Kelly Chen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Kelly Chen
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| 陳慧琳 | |||||||||||
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Chen in 2023
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| Born |
Vivian Chen Wai-man
13 September 1972 |
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| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1995–present | ||||||||||
| Spouse(s) |
Alex Lau
(m. 2008) |
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| Children | 2 | ||||||||||
| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Also known as | Wai-lam Chan Kelly Chan |
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| Origin | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
| Genres | |||||||||||
| Instruments | Vocals | ||||||||||
| Labels |
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳慧琳 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈慧琳 | ||||||||||
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| Vivian Chen Wai-man | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳慧汶 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈慧汶 | ||||||||||
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Kelly Chen Wai-lam, born Vivian Chen Wai-man on September 13, 1972, is a famous singer and actress from Hong Kong. People often call her a "Diva of Asia" because of her huge success. She has sold nearly 20 million records from 38 albums across East Asia.
In 2014, Kelly Chen was the highest-earning female celebrity in Hong Kong. She made about 83 million Hong Kong Dollars, which is over 10 million US dollars.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Kelly Chen was born in Hong Kong. Her father was a jewelry merchant, and her mother was a housewife. She went to high school at Canadian Academy International School in Kobe, Japan.
Later, she studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York. This is a very famous art and design school.
Kelly Chen's Amazing Career
Kelly Chen's career started in the mid-1990s and she quickly became a superstar.
Starting Out in Entertainment
In 1994, while still a student, Kelly appeared in two commercials. One was for Shanghai Beer, and the other was for the Bank of Hong Kong.
After returning to Hong Kong, she was introduced to a production studio owner. This led to her being featured in a music video for the famous singer Jacky Cheung.
Kelly made her first movie, Whatever Will Be, Will Be, in 1995. She also sang the theme song for the film. This movie was a big hit in Hong Kong. It helped her start both her acting and singing careers.
Rising to Stardom
In 1996, Kelly released her first Mandarin album, I Don't Think So. It sold over 150,000 copies in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. After this success, she released a popular Cantonese album called Wind, Flower, Snow. She also released her first Japanese singles that year.
By 1997, Kelly held her first concert, "Starry Dream of Love". The album from this concert sold over 100,000 copies in Hong Kong. She also voiced a character in the animated movie A Chinese Ghost Story. Her second Mandarin album, Insight, sold 1.34 million copies across East Asia. Kelly was now a very popular singer and actress.
In 1998, Kelly went on her "Starry Dream of Love World Tour". She also performed 10 concerts for school children in Taiwan. Her Mandarin album, Love Me Or Not, sold over 2 million copies in Asia. The song "Diary" from this album became one of her most famous songs.
Kelly continued to grow her fanbase in Japan in 1999 and 2000. She starred in a TV drama and performed concerts in Fukuoka. Her album Love of Colours was the best-selling album in Hong Kong in 2000. She also won "The Most Popular Female Artist" award.
In 2001, Kelly's remix album Kelly BPM Dance Collection sold over 150,000 copies. She began her "Paisley Galaxy World Tour", performing in Singapore, Malaysia, North America, and China. Her movie Calmi Cuori Appassionati was a huge success in Japan, earning over 30 billion yen. Kelly won "Asian Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Female Artist" in 2001.
Continued Success and Recognition
In 2002, Kelly released her first Japanese album, Grace, which sold well. Her Cantonese song "Blessed" was very popular in Hong Kong. She held many concerts, including the "Kelly Dynacarnival World Tour" in Hong Kong, Sydney, and Melbourne. Liberia even issued stamps with her picture on them! She won "Asian Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Female Artist" again.
Kelly continued her "Dynacarnival World Tour" in 2003. She released two new albums, You Don't Mean It and Love. You Don't Mean It sold over 800,000 copies in Asia. She won her third "Asian Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Female Artist" award.
In 2004, Kelly became the first Asian spokesperson for Dior, a famous fashion brand. She was also named one of the "Famous Outstanding Young Persons of the World". Her "Kelly Lost in Paradise World Tour" started in Hong Kong. She was voted "CCTV Most Popular Female Singer" by millions of Chinese people.
In 2005, Kelly's song "Hope" from the TV series Dae Jang Geum became very popular. It was downloaded over 6 million times as a ringtone! She won several awards for "Hope". Her "Kelly Chen Lost in Paradise World Tour" continued across Asia and North America, with 30 shows in total.
From 2005 to 2007, Kelly was ranked as the third highest-income artist in Greater China. Only Jackie Chan and Andy Lau earned more than her.
In 2008, Kelly starred in the movie Empress and the Warriors. She also held six concerts in Hong Kong called "Kelly Chen Love Fighters Concert 2008". At her last concert, she announced she would marry Alex Lau. She also performed at the closing ceremony of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
Recent Years and Family Life
In 2009, the World Economic Forum chose Kelly as a "Young Global Leader". She also performed at the opening ceremony of the National Games of China.
After having children, Kelly focused more on her family. She released her album Chasing Dreams in 2010. Her first big movie role after 2008 was in Horseplay in 2014.
In 2023, Kelly surprised her fans with new songs. These included "Eye of the Storm", "Unconditional Love", "Price of Romance", and "Knowledge of Love".
Kelly Chen's Personal Life
Kelly Chen married her long-time boyfriend, businessman Alex Lau Kin Ho, on October 2, 2008. They have two sons. Their first son, Chace Lau, was born in July 2009. Their second son, Riley Lau, was born in March 2012.
Kelly's family comes from Shanghai. She speaks fluent Cantonese, and also speaks Mandarin, Japanese, and English. She has an older sister and a younger brother, who is also a singer named Victor Chen Si-hon.
Concert Tours
Kelly Chen has performed many concert tours around the world:
- Wind, Flower, Snow Concert (1997–1998)
- Starry Dream of Love World Tour (1997–1998)
- Deep Impact Taiwan Tour (1998–1999)
- Paisley Galaxy World Tour (2000–2001)
- Dynacarnival World Tour (2002–2003)
- Lost in Paradise World Tour (2004–2006)
- LOVE Fighters Concert (2008)
- Kelly Let's Celebrate! World Tour (2015–2016)
- Kelly Season Two World Tour (2023-2025)
Helping Others: Kelly Chen's Philanthropy
Since 1998, Kelly Chen has been very active in charity work. She has been an ambassador for many important causes.
Protecting the Environment
In 1998, Kelly was named the Hong Kong Ambassador of Environment. She has worked with Greenpeace to create commercials that encourage people to protect the environment.
Supporting Education
In 2002, Kelly became the "Ambassador of The Workplace English Campaign". She encouraged working people to keep learning English, just like she did.
Kelly also started her own charity, the Kelly Chen Children Education Fund. This fund raises money to help children who are in need. She has performed concerts to support this fund.
Helping Children
Kelly has been appointed by UNICEF as the Honorable China Children's Health Ambassador. She also became the "Girl Guides Millennium Goodwill Ambassador" for the Hong Kong Girl Guides Association. This led her to visit Inner Mongolia to see how young children were living.
In 2001, she became the Volunteer Ambassador. Later, UNICEF appointed her again as the Ambassador of The Hong Kong Committee For UNICEF.
Other Charitable Work
Kelly has also been an ambassador for the Hong Kong Red Cross, promoting blood donation. She worked with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In 2003, she was named The Philatelic Ambassador by the Hong Kong Post. She also became "The Love And Peace Ambassador". Kelly continued her charity work in 2004, promoting road safety and reading. She was also named "Hospital Play Ambassador".
In 2007, Kelly was appointed as Hong Kong "Innovative Entrepreneur Ambassador". She sang a theme song to encourage young people to be creative and start their own businesses.
In 2008, Kelly donated $600,000 to help people affected by the 2008 Sichuan earthquake.
Kelly Chen in the Media
In 2002, a survey by the City University of Hong Kong found that Kelly Chen was voted "The Most Popular Idol" by young people in Hong Kong.
She has also been a cover model for magazines and appeared in commercials for companies like Shiseido.
Discography
Studio Albums
Hong Kong Cantonese
- Wind, Flower, Snow 風花雪 (Oct. 1996)
- Starry Dreams of Love 星夢情真 (June 1997)
- A Movie 一齣戲 (Dec. 1997)
- Da De Dum (I Am Falling Out of Love) Da De Dum (我失戀)(July 1998)
- True Feeling 真感覺 (Feb. 1999)
- Don't Stop Loving Me 繼續愛我 (Aug. 1999)
- Paisley Galaxy 花花宇宙 (May 2000)
- The Big Day 大日子 (Nov. 2000)
- In The Party (July 2001)
- ASK (19 December 2001)
- ASK KELLY (1 February 2002)
- Dynacarnival 飛天舞會 (12 July 2002)
- Baby Cat (13 December 2002)
- Love 愛 (22 August 2003)
- Stylish Index (23 July 2004)
- GRACE AND CHARM (22 December 2004)
- Happy Girl (25 August 2006)
- Kellylicious (16 May 2008)
- Reflection (7 February 2013)
- And Then (15 January 2016)
- Watch Me (20 July 2018)
Taiwanese Mandarin
- I Don't Think So 我不以為 (May 1996)
- Insight 體會 (Aug. 1997)
- You're Not The Same 你不一樣 (Mar. 1998)
- Love Me Or Not 愛我不愛 (Dec 1998)
- Love You So Much 愛你愛的 (Apr 2000)
- Flying 飛吧 (Aug. 2001)
- Love Appeared 愛情來了 (10 May 2002)
- You Don't Mean It 心口不一 (1 August 2003)
- Eternal Sunshine 我是陽光的 (16 September 2005)
- Chasing Dreams 微光 (16 March 2010)
Japanese
- GRACE (29 January 2002)
Filmography
- Whatever Will Be, Will Be (仙樂飄飄, 1995)
- The Age of Miracles (1995)
- Lost and Found (天涯海角, 1996)
- A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation (1997)
- Anna Magdalena (安娜瑪德蓮娜, 1998)
- Hot War (幻影特攻, 1998)
- Metade Fumaca (半支煙, 1999)—Cameo
- Tokyo Raiders (東京攻略, 2000)
- And I Hate You So (小親親, 2000)
- Lavender (薰衣草, 2000)
- Calmi Cuori Appassionati (冷靜與熱情之間, 2001)
- Merry Go Round (初戀拿喳麵, 2001) – Cameo
- Infernal Affairs (無間道, 2002)
- Infernal Affairs III (無間道 III, 2003)
- Breaking News (大事件, 2004)
- Super Model (我要做Model, 2004) – Cameo
- McDull, the Alumni (春田花花同學會, 2006) – OL
- It's a Wonderful Life (心想事成, 2007)
- An Empress and the Warriors (江山美人, 2008)
- 72 Tenants of Prosperity (72家租客, 2010)
- All's Well, Ends Well 2012 (八星抱喜, 2012)
- Tales from the Dark 1 (迷離夜之“放手”, 2013)
- The Monkey King (西遊記之大鬧天宮, 2014)
- Horseplay (盜馬記, 2014)
- An Inspector Calls (浮華宴, 2015)
- The Monkey King 2 (西遊記之孫悟空三打白骨精, 2016)
See also
In Spanish: Kelly Chen para niños
