywood production as Chon Lin in "Shanghai Knights". When the film was released in early 2003, Stephen Hunter of the "Washington Post" stated:

Fann is an enchanting new film presence. Clearly modelled after Zhang Ziyi of "Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon", she combines a dancer's grace with a fighter's speed, and looks great standing still or whirling.cite news | last = Oon | first = Clarissa | title = Fann gets raves; Described as enchanting in her Hollywood debut, Fann Wong is set to act in the sequel to Shanghai Knights | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2003-02-11 | accessdate = 2006-12-27]

"The Hollywood Reporter"'s David Hunter noted that Fann was "more than equal to playing the strong woman fighter who's also pretty darn cute", while John Keenan of the "Omaha World-Herald" stated that "Fann's stunt work is actually more memorable than Jackie Chan's here". In Hong Kong, the "South China Morning Post" stated that she "seems set to displace Lucy Liu as Hollywood's Asian babe du jour". She was subsequently nominated under the Best Fight category in MTV Movie Awards 2003,cite web | title = Awards for Shanghai Knights | work = | publisher = IMDB.com | date = | url = http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0300471/awards | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] and in 2004, won the Singapore Street Festival's Best International Artiste Award.cite web | title = Fann Wong’s awards | work = | publisher = fannaticfannclub.com | date = | url = http://www.fannaticfannclub.com/achievements/awards.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ]

2004

In 2004, Fann continued acting in China period dramas such as "Moon Fairy" and "My Fair Lady".cite news | last = Teo | first = Wendy | title = Gallen's so-so... but Fann makes her mark | publisher = The New Paper | date = 2005-01-12 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] She also starred in a Singapore serial on the SARS epidemic titled "Always On My Mind", which won her a Best Actress nomination at the 2004 Star Awards.cite web | title = Star Awards 2004 Nominations | work = | publisher = MediaCorp Singapore | date = | url = http://ch8.mediacorptv.com/starawards2004/results_01.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] In mid-2004, Fann was cast in the lead role in the German-Singapore telemovie, "House of Harmony".cite news | last = Hong | first = Xinyi | title = Fann goes back in time | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2004-07-23 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] In late 2004, Fann released her first publication, a semi-autobiographical comic book "Girl Illustrated".cite news | title = Fann fare; Fann Wong launches a comic book about herself to mark a decade of showbiz | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2004-12-02 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] After a musical hiatus of five years, she released her first compilation, "In Love With You".>cite web | title = The Recording Industry Association (Singapore) | work = | publisher = RIAS Committee | date = 2005-06-18 to 2005-07-01 | url = http://www.rias.org.sg/chart.html | accessdate = 2006-12-27 ]

2005 to Present

In April 2005, Fann was invited to the Cannes MIPTV Media Market where she promoted "House of Harmony" and discussed possible collaborations with European industry professionals.cite web | title = Singapore Programmes at International TV Trade Show | work = | publisher = Media Development Authority of Singapore | date = | url = http://www.mda.gov.sg/wms.www/thenewsdesk.aspx?sid=632 | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ] "House of Harmony" has since been telecast in Germany, Austria, France and Belgium to a combined prime-time viewership of over 80 million.cite news | title = Asian 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' to debut on Chinese TV | publisher = Shenzhen Daily | date = 2006-11-07 | accessdate = 2006-12-27] That same year, Fann took on a lead role in a Taiwanese art-house romance film, "Dragon Eye Congee", which was nominated for five categories at the inaugural Asian Festival of First Films.cite web | title = Asian Festival of First Films 2005 Nominations | work = | publisher = AFFF Committee | date = | url = http://www.asianfirstfilms.com/2005/nominations.htm | accessdate = 2006-11-26 ]

In August 2005, she made her voiceover debut in Singapore's first 3D animation film, "Zodiac, The Race Begins", which was released in early 2006.cite news | title = Ready, get cat, go; Fann Wong, the voice behind the cat and snake in Zodiac, almost lost her voice doing it | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2006-01-26 | accessdate = 2006-12-27]

In November 2006, Fann made her first promotional visit to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She performed at the Tonle Sap Water Festival Mega Concert and visited the Krousar Thmey blind school,cite news | title = Blind kids get a touch of glamour | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2006-11-04 | accessdate = 2006-12-21] where she donated cassette recorders and biscuits.cite news | title = Cambodian Fann-fare | publisher = 8 DAYS | date = 2006-12-14 | accessdate = 2006-12-21]

In early 2007, Fann signed a management contract with China's Huayi Brothers. Fann also became the first Singaporean artiste to release a self-illustrated 3G animation titled Fanntasy World.cite news | last = Ng | first = Sor Luan | title = Still a Fann of her man | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2007-01-30 | accessdate = 2007-05-13] The release of her Singapore film, "Just Follow Law", in which she had to play an uncouth and scruffy man in a woman's body, was a major attraction at the Chinese New Year box office and won her critical acclaim in the Singapore and Malaysian media.cite news | last = Teo | first = Wendy | title = I feel like a 'whore' | publisher = The New Paper | date = 2007-02-18 | accessdate = 2007-05-13] cite news | last = Tai | first = Elizabeth | title = Just follow Neo | publisher = The Star | date = 2007-03-25 | accessdate = 2007-05-13]

Personal life

Fann has been romantically involved with Malaysian actor Christopher Lee since late 2002,cite web | title = Fann throws him surprise party | work = | publisher = The New Paper | date = 2006-08-02 | url = http://board5.cgiworld.dreamwiz.com/view.cgi?id=ffc&now=2&jd=-1&ino=623&tmp_no=624 | accessdate = 2006-12-02] although the pair only admitted their relationship in mid-2005. She has had only one prior romance — an 11-year relationship with businessman Anthony Chan. [cite news | last = Seah | first = Lynn | title = Fann sticks to her guns | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 1999-07-06 | accessdate = 2006-12-28] cite news | last = Kwok | first = Yvonne | title = Are Fann and Christopher finally tying the knot? | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2005-02-25 | accessdate = 2006-12-13]

Fann and Lee have collaborated eight times in television productions, and have played lovers in six of these. The 2004 Star Awards saw colleagues Chew Chor Meng, Zoe Tay, Huang Biren and Mark Lee attempting to out their romance, while Zoe Tay urged Lee to propose to Fann at the 2005 Star Awards.cite web | title = Zoe Tay's attention-seeking antics at Star Awards 2005 | work = | publisher = MediaCorp | date = | url = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9_3BR3QhFA | accessdate = 2006-12-21 ] After Fann and Lee publicly admitted to their relationship in mid-2005, they were seldom seen together. However, in December 2006, they walked together hand-in-hand down the blue carpet of the 2006 Star Awards ceremony. The gesture was noted by the Singapore media as a rare public acknowledgement of their relationship.cite news | last = Tan | first = Jeanine | coauthors = Grace Yap | title = Love is on the air | publisher = TODAY | date = 2006-12-12 | accessdate = 2006-12-29] One of the few remaining single Singaporean actresses among her peers, Fann has stated that she does not care when she will get married. [cite news | last = Hong | first = Xinyi | title = 'I do not care when I get married' | publisher = The Straits Times | date = 2006-06-05 | accessdate = 2006-12-13] The Singapore media has noted that she tends to zealously safeguard her private life from media scrutiny.cite web | last = Yeoh | first = Wee Teck | title = 'I felt like a goldfish' | work = | publisher = The New Paper | date = 2004-04-30 | url = http://board5.cgiworld.dreamwiz.com/view.cgi?id=ffc&now=25&jd=-1&ino=55&tmp_no=55 | accessdate = 2006-12-02] Fann's hobbies include illustrating comics, shopping, eating and sleeping.cite news | title = Fann Wong's biography, I Live Alone | publisher = EMI Taiwan and Hype Records | date = 1999-09 | accessdate = 2006-12-28]

Works

Awards

Fann was also an annual recipient of a popularity award at the Singapore Star Awards from 1995 to 2004 (titled 'Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes'). This culminated in her being awarded the All-Time Favourite Artiste Award at the 2005 Star Awards.

References

External links

* [http://www.zilliontech.com/knowledge/fannwong.html Life Story and Photo Gallery of Fann Wong]
*imdb name|id=0939056|name=Fann Wong

Persondata
NAME=Wong, Fann
ALTERNATIVE NAMES=Fann, Woon Fong (real name); 范, 文芳 (Chinese)
SHORT DESCRIPTION=Singaporean actress
DATE OF BIRTH=January 27, 1971
PLACE OF BIRTH=Singapore
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=