Adrienne Lau

Adrienne Lau (Chinese: 劉晨芝; Birth name: Wing Nga Lau[1]) is a singer, actress born on September 7. She is the first Chinese American female artist to have two singles in the US Pop Billboard Single Sales charts in the top 20.[2][3][4] She speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin. She graduated from UCLA with double major degrees in Communications and Sociology. Adrienne also did an advertising campaign and was the spokesmodel for Vigoss Jeans in China.[5]

Controversy surrounding MIG Records and Henry Jones

In the early 2000s, Lau received a record deal from Henry Jones of MIG Records (later renamed to Global Village Records). Jones used the proceeds from his ponzi scheme with Tri Energy to fund his MIG Records enterprise, and Lau was the singer that Jones spent the most money promoting.[6] Jones produced elaborate music videos for Lau, filmed a reality show about Lau, and paid for billboard advertisement using the investor's money from his ponzi scheme.[6] Lau was sometimes described as Jones's girlfriend,[6] and was portrayed as such in the episode titled, "Fool's Gold," from Season 5 of American Greed.

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a suit against Henry Jones and argued successfully that Jones was operating Tri Energy as an affinity fraud ponzi scheme.[7] Lau was once suspected of being a conduit to funnel money for the ponzi scheme, and there were allegations that Lau's bank account was used as part of the fraud committed by Jones and Tri Energy.[6] However, Jones claims Lau had nothing to do with the scheme, and that usage of Lau's bank account was just an innocent mistake.[6] Lau was named a relief defendant and the SEC did not charge Lau of wrongdoing, but Lau was ordered to pay a disgorgement of $200,000 plus pre-judgment interest of $20,000.[1]

Career

In January 2005, her debut album “Hypnotic” was released. Her first single “Hypnotic Love” features Jin tha MC. Mike Tyson also made an appearance in the music video.[8] Mýa also produced the song “Xtacy” in the album.

During September 2006, Adrienne performed at the MTV Chi Rocks concert for MTV Chi.

In December 2006, Adrienne performed for the V Party for Channel V in Singapore.[9]

In March 2007, Adrienne made an appearance in the Bangkok International Fashion Week in Thailand with a performance on the catwalk.

In her second self-titled album “Adrienne”, Petey Pablo is featured in her single “You’re the One”. Adrienne made many appearances on the red carpets around the world. She appears in the 2006, 2007 and 2008 Grammys in glamorous dresses.[10]

In 2008, Adrienne sang the song “Olympics Beijing” (“Ao Yun Beijing”) for 2008 Olympics.[11]

In 2009, she has been working and seen in company with many artists from America during her time in Hong Kong, such as Benji Madden and Taboo from BEP.[12]

In May 2010, Adrienne will be coming out with a crossover album with Vitamin Water in Hong Kong. This is a first of a kind partnership of this beverage brand with an artist in Asia. Adrienne was chosen because of her international influence in both Asia and the States.[13]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, "Litigation Release No. 20239," August 13, 2007
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  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 Chris Hansen, "Too Good To be True," MSNBC, April 5, 2010
  7. ↑ U.S. SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION, "Litigation Release No. 21000," April 15, 2009
  8. ↑
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External links