Coco Lee

Coco Lee was a Hong Kong-born American singer, songwriter, record producer, dancer, and actress, who made history as the first Asian artist to perform at the Oscars, and she also became the first Chinese brand ambassador for the prestigious luxury brand Chanel. In July 2023, she attempted suicide and died at the age of 48. She was the first Mandopop artist to make her way into the American music industry. When she was nine years old, she moved with her family from Hong Kong to San Francisco. Coco’s father belonged to a Malaysian family, and her mother belonged to a Hong Kong Cantonese family. She graduated from Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School and enrolled in the University of California, Irvine, but dropped out to pursue her singing career. She returned to Hong Kong in 1993 and participated in the New Talent Singing Awards, where she was the first runner-up. She signed with Capital Artists and released her debut Cantonese album in the same year. She then moved to Taiwan and released her first Mandarin album in 1994, which was a huge success. She became one of the most popular and influential singers in the Mandopop scene, releasing more than a dozen albums in Mandarin, Cantonese, and English. She also collaborated with many famous artists, such as Wang Leehom, Jay Chou, JJ Lin, and Khalil Fong. She was known for her powerful vocals, versatile styles, and energetic performances. She sang in various genres, such as pop, dance, R&B, soul, rock, and ballads. Some of her most famous songs include Di Da Di, Do You Want My Love, Before I Fall in Love, A Love Before Time, and Reflection. She also ventured into acting, voice acting, and reality shows. She voiced the lead character Mulan in the Mandarin version of the 1998 Disney animated film and sang the theme song Reflection. She also performed A Love Before Time, the theme song of the 2000 film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, at the 73rd Academy Awards, becoming the first Chinese singer to perform at the Oscars. She also sang at the Michael Jackson & Friends benefit concert in 1999, the NBA All-Star Game in 2000, and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in 2006. She was a judge on Chinese Idol, Young Forever, and Infinity and Beyond. She also participated in I Am A Singer and won the fourth season in 2016. She was the first non-mainland Chinese singer to win the show. She was also the first Chinese ambassador for Chanel and appeared in many commercials and fashion shows for the brand. She married Bruce Rockowitz, a Canadian billionaire and businessman, in 2011. They had a lavish wedding ceremony in Hong Kong, attended by many celebrities and guests. She had two step-daughters from his previous marriage. She was very close to her mother and sisters, who often helped her with her career and personal life. She suffered from depression for several years and attempted suicide at her home on July 2, 2023. She was rushed to the hospital but remained in a coma until she passed away on July 5, 2023. She was 48 years old. Her death shocked and saddened her fans and the music industry. Her sisters announced her death on social media and said that she had been struggling with mental health issues for a long time. They also thanked everyone for their love and support and asked for privacy and respect. She was cremated in Hong Kong and her ashes were buried in Shimenfeng Memorial Park in Wuhan, China, where her father's family originated from. She was remembered as a pioneering singer who bridged the gap between East and West and left a lasting legacy in the music world.