Faye Wong is an influential Chinese singer, songwriter and actress usually referred to as a world diva. Highly popular in Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, she has also gained a large following in Japan. In the West she is best known for starring in Wong Kar-wai's films Chungking Express and 2046.
Background
Since 1995 Faye Wong has recorded mostly in her native Mandarin, often combining alternative music with mainstream Chinese pop. In 2000 she was recognized by Guinness World Records as the Best Selling Canto-Pop Female. Following her second marriage in 2005 she withdrew from the limelight, but returned to the stage in 2010 amidst immense interest in the Sinosphere.
While she has collaborated with international artists such as Cocteau Twins, Wong recorded only a few songs in English, the most famous is "Eyes on Me" – the theme song of the video game Final Fantasy VIII.
Education
She attended modeling class but soon lost interest in it, so her father introduced her to a music school. Faye loved singing right from the start. She took part in many school events and her confidence grew as she gained much encouragement and recognition for her joyful, enthralling voice.
After high school, she was accepted into Fu-King University, but her father brought her to Hong Kong before she could begin her varsity term.Following a brief modeling stint, she began singing lessons with Tai See-Chung, who was also from Mainland China and had previously tutored Hong Kong superstars Anita Mui, Andy Lau, Leon Lai and Aaron Kwok.
Career
She began her career at the age of eighteen years old, when she was introduced by one of her singing teachers. Cinepoly took interest in her, and decided to contract her.
In 1989, Faye Wong released her first studio album, which was self titled after her "Shirley Wong" name. Her first album would pull out one hit, "However That Day".
The following year, the albums "Everything" and "You're The Only One" would hit the market.
She was very unsatisfied with her career and decided to move to New York to take time off. This period would highly affect Faye Wong's future in musical sound and eventually shatter her R&B only image.
Writing music for her upcoming album, she decided to release one more album. She returns from New York and releases "Coming Home" under her favored name, Faye Wong. An album that shook the Canto-Pop music scene forever, and put Faye at the top of the charts. Her song, "Easily Hurt Woman", would become a phenomenal success.
In 1994, she took an important step in her career and sang her first album entirely in Mandarin titled "Mystery". Her song "I'm Willing" once again blew the charts to the roof and is a very popular song among fans.
In 1996, she took full creative control with her album titled "Restless". An album which has become one of the most favored and beloved albums by both fans and Faye Wong personally. She decided to move over to EMI to release her newest albums. She released her second self-titled album in 1997. Featuring a ton of chart hits.
She would continue her successful career contracted under EMI with 1998's "Scenic Tour" album, with a very popular cover art. Her "Lovers And Strangers" album released in the same year of 1999 has received worldwide attention.
In 2003, Faye got contracted with Sony to release her new album "To Love". It became an instant hit. She is currently in the process of working on her next album, and as well upcoming film features she's currently involved in.
Religion
Faye is a very religious person, a devout Buddhist.