Biography
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Born
13 September 1972 (age 52)
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Born In
Hong Kong, China
Kelly Chen, born Chen Wai-Lam (陳慧琳) on September 13, 1972, in Hong Kong, is a renowned singer and actress who has significantly contributed to the Cantopop industry and beyond. Growing up in Hong Kong with an elder sister and a younger brother, Kelly's early education took her to Japan, where she attended Kobe Canadian Academy and became fluent in Japanese. She later pursued higher education in the United States, graduating from the prestigious Parsons School of Design in New York City with a specialization in Graphic Design.
Kelly's career began in 1994 when she returned to Hong Kong and was discovered by an agent. Her breakthrough came in 1995 with her debut film Whatever Will Be, Will Be (仙樂飄飄) and the release of her first Cantonese album, Dedicated Lover (醉迷情人), which established her as a rising star in both music and acting. In 1996, she expanded her reach with her first Mandarin album, I Don't Think So (我不以為), and continued to release successful Cantonese albums, such as Wind, Flower, Snow (風花雪). That same year, she ventured into the Japanese music scene with two singles, showcasing her multilingual talents.
By 1997, Kelly had solidified her status as a leading East Asian artist. She held her first concert, Starry Dream of Love (星夢情真), and released multiple albums, including her second Mandarin album, Insight (體會), and the Cantonese album A Movie (一齣戲). Her Japanese single Morning became a hit, further cementing her international appeal. In 1998, she embarked on a world tour and took on various ambassadorial roles, including Hong Kong Goodwill Ambassador and Ambassador of Environment, reflecting her commitment to social causes.
Kelly's career continued to flourish in the late 1990s and early 2000s. She starred in the television drama Don't Be a Cry Baby with Japanese actress Kyoko Fukada and was appointed as UNICEF's Honorable China Children's Health Ambassador. Her 2001 remix album, Kelly BPM Collection, and the Paisley Galaxy World Tour (花花宇宙世界巡迴演唱會) further showcased her versatility and global popularity. In 2002, she was named "The Most Popular Idol" in a Hong Kong survey and established the Kelly Chen Children Education Fund to support underprivileged children.
In 2003, Kelly's influence expanded as she was appointed The Philatelic Ambassador by Hong Kong Post and had her wax figure displayed at Madame Tussaud's. Her 2005 hit song Hope (希望), from the Korean drama Dae Jang Geum (대장금/大長今), became a massive success, topping charts and setting records for ringtone downloads. This success earned her multiple awards, including Most Well-Liked Female Singer in Mainland China at the TVB 8 Awards.
Kelly's philanthropic efforts remained a cornerstone of her career. She was appointed as the Road Safety Vision Ambassador and the Reading Ambassador in 2004, and in 2005, she became the first Asian spokesperson for Dior. Her Lost in Paradise World Tour (紙醉金迷世界巡迴演唱會) (2005–2006) spanned Asia and North America, featuring 35 songs from her decade-long career.
In 2008, Kelly married Alex Lau and shifted her focus to family life after the birth of her children. Despite this, she continued to release music, including her 2010 album Chasing Dreams (微光), and took on select acting roles, such as in the 2014 film Horseplay. In 2023, Kelly surprised fans with a series of new songs, including Eye of the Storm (風眼), Unconditional Love (我的親人), Price of Romance (談情的價值), and Knowledge of Love (愛情常識).
Throughout her career, Kelly Chen has not only achieved immense success as a singer and actress but has also made significant contributions to charitable causes, earning her numerous accolades and titles, including being named one of Hong Kong's Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2002 and a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum in 2009.
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