Renowned pop singer CoCo Lee, now 22, is not just another young performer aiming for the limelight. The Taiwan pop queen harbors an ambition that deviates significantly from her musical career: she’s a pre-medical student at the University of California, Irvine, nurturing an enduring dream of becoming a surgeon.
Known for her vibrant orange hair, the successful singer, whose record sales rival those of her peer Sherry Cheng Huei-mei, recently visited Hong Kong to promote her debut Cantonese album, aptly titled “CoCo.” Yet, despite her notable accomplishments in the music industry, Lee confides that she never envisioned herself as a star.
With a list of accolades that includes Miss Teenage Chinatown in 1991, runner-up in the TVB New Talent Singing Contest in 1993, and being voted Best New Artist in 1994, Lee has an impressive track record. However, her true passion lies in the field of medicine, inspired by her mother, a successful doctor.
In June, Lee released her seventh solo album, “Each Time I Think of You,” which recorded more than 300,000 sales in the first week alone. Her record company, Sony Music, is gearing up to launch her second English-language album, “CoCo’s Party,” globally by the end of the year.
Although Lee was born and raised in Hong Kong, she currently resides in the United States. She sees her potential not confined to the Asian market, but extending to the West, specifically the U.S. Lee collaborated with Walter Afanasieff, Mariah Carey’s producer, for her upcoming album. Her long-term goal is to release an American album, making her potentially the first Chinese artist to achieve such a milestone.
Despite her plans to go global, Lee maintains a deep connection to Asia, which she regards as home. Her journey in the music industry started rather spontaneously when she entered the TVB New Talent Singing Contest in 1993 “just for fun.” The Taiwanese audience fell in love with her unique high voice and engaging personality, which led to her first solo album, “Love Now,” in 1994.
Lee’s powerful vocals and strong sense of rhythm have set her apart in the industry. Her talent to blend traditional Chinese songs with contemporary styles like R&B has significantly contributed to her popularity. However, her inability to write music is a constraint she hopes to overcome in her career.
Inspired by artists like George Michael, Lee aspires to tell stories through her voice. She doesn’t see herself as a mere teenage pop idol but aims to be a well-rounded, multi-talented figure.
Balancing her studies with her music career, Lee is adamant about continuing her medical education. She has dedicated herself to specializing in cancer research and expects to complete her training as a surgeon within a decade. The ambitious Capricorn believes in setting few but meaningful goals and working tirelessly to fulfill them.
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