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 | ||||||||||
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| Instruments | Vocals | ||||||||||
| Labels |
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| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳慧琳 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈慧琳 | ||||||||||
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| Birth name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳慧汶 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈慧汶 | ||||||||||
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Kelly Chen Wai-lam (born Vivian Chen Wai-man on 13 September 1972) is a famous singer and actress from Hong Kong. Many people call her a "Diva of Asia" because she is so successful. She has sold nearly 20 million records from her 38 albums!
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
About Kelly Chen's Early Life
Kelly Chen was born Vivian Chen Wai-man in Hong Kong on September 13, 1972. Her dad was a jewelry seller, and her mom stayed at home. She went to high school in Japan at the Canadian Academy International School. Later, she studied at the Parsons School of Design in New York, USA.
Kelly Chen's Amazing Career
Starting Her Journey in Music and Film
In 1994, while still a student, Kelly Chen appeared in two commercials. After returning to Hong Kong, she was chosen to be in a music video for the famous singer Jacky Cheung.
Kelly Chen's first movie was Whatever Will Be, Will Be in 1995. She also sang the main song for the film. ..... It was a big hit in Hong Kong and helped her career in both music and acting.
In 1996, Kelly released her first Mandarin album, I Don't Think So, in Taiwan, Malaysia, and Singapore. It sold over 150,000 copies! She also released a very popular Cantonese song called "Wind, Flower, Snow."
Becoming a Star in Asia
In 1997, Kelly Chen had her first concert series called "Starry Dream of Love." The album from the concert sold over 100,000 copies in Hong Kong. She also voiced a character in the animated movie A Chinese Ghost Story. That year, she released four albums in just five months! Her Mandarin album Insight sold 1.34 million copies in East Asia. By then, Kelly was a very popular singer and actress across East Asia.
In 1998, Kelly went on her "Starry Dream of Love World Tour," starting in Australia. She also performed 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. This success made her a top Chinese pop music star.
By 1999, Kelly Chen was also gaining fans in Japan. She starred in a Japanese TV show and performed concerts there. 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 started 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 more than 30 billion yen (about 220 million Hong Kong dollars). It even broke pre-sale ticket records! 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 over 50,000 copies. Her Cantonese song "Blessed" was very popular in Hong Kong. She held 12 shows in Hong Kong for her "Kelly Dynacarnival World Tour." The country of Liberia even issued stamps with her picture on them! She won "Asian Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Female Artist" again in 2002.
In 2003, her "Dynacarnival World Tour" continued in the USA and Canada. Her Mandarin album You Don't Mean It sold over 800,000 copies in Asia. She won the "Asian Pacific Most Popular Hong Kong Female Artist" award for the third time.
In 2004, Kelly Chen became the first Asian spokesperson for the famous brand Dior. She was also chosen as one of the "Famous Outstanding Young Persons of the World." She held ten shows in Hong Kong for her "Kelly Lost in Paradise World Tour." Chinese people also voted her "CCTV Most Popular Female Singer."
In 2005, her song "Hope" from the Korean TV series Dae Jang Geum became very popular in Hong Kong and mainland China. It was downloaded over 6 million times as a ringtone! Kelly went on her "Kelly Chen Lost in Paradise World Tour" from 2005 to 2006, performing 30 shows across Asia and North America.
From 2005 to 2007, Kelly Chen was ranked as the third highest-income artist in Greater China, after Jackie Chan and Andy Lau.
In 2008, Kelly starred in the movie Empress and the Warriors. She 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
In 2009, the World Economic Forum chose Kelly Chen as a "Young Global Leader." She also performed at the opening ceremony of the National Games of China.
After having her children, Kelly focused more on her family. She released her album Chasing Dreams in 2010. Her movie Horseplay came out in 2014.
In 2023, Kelly Chen released several new songs, including "Eye of the Storm" and "Unconditional Love," surprising her fans with new music.
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: Chace Lau, born in July 2009, and Riley Lau, born in March 2012.
Kelly can speak Cantonese very well, 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.
Kelly Chen's Concert Tours
- 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)
Kelly Chen's Philanthropy and Charity Work
Since 1998, Kelly Chen has been very active in helping others. She has been an ambassador for many good causes, like protecting the environment, supporting education, and helping children.
Helping the Environment
In 1998, she became the Hong Kong Ambassador of Environment. In 2006, she worked with Greenpeace to make commercials that encouraged people to protect the environment.
Supporting Education
In 2002, Kelly was named the "Ambassador of The Workplace English Campaign." She encouraged working people to keep learning English. She also started her own charity, the Kelly Chen Children Education Fund, to help children in need. She was also appointed "Ambassador of The Rehabilitation" by the Hong Kong Correctional Services Department.
Kelly was recognized as one of Hong Kong's Ten Outstanding Young Persons in 2002. She also received the 13th Annual Best Dressed Award in Japan, being the first foreigner to get this award.
Caring for Children
UNICEF appointed Kelly Chen 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 there were living. In 2001, she became the Ambassador of The Hong Kong Committee For UNICEF for a second time.
Other Charity Efforts
As an ambassador for the Hong Kong Red Cross, Kelly promoted blood donation. She also worked with the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).
In 2003, she was appointed "The Philatelic Ambassador" by the Hong Kong Post and "The Love And Peace Ambassador" by City Junior Chamber. Her wax figure was put on display at the Madam Tussaud Wax Museum. She also became the "Love Ambassador" for "World Children's Day at McDonald's 2003."
Kelly's charity work continued in 2004. She became the "Road Safety Vision Ambassador" and the "Reading Ambassador." She was also named "Hospital Play Ambassador" and "Japanese Promotional Ambassador." In 2004, she received the "Outstanding Young Persons of the World" award from the Junior Chamber International, being the first Hong Kong female celebrity to receive it.
In 2007 and 2008, Kelly Chen was the Hong Kong "Innovative Entrepreneur Ambassador." She encouraged 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's Music Albums
Hong Kong Cantonese Albums
- Wind, Flower, Snow (1996)
- Starry Dreams of Love (1997)
- A Movie (1997)
- Da De Dum (I Am Falling Out of Love) (1998)
- True Feeling (1999)
- Don't Stop Loving Me (1999)
- Paisley Galaxy (2000)
- The Big Day (2000)
- In The Party (2001)
- ASK (2001)
- ASK KELLY (2002)
- Dynacarnival (2002)
- Baby Cat (2002)
- Love (2003)
- Stylish Index (2004)
- GRACE AND CHARM (2004)
- Happy Girl (2006)
- Kellylicious (2008)
- Reflection (2013)
- And Then (2016)
- Watch Me (2018)
Taiwanese Mandarin Albums
- I Don't Think So (1996)
- Insight (1997)
- You're Not The Same (1998)
- Love Me Or Not (1998)
- Love You So Much (2000)
- Flying (2001)
- Love Appeared (2002)
- You Don't Mean It (2003)
- Eternal Sunshine (2005)
- Chasing Dreams (2010)
Japanese Albums
- GRACE (2002)
Kelly Chen's Movies
- Whatever Will Be, Will Be (1995)
- The Age of Miracles (1995)
- Lost and Found (1996)
- A Chinese Ghost Story: The Tsui Hark Animation (1997)
- Anna Magdalena (1998)
- Hot War (1998)
- Metade Fumaca (1999)—Cameo
- Tokyo Raiders (2000)
- And I Hate You So (2000)
- Lavender (2000)
- Calmi Cuori Appassionati (2001)
- Merry Go Round (2001) – Cameo
- Infernal Affairs (2002)
- Infernal Affairs III (2003)
- Breaking News (2004)
- Super Model (2004) – Cameo
- McDull, the Alumni (2006)
- It's a Wonderful Life (2007)
- An Empress and the Warriors (2008)
- 72 Tenants of Prosperity (2010)
- All's Well, Ends Well 2012 (2012)
- Tales from the Dark 1 (2013)
- The Monkey King (2014)
- Horseplay (2014)
- An Inspector Calls (2015)
- The Monkey King 2 (2016)
See also
In Spanish: Kelly Chen para niños
