Fann Wong

Fann Woon Fong (simplified Chinese: 范文芳; traditional Chinese: 范雯芳; pinyin: Fàn Wénfāng; born 27 January 1971), better known by her stage name Fann Wong,[1][2] is a Singaporean actress, singer and model. She is referred to as MediaCorp's "Ah Jie" (senior actress)[3] together with Zoe Tay and Xiang Yun for being among the first locally trained artistes.

In this Chinese name, the family name is Fann (范).
Fann Wong
范文芳
Fann in 2005
Born
Fann Woon Fong (范文芳)

(1971-01-27) 27 January 1971
Singapore
NationalitySingaporean
OccupationActress, singer, model
Years active1994–present
Agent
  • Huayi Brothers
  • Catwalk Production House
Height1.7 m (5 ft 7 in)
Spouse(s)
​
(m. 2009)​
ChildrenZed Lee (son) (born 9 August 2014)
FamilyFan Wen Qing (younger sister)
AwardsStar Awards 1995:
Best Actress & Best Newcomer
Star Awards 2000 : Special Achievement Award
Star Awards 2005 :
All-Time Favourite Artiste
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese范雯芳
Simplified Chinese范文芳
Musical career
GenresMandopop

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 Artiste at the Star Awards after winning the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes award from 1995 to 2004 respectively with Xie Shaoguang. [4] She married actor Christopher Lee on 29 September 2009.[5][6]

Early life and career

Early days: television career

Born in Singapore to Hakka tailor parents, Fann shared her childhood with three siblings—an older sister, as well as a younger brother and a younger sister named Fan Wen Qing (former child actress). She was educated at Temasek Secondary School, where she took her GCE 'O' Level examinations in 1987.[7][8]

Wong was a child actor while in primary school and featured in several SBC children's programmes.[9] At the age of 16, she won a beauty contest organised by Her World, a Singapore fashion magazine.[2] 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 LIFS.

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.[2] The following year, a Singaporean television producer discovered her and cast her in Dreams Come True, a Singapore drama series.[2] Fann soon starred in two more Singapore television series, The Challenger and Chronicle of Life.[2]

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.[10] In 1996, her role in The Unbroken Cycle won her first regional nomination at the Asian Television Awards.[11] 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 (theme song of her TV drama 'Brave New World') with Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.[12] 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.[2][13]

Late 1990s: rise of regional popularity

In 1996, Fann starred in the 40-episode blockbuster drama, Brave New World, alongside with Christopher Lee and Hong Kong actor Alex Man.[14] This was the first time ever that Fann would act together with Christopher Lee. Fann also performed the theme song, "Don't let love become hard for us", as a duet with Taiwanese singer Jeff Chang.[15]

In 1998, Fann was named the female lead, Xiaolongnü, in TCS remake of the hit wuxia drama The Return of the Condor Heroes where she once again starred alongside Christopher Lee. The release of this drama, along with her second album, Shopping, further increased her exposure in Taiwan and China.[16] 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.[16][17] The movie topped the Singapore box office for three weeks[18] and her role as a gritty wild-child won her a Best New Performer nomination at the 19th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2000.[19] In addition, her role as a self-centred stockbroker in Out to Win attracted a million viewers in Singapore during its finale.[20] It was during this period when Fann acquired many of her die-hard fans, led by the Fann-atic Fan Club (FFC).

In 1999, Fann released her third album Missing You, recorded "Private Number" with British boyband 911,[21] and performed Moments of Magic, Singapore's official millennium song.[2][22] 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.[23] That same year, she released her fourth Mandarin album, No Problem.[24]

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,[25] acted as a lovelorn insurance agent in the Singaporean romantic drama Looking For Stars,[26] as well as played the title character in the Taiwanese period drama Madam White Snake.[27] She also began hosting travelogue shows, including Travel Hunt: Japan and Fann Adventure, which was filmed in South Africa and Malaysia.[28]

2003: Hollywood

In 2002, Fann became the first Singaporean actress to play 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.[29]

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".[29] In Hong Kong, the South China Morning Post stated that she "seems set to displace Lucy Liu as Hollywood's Asian babe du jour".[29] She was subsequently nominated under the Best Fight category in MTV Movie Awards 2003,[30] and in 2004, won the Singapore Street Festival's Best International Artiste Award.[31]

2004–2007

In 2004, Fann continued acting in China period dramas such as Moon Fairy and My Fair Lady.[32] 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.[33] In mid-2004, Fann was cast in the lead role in the German-Singapore telemovie, House of Harmony.[34] In late 2004, Fann released her first publication, a semi-autobiographical comic book Girl Illustrated.[35] After a musical hiatus of five years, she released her first compilation, In Love With You.[36]

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. She obtained the All-Time Favourite Artiste for obtaining the Top 10 Most Popular Female Artistes . [37] House of Harmony has since been telecast in Germany, Austria, France and Belgium to a combined prime-time viewership of over 80 million.[38] 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.[39]

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.[40] Furthermore, she also contributed her songs for the soundtracks of the movie.

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,[41] where she donated cassette recorders and biscuits.[42]

2007–2012: Focus on China market (under Huayi Brothers)

In early 2007, Fann signed a management contract with China's Huayi Brothers. Fann also became the first Singaporean artist to release a self-illustrated 3D animation titled Fanntasy World.[43] 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.[44][45]

In 2008, she was invited to be a judge at the sixth "spirit of fire" international film festival which was held in Russia. Ah Long Pte Ltd reached No. 1 in both Singapore's and Malaysia's box office during the Chinese new year. Later, the film Dance of Dragon that she paired with Korean hunk Jang Hyuk led her to win her first International Best Actress at West Hollywood International Film Festival.

In 2009, Fann starred with then-boyfriend Christopher Lee in The Wedding Game. The movie won the best feature film at the first international comedy film festival held in Thailand. In June, she finished her new Chinese movie In a tangle . In September, she filmed the romantic movie Cornflower blue, starring with Alex Fong and Chang Chen in Hainan. Both of them were on the screen in late 2010. She filmed another comedy film Happy Go Lucky, which was shown during the Chinese New Year.

In 2010, she slowed down her step and only two dramas were filmed. But she gained her critic praises from many Chinese media for her character "Ren DaiDai" in the drama Jin DaBan De Zuihou Yiye starring with Chinese actress Fan Bingbing. Two more Singaporean dramas followed in 2011.

But 2012 seemed to be a busy year for Fann. At the begin of the year, she played a syren in the series The Legend of Master Ji 3, then she was invited to be a judge for TBS's fashion competition show Asian Ace. Later she flew to ShanDong and played a spicy wife in the movie Ai Shui Shui together with Jaycee Chan,and also a telemovie Han di hu lue zhu gui based on novel Water Margin. Another movie Runaway Woman was filmed in Xinjiang in May. She was awarded the "2012 Huading Most Popular Asian Actress Award" in Beijing Olympic Sports Centre on 4 July. Though she didn't release new album for years, she was still invited to perform at 9th Asia Song Festival which was held in Yeosul, Korea, on 4 August. In October, she flew to Xinjiang again to film the period drama Tun Shu Xi Jiang about revolution occurring in Xinjiang. She worked with Hong Kong actor Bowie Lam (her husband in the drama) and Chinese director Zhang Jizhong.

2013–present: New Beginning (under Catwalk)

2013 became a new beginning for Fann. She set up her own studio at the end of 2012, ended her contract with Huayi Brothers, and signed a new contract with Taiwan management agency Catwalk.

In 2014, after working with Fann on a children's charity in Thailand, illustrator Patrick Yee designed and illustrated a nearly wordless picturebook, published by Epigram Books, about the adventures of a girl with the same name.[46]

Personal life & Marriage

Fann has been romantically involved with Malaysian actor Christopher Lee since late 2002,[47] although the pair only admitted their relationship in mid-2005.[4] She has had only one prior romance known to the public; an 11-year relationship with businessman Anthony Chan.[48][49]

Fann and Lee have collaborated eight times in television productions, and have played lovers in six of these.[4][49][50] After Fann and Lee publicly admitted to their relationship in mid-2005,[4] 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.[51]

In September 2008, it was rumoured she would be marrying Lee.[52] They finally got married on 16 May 2009 after an eight-year relationship. Costing at S$5 million,[53] their wedding was featured in an infotainment show called The Wedding (范心有李),[54] which was hosted by Michelle Chong, Mark Lee and Dennis Chew. On 9 August 2014, Fann gave birth to a baby boy named Zed.[55]

In July 2020, Fann alerted her fans to a scammer using her identity to get her fans' personal information. The scam asked fans to register their names on a website in order to receive a giveaway prize. [56]

Fann's hobbies include illustrating comics, shopping, and eating.[57]

Filmography
Main article: Fann Wong filmography

Accolades
YearAwardNominated workNotes
1988Her World Magazine Cover GirlN/AWon
1995Star Awards 1995, Best ActressChronicle Of Life
(as Fang Ling)		Won
1995Star Awards 1995, Best NewcomerChronicle Of Life
(as Fang Ling)		Won
1995Star Awards 1995, Top 5 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
1996Asian Television Awards 1996, Best ActressThe Unbroken Cycle
(as Ye Qin, Li Xiangmei, Zhu Zhiyue)		Nominated
1996Star Awards 1996, Best ActressThe Unbroken Cycle
(as Ye Qin, Li Xiangmei, Zhu Zhiyue)		Nominated
1996Star Awards 1996, Top 5 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
1996Singapore Hit Awards, Media Recommendation AwardLocal SingerNominated
1997Star Awards 1997, Best ActressThe Matchmaker's Match
(as Xiang-Gu)		Nominated
1997Star Awards 1997, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
1997Star Awards 1997, Best Theme SongBrave New World
《别让情两难》		Nominated
1998Star Awards 1998, Best ActressThe Return of the Condor Heroes
(as Xiao Long Nu)		Nominated
1998Star Awards 1998, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
1998YES 933 Hit Awards, Most Popular Local SingerN/AWon
1999Star Awards 1999, Best ActressOut To Win
(as Zhang Wenhua Coco)		Nominated
1999Star Awards 1999, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
1999Star Awards 1997, Best Theme SongOut to Win 《LUV 3》Nominated
2000Star Awards 2000, Special Achievement AwardN/AWon
2000Star Awards 2000, Best ActressThe Legendary Swordsman
(as Ren Yingying)		Nominated
2000Star Awards 2000, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
2000Singapore Hit Awards, Most Popular Female SingerN/AWon
2000Hong Kong Film Awards, Best New PerformerThe Truth About Jane and SamNominated
2001Star Awards 2001, Best ActressHeroes in Black
(as Liu Feiyan)		Nominated
2001Star Awards 2001, Best Theme SongHeroes in Black
《我来也匆匆去也匆匆》		Nominated
2001Star Awards 2001, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
2002Star Awards 2002, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
2003Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
2003MTV Movie Awards, Best Fight Shanghai KnightsNominated
2003Singapore Fashion Awards, Celebrity Style AwardN/AWon
2004Singapore Street Festival, Best International ArtisteN/AWon
2004Star Awards 2004, Best ActressAlways on My Mind
(as Guan Sija)		Nominated
2004Star Awards 2004, Best Theme SongAlways on My Mind
《明天还有更远的路》		Nominated
2004Star Awards 2004, Top 10 Most Popular Female ArtistesN/AWon
2005 Star Awards 2005, All-Time Favourite ArtisteN/AReceived
2005Star Awards 2005, Best ActressBeautiful Illusions
(as Wang Yixin Joe-ann)		Nominated
2005Star Awards 2005, Best Theme SongBeautiful Illusions
《下一秒钟》		Nominated
2006Star Awards 2006, Best ActressWomen Of Times
(as Wang Yixi)		Nominated
2007China Bai He JiangPopularityWon
2008West Hollywood International Film Festival, Best ActressDance of the DragonWon
2009Star Awards 2009, Best ActressThe Defining Moment
(as Lin Kexin)		Nominated
2009Asian Television Awards 2009, Best ActressThe Defining Moment
(as Lin Kexin)		Nominated
2010Star Awards 2010, Star Awards for Favourite Female CharacterThe UltimatumNominated
2012Star Awards 2012, Best ActressOn The Fringe 2
(as Liu Jiali)		Nominated
2012Star Awards 2012, Star Awards for Favourite Onscreen Couple (Drama) (w Li Nanxing)On The Fringe 2
(as Liu Jiali)		Nominated
2012Star Awards 2012, Favourite Variety Show HostN/ANominated
2013Asian Song Festival, Best Asian ArtistN/AWon
2013China HuaDing Awards, Most Popular Asian ActressN/AWon
2019Star Awards 2019, Best Actress"Doppelganger"
(as Wang Siting)		Nominated

References
  1. "At Home With... Fann Wong". Channel NewsAsia. Archived from the original on 14 June 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  2. Kee, Hua Chee (19 June 2006). "Fann-tastic reason". The Star (Malaysia) Online. Archived from the original on 13 October 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  3. "Baby bump steals show at Star Awards 2014". The New Paper. 28 April 2014. Archived from the original on 9 September 2017. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
  4. "The lovebirds come clean, finally; Fann Wong and Christopher Lee have their families' blessings, too". The Straits Times. 11 May 2005.
  5. "范文芳嫁李銘順 星版神雕俠侶婚了". Yahoo Taiwan. 17 April 2009. Retrieved 17 April 2009.
  6. Tan, Hazel (9 July 1999). "A boyfriend? What's the big deal, Fann?". The New Paper.
  7. "Fann-ing up: Actress Fann Wong wants to take on more challenging roles in the near future" Archived 25 February 2009 at the Wayback Machine, The Sun, 5 April 2007
  8. "Fann Wong" Archived 14 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Movie Music News, 26 October 2008
  9. MediaCorp 45th anniversary special
  10. Tan, Shzr Ee (8 July 1995). "Fann Wong: I hope I will not be too drunk celebrating". The Straits Times.
  11. "Fann Wong's nominations". fannaticfannclub.com. Archived from the original on 2 September 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  12. Chin, Soo Fang (28 November 1996). "Fann to pair up with two Taiwan kings?". The Straits Times.
  13. Chin, Soo Fang (18 August 1997). "Fann: Now I'm going Oriental". The Straits Times.
  14. https://video.toggle.sg/en/video/series/brave-new-world/ep40/469638
  15. hengneoneo (23 March 2007). "别让情两难 – 一路风尘 (新阿郎) 主题曲" – via YouTube.
  16. Long, Susan (11 October 1998). "She helps Singapore Fann out; catalogue model rises to TV stardom and recording artiste". The Straits Times. (also see Susan Long)
  17. Chen, Andy (10 July 1999). "Derek Yee". 8 DAYS. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  18. "Truth is out... Fann's film is tops". The Straits Times. 13 July 1999.
  19. "The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards". Hong Kong Film Awards Association. 10 July 1999. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  20. Lau, Kuan Wei (26 June 1999). "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". 8 DAYS. Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 28 December 2006.
  21. Tee, Hun Ching (11 June 1999). "That one still no enough". The Straits Times.
  22. "Moments of Magic MV". Hype Records. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  23. Wong, Siew Ying (26 June 2000). "Star light, star bright, Fann shines, all right!". MediaCorp Singapore. Archived from the original on 11 September 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  24. "No Problem CD". YESASIA.com. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  25. "When I Fall in Love...With Both". Golden Harvest (Hong Kong). Archived from the original on 9 November 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  26. "Looking for Stars VCD". YESASIA.com. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  27. "Madam White Snake". MediaCorp Singapore. Archived from the original on 29 April 2007. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  28. "Fann Adventure". IMDb. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  29. Oon, Clarissa (11 February 2003). "Fann gets raves; Described as enchanting in her Hollywood debut, Fann Wong is set to act in the sequel to Shanghai Knights". The Straits Times.
  30. "Awards for Shanghai Knights". IMDb. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  31. "Fann Wong's awards". fannaticfannclub.com. Archived from the original on 14 July 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  32. Teo, Wendy (12 January 2005). "Gallen's so-so... but Fann makes her mark". The New Paper.
  33. "Star Awards 2004 Nominations". MediaCorp Singapore. Archived from the original on 8 December 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  34. Hong, Xinyi (23 July 2004). "Fann goes back in time". The Straits Times.
  35. "Fann fare; Fann Wong launches a comic book about herself to mark a decade of showbiz". The Straits Times. 2 December 2004.
  36. "The Recording Industry Association (Singapore)". RIAS Committee. 18 June – 1 July 2005. Archived from the original on 8 June 2005. Retrieved 27 December 2006.
  37. "Singapore Programmes at International TV Trade Show". Media Development Authority of Singapore. Archived from the original on 17 November 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  38. "Asian 'Lady Chatterley's Lover' to debut on Chinese TV". Shenzhen Daily. 7 November 2006.
  39. "Asian Festival of First Films 2005 Nominations". AFFF Committee. Archived from the original on 14 August 2006. Retrieved 26 November 2006.
  40. "Ready, get cat, go; Fann Wong, the voice behind the cat and snake in Zodiac, almost lost her voice doing it". The Straits Times. 26 January 2006.
  41. "Blind kids get a touch of glamour". The Straits Times. 4 November 2006.
  42. "Cambodian Fann-fare". 8 DAYS. 14 December 2006.
  43. Ng, Sor Luan (30 January 2007). "Still a Fann of her man". The Straits Times.
  44. Teo, Wendy (18 February 2007). "I feel like a 'whore'". The New Paper.
  45. Tai, Elizabeth (25 March 2007). "Just follow Neo". The Star.
  46. "Fann". Epigram Books. Retrieved 1 October 2014.
  47. "Fann throws him surprise party". The New Paper. 2 August 2006. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 2 December 2006.
  48. Seah, Lynn (6 July 1999). "Fann sticks to her guns". The Straits Times.
  49. Kwok, Yvonne (25 February 2005). "Are Fann and Christopher finally tying the knot?". The Straits Times.
  50. "Zoe Tay's attention-seeking antics at Star Awards 2005". MediaCorp. Retrieved 21 December 2006.
  51. Tan, Jeanine; Yap, Grace (12 December 2006). "Love is on the air". TODAY.
  52. "'Fann's September do'". The Straits Times. 23 October 2008.
  53. "RM12mil wedding for Fann Wong and Lee | The Star Online". www.thestar.com.my. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  54. "李铭顺勇闯4关迎娶范文芳". 29 September 2009. Archived from the original on 2 October 2009. Retrieved 2 March 2020.
  55. "Singapore's favourite celebrity baby Zed turns 1!". Her World Singapore. 11 August 2015. Retrieved 1 March 2020.
  56. "Fann Wong alerts fans not to fall for scammer who's impersonating her online". CNA. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  57. "Fann Wong's biography, I Live Alone". EMI Taiwan and Hype Records. September 1999.
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