Anita Mui: Number One and Only

Known as the everchanging queen of Cantopop in the 1980s, Anita Mui carved out a reputation as the “Madonna of Asia” as well as Hong Kong's answer to Greta Garbo. Anita rose to fame with Leslie Cheung and Alan Tam during the 80s, and the three of them brought on an idol craze that was never seen before in the short life of Cantonese pop. While female fans wanted to date Leslie, they wanted to become Anita and embrace every one of her personalities. Anita's songs gave a voice to rebellious teens. Little girls mouthing the lyrics to Anita's steamy single "Bad Girl" were punished by their sacrosanct mothers. Older women serenaded to Anita's ballads on unrequited and forbbiden love. For fans, Anita was an outlet of female expression and she stood for something. Teens looking up to this idol knew they could be whatever they wanted to be. When Anita died from lung failure due to cervical cancer on December 30, 2003 at the early age of 40, the people of Hong Kong felt they had lost their "daughter" , who they knew was a brave warrior.

Anita gave thirty five years of her life to showbiz. At a tender age of five, Anita broached into the show business career by performing Chinese opera and pop songs with her sister at nightclubs and restaurants, taking on everything from being the master of ceremonies to the drummer to the singer. Anita left school to perform to support her family, and it was during this time when she had most of her music and dance training. By the time she reached 18 to win the New Talent Singing Contest, Anita already had 13 years of experience onstage, and a charisma, a poise and an ease that none of her peers could emulate. After defeating three thousand contestants to win the top honors, Anita signed with record label Capital Artists and released her debut hit "Homecoming". It was said that composer and lyricist Joseph Koo and James Wong worried about the young starlet's ability to perform a song that required such deep emotion. After the first recording, Koo and Wong knew she was the perfect fit. Koo, a judge for the New Talent Singing Contest, reportedly scored 99 points for Anita, the highest praise he's ever given anyone. Nearly 30 years after they first met, Anita guest performed at Joseph Koo's concert and sang "Homecoming" with effortless emotion and a radiant glow that one could only attribute to perseverance and success.

It wasn't until her signature hit, "How the Years Went By" when audiences and insiders fully embraced this emerging star. Anita rocketed to superstardom when she released "Bad Girl" in 1985 and was then recognized as the Big Sister of entertainment from then on. Breaking album sales records, Anita also went on to hold a then record-breaking 28 consecutive concerts from 1987 to 1988.

Anita’s greatest onscreen achievement was perhaps her unforgettable performance as a tortured ghost in Rouge, co-starring Leslie Cheung, which earned her the prestigious Taiwan Golden Horse Award in 1987. She also collaborated with Jackie Chan on the action movie "Rumble In the Bronx", which was released theatrically in the United States. Following Leslie Cheung's retirement, Anita announced her own in 1991, but kept re-emerging to more records, concerts and movies.

The price Anita had to pay for fame, however, was enormous. It's been said that Anita's poignant acting and singing ability comes from the personal sufferings she's endured since as a child. Her sister, Mui Oi Fong, passed away from cervical cancer. Her family depended on Anita for financial stability. And Anita always found herself heartbroken with the wrong man. The magazines were unforgiving. Rumors never ceased to plague the star, who was accused of being addicted to drugs, undergoing plastic surgeries, being suicidal, being linked to the death of a triad leader, and the list went on.

Despite her success, Anita was not jaded by her stardom. She once said, “Many people have asked me which one I want to be: a happy ordinary person or an eminent star. If I could, I would choose to be a happy ordinary person.” As much as she wanted live a normal life, Anita knew she had too many people to feed and couldn't remove herself away. Even with her superstar status, Anita is always ready to lend a helping hand to her mother and friends, which was shown by the hundreds of close friends that were by her deathbed and at her funeral. It was known that Anita once gave a dear friend a blank check so that he could treat his mother's illness. Anita also took numerous apprentices under her wing, from Andy Hui, Edmond Leung and the Grasshoppers to Denise Ho, never ceasing to give back and contribute to the business of Cantonese pop. With Anita, everyone deserved a chance. As the big sister, Anita brought on pressures to herself to solve others' needs before her own. She felt a strong commitment to the younger generation, her fans and the public.

In 2003 under the pressure of the media, Anita finally announced that she was fighting cervical cancer. She chose to end her memories with her fans with her final live glamour on stage in December 2003, when she held eight concerts at the Hong Kong Coliseum. By the time Anita passed away, she felt she already lived a full life, with perhaps more drama and challenges that others wouldn't have been able to handle. She chose to give the world her best moments. With every aching muscle and every pain in her heart, Anita fought back her fears and got out from bed to get married. Just shortly before she passed away, this legend married the one and only companion who's given her what no else can. Anita married the stage.

Career Highlights
• Released over 40 albums
• Made over 35 domestic films
• 1993 - Established the Hong Kong Performing Artistes Guild
• 1990 - Announced retirement from the stage and a farewell concert with 33 consecutive shows
• 1988 - Best Actress for Rouge
• 1987 - Held a record-breaking 28 consecutive concert shows
• 1986 - Fourth Album "Bad Girl" achieved 8 time platinum selling record.
• 1985 - Holds first concert with 15 shows
• 1984 - Best Supporting Actress for Rumble In The Bronx
• 1982 - Won New Talent Singing Contest with the song "Season Of Wind"

http://www.hkvpradio.com/artists/anitamui/

Here's something interesting i'd like to share but i don't know where to put it. I'm not trying to advertise any websites but here's something i'd like to share to everyone who knows Anita Mui. I'm not supposed to copy and paste those here, but here's the link. Anita Mui Yim-Fong (1963 - 2003)

Rest in peace, Anita! We miss you.

Anita surrounded by friends in her final concert.

I like her music, but something body tell me that she dead all ready. I have a question it have Cancer or what?

She had cervical cancer and passed away in December 2003. Read the above profile. Where are u from? I'm curious how come you didnt know, because it was a very hot topic throughout the world (chinese ppl) that time.

News:

ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS - Anita Mui's mom invited the media for a press conference at a Tsimshatsui hotel at 3pm yesterday. It was a charitable function to raise money for SARS family victims. Over a hundred reporters showed up and seats were arranged for almost 200 SARS victims' family attendees. Until 4pm, not one family showed up. Mrs. Mui finally suggested that perhaps the SARS families do not want to be exposed to the media. But the media didn't come for nothing. Mrs. Mui was so emotional she started crying and yelled at her late daughter's friends. While sobbing, she confessed, "There's 'a woman' who is hogging one of Anita's houses." Later, her son Mui Koo-Ming told us "she" was actually Eddie Lau. Then, Mrs. Mui pointed Anita's assistant Donny bought Anita's parking space and let Eddie move into Anita's place. Donny denies this accusation over the phone and questioned why he would even have that kind of authority. Towards the end of the conference, Mrs. Mui says she is planning a charity dinner for 100 tables for the temple housing Anita's urn on October 10, Anita's birthday.

News:

SING TAO - Under tears yesterday, Anita Mui's mom complained about her late daughter's friends, including a woman who is hogging one of Anita's apartments. Her son Mui Koo Ming told us later that this "woman" is actually Eddie Lau. Apparently Anita owned 2 properties in that building on the 24th and 25th floor. The property on the 24th floor has already been rented out, and Mrs. Mui wanted to renovate the apartment on the 25th floor. But Anita's assistant Donny said it wasn't necessary because the parking space for the 25th floor has already been sold. "Recently I know there is a property being hogged by a woman!" Mui Koo Ming got frustrated and spilled all. "Living there is Eddie Lau. Donny, as a new owner, is hogging the parking space. You (pointing at Mrs. Mui) should tell them (pointing at the press) so they don't have to guess!" Mrs. Mui responded, "It's good to let them guess!" Will Mrs. Mui kick Eddie out? The court already arranged a middleperson to handle questions for the estate, and will also be the one chasing after Eddie for rent. He couldn't be reached for comment and Donny said he doesn't want to hold a public fight with the elderly.

Is andy Lau one of her good friend? I read, that he came to see her for last time, when she was going to die. I have see a lot of movie of Anita, she is so talentued, funny, pretty and very great in kung fu scene. I know in france, she has conquer a place in the heart of Hk movies fan. My favourite movie with Anita is Heroic Trio.

I knew who Anita was before she sadly passed away, i always liked her but i've only just realised how really talented she was. She has a voice like no other, i really like a lot of her songs 'Bing Saan Daai Fo', 'Yiu Nui', 'Waai Nui Haai'just to name a few. Anita always sung covers of songs which in my opinion were better than the originals like 'Stand By Me'. At the moment i'm currently listening to a lot of Anita's duets, my favourites are 'Jeung Bing Saan Pek Hui'with Andy Hui Chi On, 'Hard to Love Each Other'with Jacky Cheung Hok Yau and 'Fong Wa Juet Doi' with Leslie Cheung Kwok Wing.

As an actress Anita was also one of the very best, i've only seen her in a few films but she was one of the first HK actresses i recognised as she was unforgetable in 'My Father is a Hero'.

I just wish that Anita had done something about the cancer sooner, she was so brave especially when she performed her final concert.

i just watched Anita Classic Moment Live 2003 3-DVD Set yesterday. It was nice. It's too young for her to be passed away at 40...

Was a pity she died so young. She could have contributed more to the entertainment industry

News

ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS - October 10 is Anita Mui's birthday. Good friend Alan Tam bought a spectacular birthday present for her in advance - more than HK $800,000 worth. On September 25, Anita's charity organization will hold a fundraiser, hoping to raise HK $1 million to donate to the medical center in Hong Kong University as well as help low-income mothers get free pap smear check ups. According to our sources, Alan bought 15 tables anonymously. His contributions will help the charity meet their HK $1 million target. Is the anonymous donor really Alan Tam? The head of the charity So Choi Kit confirms it's true. "It's certainly Alan Tam. We are so grateful to him. Alan bought 15 tables right away." After Anita's passing, Alan's efforts have been nonstop. When the Hong Kong post office announced they were releasing commemorative stamps bearing Anita's photo, Alan has been helping to promote the cause. Ms. So tells us that Anita's fans have been supportive, purchasing more than 80 tables for the dinner fundraiser. She adds, "Anita must be very happy in Heaven."

http://www.hkvpradio.com/todayonhkvp/newnewsarchive.php

i actually saw her fantasy gig 2002 concert in Atlantic city back then. she was wearing the exact same dress in the pic above. brings me back memories of seeing her the first and also last time. <sniff>

News

Friday September 24, 2004 Hong Kong

SING TAO - Yesterday Anita Mui's charity organization raised HK $500,000 for Hong Kong University. The event was attended by Alan Tam and the head of the charity and Anita's good friend Ms. So, who was seen crying. Alan says that even though Anita regrets not getting more education, she was an educated person. Anita collected lots of books in her home and put youngsters through education. To show his support, Alan bought 15 tables at the event and committed to 3 tables to Anita's mother's charity event on October 8.

http://www.hkvpradio.com/todayonhkvp/newnewsarchive.php

News

Friday September 24, 2004 Hong Kong

ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS - To commemorate Anita Mui's October 10th birthday, a TV special will be played on October 9th featuring the late star's apprentices and friends, such as Alan Tam, Eric Tsang, Kelly Chen, Denise Ho and Andy Hui. On the program, they will talk about their funny moments with Anita. The program's producer Chin Kwok Wai says, "Actually this special is to remember Anita. It is not a show. The special is divided into several segments, as if the audience were watching a music video." A charity dinner will be held this Saturday, but none of the apprentices, such as Andy Hui, will be going. Alan explains, "Everyone has the intention." Will the apprentices be viewed as unsupportive? "No, as long as we have the heart." Alan isn't expecting to show up either because of touring in China, but he is buying plenty of tables to show his support.

http://www.hkvpradio.com/todayonhkvp/newnewsarchive.php

she was really a great singer performer. its so sad that she died just like that..i still listen to some of her old songs..still good ^^

News

Not a single one of Anita's apprentices showed up, Monday September 27, 2004 Hong Kong

ORIENTAL DAILY NEWS - Anita Mui's charity organization held a fundraiser dinner two nights ago attended by the late star's mom and brother. Even though Josephine Siao Fong Fong cannot bear loud noises because of a hearing condition, she went anyway to show her support. After Josephine made a speech about Anita's charitable heart, hundreds of helium balloons were released. Afterwards, Josephine retreated back to the dressing room. "It's so lively out there and I really want to go sit outside, but the loud noises give me a headache. I hope Anita will take care of me from above and don't allow me to stay in bed for a few weeks." Anita's mom listened to others perform Anita's songs and weeped. She acknowledged Alan Tam's support (he bought 3 tables for a Mid-Autumn dinner) but apparently not a single one of Anita's apprentices were there for the fundraiser. Did Mrs. Mui even invite them? "If they have intention you don't need to ask them. They are not outsiders. You only need to ask outsiders." Mrs. Mui still plans on auctioning her personal belongings for charity and will celebrate Mid-Autumn Festival with Anita's and her friends at home.

http://www.hkvpradio.com/todayonhkvp/newnewsarchive.php

Well i thought she was a great performer.. and luved all her music!! ekek i fink alot of her songs and lyrics will still in our heart even though she have gone to a betta place!! =]

oh... i too miss her..she is super star women singer... i still looking her concert now...!!do anyone know where i can get her concert??? thank you

I really like her, she was a great performer. Its sad that she pass away so young.

From what I heard, that Andy quickly bought a car with the money that Anita left him even before she was buried. I never like Andy Hui since I really don't think he could sing but if what the story said is true, then I really dispise Andy. I mean, at least, have the decency to wait until Anita is buried before he went to buy a flashy car. And for all what Anita had done for her apprentices, I'm surpised that none showed up for her charity. So much for love and respect. Truly disgusted me for displaying such disrespect.

She will always be my favourite female singer. Just too talented.

so fast........ it's almost a year, i still can't believe this really happened.
i like her voice, really, truly unique

she's also great as an actress. her best movie to my eyes is 'rouge' (with leslie cheung)

r.i.p.

yea, it's pretty sad that she passed away in a young age due to illness...
R.I.P., anita...

will i believe that she has contributed a lot in her lifetime and her songs will always be around to remind us of her... she was very courageous and charitable... no wonder she had so many friends supporting her....


yeah it was such a sad day when she died.... i love her music, expecially her older ones and the dance ones... she is an amazing performer

I really liked her when she sings or acted in series. She is too young to died, and I feel so sad that I had tears coming out of my eye.

I was in Hk when she passed away...it's so sad when a talented person like her have to go that soon leaving her mother here...hmm...anyway her music and acting were marvelleous....I miss her!!

I discovered her music and her actress career very recently, only few months before she died She was a very good actress (her role in Rouge is excellent) and she had a very special vocal talent, her voice was unic, very rare and seductive.

i heard shes triad
anyone know if thats true?

I like most of anita songs. I didnt know she was going out with andy ? i guess the yr 2003 was a bad yr for the hk celebraties. 3 passed away that yr.

she is my favourite singer star, i love her when i was 9 years old, once i heard she dead with cancer in the morning,i was non stop cries, been cries 3 over nights, i also dreams of her when she die...! i still finding her completed concerts when year's ago... but the warner music company was stopped release her cds. if someone can share her concerts or mtv music to me please PM me. i do appreciated.

It's so sad that she passed away at such a young age. I think one of her sibilings or one of her family members suffered the same disease also. I never listened to much of her albums, but I did watch her movies; they were great. She will always be remembered. R.I.P.

I reckon her acting is very good, never heard of her much because i was too young when she was around.
She will always be known as the cantopop queen, best ever
may she rest in peace

She was a Good entertainer the top of entertainer!!!
I like her shows, it is a shame that she can't let us see some more!!
But i believe we all have her shows in our heart, am i right ?!?

The Queen of Pop...she will always be the one and only leader of Pop music in HK...she was amazing...it was very sad when the news of her departure came...
RIP

love anita mui. i cried when she leaft us.... n i'm going crazy 4 her albumx rite now..

hi to all! i'm new around here...anyway
i'm an anita mui fan from the philippines and i really love anita...i kinda miss her too much since she left.
she was such a gem and one of Hong Kong's finest.

are u all mui fans out here? i hope i can make friends with all of you...

Anita has helped many young artists and had taught singers like Andy Hui to sing. Her singing abilities are good and she had a strong voice that many hong kong singers lack. miss her very much

i have know that i've once been hearing all her songs when i was a teen.. those were the days that she was crowned the queen of canto pop..

it's no deny that though she has had a very common face, but yet, when she stood on the stage and sing.... she was like a fire spark that light up the whole stage.. she sings, she dances... she teases the audiences.. and she dares to speak her mind...

even when come to acting.. she had won some awards too...

life wasnt really good on her... she started singing at such a young age to support the family..

i believe that her only regret was not been able to find 1 true man who could love her and marry her.. i believe that she has wanted to take up the role as a wife and also the role of a mother...

live life with no regret and cherish every moment we have..

my mom has Anita's 2003 live concert thingy....she absolutely adores Anita....
rest in peace...oh great idol...r.i.p. Anita Mui...

anita is a very generous person who does not deserve to leave so early. i miss her...my parents really liked her and i guess their admiration just rubbed off on me....now shes gone...we'll never forget you anita.

Her dead is a big lose for us. I am not very old, but when I was still a young boy I already heard her songs, she just like growing up with me. She is a very good singer and actor.

RIP Anita...

she is one talented singer and dancer...shes a great "see fu" (teacher) to many of her students....

It is a great loss, it was a shock to my mum she used to listen to all her music, so I actually grew up listening to her too. I remember she was the one who wore a similar pointy cone bra top in her concert like Madonna did.

she is a good singer and pretty as well, really miss her. we'll never forget you anita.

i've tried to get my hand on ALL her albums including concerts after she passed away she ..............

If I can I am going to insert some movies of Anita's like one with her and Chow Yun Fat. i.e "100 Ways to Murder Your Wife."

I loved her movies & songs. I think she was a great actress & singer.

i miss her. how long did her have cancer alot of chinese people miss her we never forget her. she still alive in the other side

Time flies... she has left us for a year...
cAN hardly find a female singer as capable as her~

she is a very good singer and actor. she was so famous in the 80th and 90th...

she dead last year because she had cancer. Actually she would play a role in House of Flying Daggers too. But because she discovered she had cancer, that´s y she haven´t appear in the movie

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Annita is my favorite singer.

Anita Mui sang songs at the time when i was a kid and 10 years later i can still remeber every tune. She was a great person considering her family life, too bad she had that cancer, my mum was devasted.
The dvd, 3 disc one, my mum cryed every time she watched the end part of the concert, the last song was my best one of them all. i wish i could of seen at least one of her live concerts.....that would be like a dream come true..especially for my mum.