CoCo Lee, a legendary vocalist from Hong Kong, has died at the age of 48. The singer and actress, who was in various albums, films, and TV series, passed away on July 5, 2023. Her sisters posted the news of her passing on social media. Her sisters said that for years CoCo had struggled with depression, culminating in a suicide attempt on July 2, 2023.
She had been hospitalized but had gone into a coma, and no medical intervention could bring her back from it. This year marks the 30th anniversary of Lee’s singing career, during which she has garnered innumerable honors and produced popular songs, as acknowledged by her sisters in a statement released this year. “She has left a remarkable impression with her outstanding live performances,” the release read. With her strong singing voice, varied skills, and groundbreaking career, Coco forever changed the face of music.
Coco Lee Early Life
Originally from Hong Kong, Coco Lee was born Ferren Lee-Kelly on January 17, 1975. Her mother was a playback singer in Hong Kong, where she grew up, while her father was in the textile industry.
Coco Lee immigrated to the United States at fourteen, joining her family in San Francisco, California. She studied science and technology there at Galileo Academy and psychology at the University of California, Irvine.
Coco Lee was a college student who frequently performed in talent shows and singing competitions. She entered and won Hong Kong’s New Talent Singing Awards in 1993, which catapulted her into the public eye and led to a recording contract with Capital Artists.
Coco Lee Career
In 1994, Coco Lee released her debut album “Coco Lee,” a financial hit in Asia. Her strong vocals made her a hit with Chinese-speaking listeners, and the CD included her singing in Cantonese and Mandarin.
1998 Coco Lee broke out on the worldwide music scene when she sang “Reflection” for the Disney film “Mulan.” She was first heard by a wider Western audience thanks to the success of the English translation of the song. Her popularity grew even more significant after the publication of her debut album in English, “Just No Other Way,” in 1999.
Coco Lee is a multi-talented musician who has recorded albums in genres as varied as pop, R&B, and dance during her career. She has worked with several famous musicians, including the Iglesias brothers (Julio and Enrique) and Lionel Richie.
Coco Lee has tried acting in addition to her singing career. She has performed in several films, including “Master Q 2001” and “The Wesley’s Mysterious File.” She has also appeared on several television programs as a special guest star.
The list of prizes that Coco Lee has won is long and impressive, including the MTV Asia Award, the World Music Award, and the Golden Melody Award. She is considered one of China’s most influential musicians outside.
Coco Lee’s charitable work extends well beyond her music and acting careers. She has donated time and money to several organizations, especially those working to end AIDS, improve the lives of children, and protect the environment.
With “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s martial arts epic Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, she was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2001.
Coco Lee’s early career as a singer, composer, and actor indicates her commitment, enthusiasm, and aptitude in these fields. She has succeeded because she can unite Eastern and Western musical traditions.
Coco Lee’s Net Worth
Coco was reportedly valued at more than $5 million at her death.
Her last song, “Tragic,” came out on Valentine’s Day. She added in another Facebook post a month later that she had broken her leg and needed pelvic and thigh surgery.
Many people, including other artists in Hong Kong, expressed their sadness and astonishment at her untimely passing by commenting on her farewell Instagram post. Weibo, a popular Chinese microblogging service, also saw an uptick in interest, with roughly 1.4 billion views.
Many individuals pointed to Lee’s outwardly positive persona to highlight the need for compassion and understanding in dealing with mental health issues and despair. Others lauded Lee for being a trailblazer in the Asian American community and inspiring young Chinese women everywhere she went.