‘I'm in love with China': Actress Eleanor Lee denies making derogatory comments about Chinese people
There has been talk that Eleanor Lee was removed from the cast list of an upcoming Chinese period drama, The Journey Of Legend. PHOTO: ELEANOR LEE/WEIBO
SINGAPORE - Home-grown actress Eleanor Lee has broken her silence on an online storm related to the release of an audio recording, denying that she had made derogatory comments about people in China.
'I'm sorry to have caused so much controversy and taken up public resources,' the 25-year-old China-based star wrote on her social media platforms, including Weibo, Instagram and Facebook, on May 10. 'I was very shocked when I heard the recording. This was definitely not what I said.'
The furore began when a netizen claiming to be Lee's former assistant released in April a poor-quality audio recording that lasted about 30 seconds on Chinese social media platform Weibo.
In the recording, which features a lot of background noise and some muffled words, a woman is heard saying she is 'doing this not for fame, but for money' and that 'most people in China are idiots'.
It is not confirmed if it is Lee's voice in the clip. The incident gained traction after the China and Taiwanese media reported on it in the past few days.
Lee - the daughter of Taiwan-born Singapore TV host Quan Yifeng and her former husband, local actor Peter Yu - wrote in her post in Chinese: 'I didn't come forward in the first instance because we are also sorting out the facts, hoping to give a satisfactory answer to people who care about me. I will use my own actions to prove my attitude, and welcome everyone to supervise me in the future.'
The Taiwan-born actress added in her statement that she was born in China and has spent nearly half her life in the country after moving there from Singapore at the age of 16. China views Taiwan as its own territory.
Lee first gained prominence in China in 2015 after appearing in an Apple China commercial directed by award-winning Hong Kong film-maker Ann Hui.
The starlet then began to pursue acting in China and started studying at the prestigious Beijing Film Academy in 2017. She has starred in Chinese TV series such as Solaso Bistro (2017), My Poseidon (2019) and My Love, Enlighten Me (2020).
Lee also featured in the Chinese movie The Enchanting Phantom (2020), a remake of the 1987 Hong Kong film A Chinese Ghost Story. She played beautiful ghost Nie Xiaoqian, who was portrayed by Taiwanese actress Joey Wong in the original classic.
'I have received many opportunities and (much) assistance here, and have been able to shine in my favourite career,' she wrote. 'I am completely in love with and grateful for this land, and I will never waver in any of my stances on any issue related to China.'
Lee is starring in an upcoming Chinese period drama, The Journey Of Legend. However, there has been talk that she was removed from the cast list after her name did not appear on one of the pinned posts dated April 9 on The Journey Of Legend's Weibo account.
Based on a novel by Malaysia-born author Woon Swee Oan, The Journey Of Legend also stars Chinese actor Cheng Yi and Chinese actress Gulnazar Bextiyar. Lee plays one of the main characters, Tang Fang.
The Journey Of Legend wrapped up filming in October 2024. The show has not announced its official premiere date, but some netizens speculated the airing of the drama might be affected by Lee's alleged remarks.
Lee also shared a statement by her agency in her post on May 10. It noted that some users on social media have maliciously spread false information about the actress, which seriously damaged her reputation.
'Eleanor Lee has always respected and loved Chinese culture,' the agency said. 'For many years, she has been actively studying the Chinese language and taking part in Chinese film and TV productions, and is committed to promoting cultural exchanges.'
It stressed that the recording and other related content circulating online are fabricated and untrue. It also urged internet users to stop circulating them, adding that it will take legal action against those who continue to do so.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
‘I have another 8 or 9 years to live': HK star Law Kar Ying battles cancer for 4th time
Law Kar Ying revealed in a recent interview with Chinese media that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. PHOTO: XIAOHONGSHU 'I have another 8 or 9 years to live': HK star Law Kar Ying battles cancer for 4th time HONG KONG – Veteran Hong Kong opera star and actor Law Kar Ying has been leading an active lifestyle in recent years. Despite his seemingly robust appearance, the 78-year-old revealed in a recent interview with Chinese media that he has been diagnosed with cancer for the fourth time. He is currently on tour in China with Hong Kong actress Athena Chu for a Cantonese stage play. Although Law said doctors estimate that he may have around eight years to live, the From Beijing With Love (1994) star added he is not fearful and has chosen to forgo chemotherapy and radiotherapy. 'I have another eight or nine years to live. Ninety years old is already a long life. What's the point of living longer? I'm not afraid at all,' he said. 'I won't undergo chemotherapy or radiotherapy. I want to be comfortable as I bid my friends goodbye.' When asked how he is dealing with the latest diagnosis, Law responded: 'You come (into this world) empty-handed and you'll leave empty-handed. I have no worries. That's life.' His positive attitude and outlook have impressed netizens, with many praising him for appreciating and making the most out of the present moment. Law, a member of the Hong Kong Celebrity Football Team, is married to Hong Kong actress Liza Wang, 77. He was first diagnosed with stage three liver cancer in 2004 and had to undergo surgery to remove part of his liver to save his life. With the support of Wang, he remained optimistic and ultimately overcame the disease. The couple later wed in the United States in 2009. In 2014, a routine medical check-up revealed a 2cm tumour in Law's liver, and he went for surgery to remove the tumour. In 2019, doctors found cancerous cells after a prostate biopsy. He underwent a prostatectomy, a procedure to remove part or all of the prostate gland, and was in remission after that. THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
2 days ago
- Straits Times
Man jumps into display of China's Terracotta Army
A worker at the museum told AFP on May 31 that the display was open as usual. PHOTO: MOKSIM SALEH Beijing - A domestic tourist climbed over a fence and jumped into a section of the world-famous display of China's Terracotta Army, damaging two ancient clay warriors, the authorities said on May 31. The 30-year-old was visiting the museum housing the Terracotta Army in the city of Xi'an on May 30 when he 'climbed over the guardrail and the protective net and jumped', public security officials said in a statement. The man surnamed Sun was found to 'suffer from mental illness' and the case is under investigation. He 'pushed and pulled' the clay warriors and two were 'damaged to varying degrees', the statement said. He was 'controlled' by security personnel. The pit he jumped into is up to 5.4m deep, according to the museum's website. Built around 209 BC to stand guard over the tomb of the first emperor, the 8,000-strong Terracotta Army is one of China's most important archaeological discoveries and considered a symbol of ancient Chinese artistic and military sophistication. A major tourist attraction in Xi'an, capital of the northern province of Shaanxi, it has been a Unesco world heritage site since 1987. A worker at the museum told AFP on May 31 that the display was open as usual. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
Philip Ng, 47, confirms his romantic relationship with 34 y/o model Renee Li
HONG KONG: It seems Philip Ng, the Hong Kong-American actor who was once romantically involved with TVB's Linda Chung, has found someone new. As reported in The Star, the 47-year-old made his relationship with model Renee Li official on Wednesday. This happened just a day after eagle-eyed fans spotted them together at Raymond Lam's concert. Photo: Instagram/Renee Li The actor was previously seen with a younger woman at a theme park, according to Oriental Daily . Although Ng, the actor from last year's Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In , had already been seen with Li, he was still being cautious with reporters. He confirmed he was 'getting to know' someone, but kept her identity a secret at that point. It seems he wanted to take his time before officially announcing things. Met through mutual friends Ng told the Hong Kong media how he actually met Renee Li. Apparently, it was through a friend they both know. He also confirmed that Renee, who's 34, making her 13 years younger than him, was the same woman he was spotted with at the theme park before all this news came out. He said they were introduced recently and just started dating. He hopes that everyone can give the couple time and space, and he thanked everyone. In 2011, Li joined the entertainment industry. In addition to presenting several ViuTV shows over the years, she has starred in films such as Magic To Win (2011) and Detective (2013). Secretly dated for eight years For context, Ng and Linda Chung secretly dated for eight years. They had to keep it quiet because of their careers at the time. Later, Linda married Jeremy Leung, and they have two children together. Philip Ng, also known as Ng Wan-lung, is interesting because he's got roots in both Hong Kong and America. He was born in Hong Kong in September 1977, but his family moved to the States when he was young, so he's considered both a Hong Kong and an American actor. Master of various martial arts He is a master of various martial arts, including Wing Chun Kung Fu (trained under the late Sifu Wong Shun-leung), Choy Li Fut Kung Fu (trained by his father, Sam Ng), Hung Gar Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Jujutsu, and Escrima. Ng is talented both in front of and behind the camera when it comes to action. He's a skilled fight choreographer, which makes sense with his martial arts background. Fun fact: he even started a Wing Chun club at his university in the US called the Illini Wing Chun Association. Then, in 2002, he decided to come back to Hong Kong to pursue his dreams of acting and choreographing action for movies and TV. Some of his notable films include Twilight Of The Warriors: Walled In (2024), Birth of the Dragon (2016, where he played Bruce Lee), Once Upon a Time in Shanghai (2014), and Invisible Target (2007). He has also appeared in TV series such as A Fist Within Four Walls (2016) and The Righteous Fists (2022).
