Teresa Cheung (socialite)

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Cheung.
Teresa Cheung
Chinese name 章小蕙
Born Hong Kong
Other name(s) Teresa Cheung Siu-wai
Zhang Xiaohui
Teresa Bee
Occupation Socialite
Actress
Film producer
Spouse(s) Kenny Bee (1987–1999)
Official Website http://www.teresa.cc/

Teresa Cheung Siu-wai (Chinese: 章小蕙) is a Hong Kong socialite, actress and producer. She is the former wife of Kenny Bee, with whom she has two children.[1]

Contents

Early life

Cheung was born in Hong Kong and is of Shanghainese origin.[2] After relocating to Canada, she studied at the University of Toronto, majoring in Fine Arts History and English literature. She first appeared in an advertisement at the age of three, and as a student modelled in fashion shows and acted in short films.[3]

Marriage

In 1987, Cheung married Hong Kong pop star and actor Kenny Bee. Previously unknown, she became popular with society journalists and notorious for her extravagant shopping sprees.[4] The marriage fell apart in 1997, after it was revealed that she was having an affair with businessman Edmund Chan, whose wife, Susanna Chung, was terminally ill with cancer.[5] Cheung was subjected to a strong media backlash, but the affair continued even after Chung lost her battle with cancer, though they have since separated.[4] During their marriage, Bee and Cheung borrowed substantial loans to invest in Hong Kong's real estate, but after the property market crashed found themselves stuck with debts estimated at HK$250 million. The couple divorced in 1999.[6]

Acting career

Despite having no prior experience as a professional actress, Cheung was given a leading role in the 2004 film Colour Blossoms. Writer and director Yonfan had been the photographer for Cheung's wedding,[3] and has stated that she was his inspiration for the film.[7] Nevertheless, she was initially reluctant to perform the nude and sexual scenes, saying "When I came to know that I had to do such scenes, I was frightened and cried for more than three days".[3] She was able to overcome these problems, however, and later defended the film for its artistic qualities.[8] Although it failed at the box office, Cheung received a number of awards and nominations for her role, only narrowly missing out on a best actress award from the Hong Kong Film Critics Society.[9]

Cheung is credited as an executive producer on Oliver Stone's film, W., and has a cameo role as a journalist.[2][10]

Human rights

In August 2006, Cheung was one of five "Human Rights Heroes" honoured by Youth for Human Rights International, a group affiliated with the Church of Scientology, during a summit held at the United Nations headquarters.[11]

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
2004 Colour Blossoms Meili
2008 W. Asian journalist Cameo; also credited as executive producer.

Awards and nominations

Year Awards group Award category—Film Result Ref.
2005 Cinemanila International Film Festival Rising Star Award—Colour Blossoms Won [12]
Chennai International Film Festival Awards Most Promising Actress—Colour Blossoms Won [13]
Hong Kong Film Awards Best New Performer—Colour Blossoms Nominated [14]
Hong Kong Film Critics Society Awards Best Actress—Colour Blossoms Nominated [9]

References

  1. ^ "Free from debt", The Star (Malaysia) Online, October 30, 2006. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  2. ^ a b Official site biography. Retrieved on July 31, 2008.
  3. ^ a b c "Films energise me, says ‘promising star’", The Hindu, December 4, 2005. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  4. ^ a b Angelica Cheung, "Queen Bee no more", Asiaweek.com, January 29, 1999. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  5. ^ Antoine So, "The rumours are true", The Standard, October 10, 1997. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  6. ^ Peggy Sito, "Socialites on a buying spree", Hello Tai Tai, originally printed in the South China Morning Post, February 4, 2004. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  7. ^ "Chanel No.5?", bc Magazine, 2005. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  8. ^ The Making of Colour Blossoms, featurette on Panorama Distributions (Hong Kong) 2xDVD release of Colour Blossoms, YesAsia Catalog No. 1003884463
  9. ^ a b Alexandra A. Seno , "A filmmaker bucks Hong Kong trends", International Herald Tribune, February 7, 2005. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  10. ^ Full cast and crew for W., IMDb. Retrieved on July 31, 2008.
  11. ^ "International Human Rights Heroes Honoured", Youth for Human Rights International, August 24, 2006. Retrieved on March 11, 2007.
  12. ^ Awards, 7th Cinemanila International Film Festival. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.
  13. ^ S.R. Ashok Kumar, "Spanish film bags award at Chennai festival", The Hindu. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.
  14. ^ The 25th Hong Kong Film Awards. Retrieved on February 14, 2007.

External links