Maggie Cheung’s “Terrible” Voice Leads to Criticism Before Official Singer Debut
Mainland China’s Modern Sky Records confirmed that Hong Kong actress Maggie Cheung (張曼玉) has recently signed a contract with the indie record label and is preparing to debut as a singer. She is open to exploring different music genres, including electronica and rock music.
Maggie Explores Music Career
The founder of the label, Shen Lihui (沈黎暉), stated, “It is Maggie Cheung’s unique voice and her out-of-the-ordinary taste for music that touched me to sign her.”
Though Maggie is primarily known for her critically-successful films and dignified image, Maggie expressed that she has always had an interest in music. “Ever since I was young in England, to the many years I’ve spent filming movies, I never stopped listening to music. Therefore, music has become a daily habit in my life. In the last few years, I’ve also found an interest of finding new music to listen to. Music has allowed me to experience many different feelings, entertainment, and memories. I am thankful to be able to enjoy so much from something so simple. I really hope that I can share these sentiments through my own music.”
Maggie’s songwriter Song Dongye (宋冬野), who rose to prominence with the indie song “Miss Dong” <董小姐>, revealed that it was Maggie who first approached him about the collaboration. “I didn’t really dare to believe it at first. I felt like I was at the wrong time and space.”
Song Dongye is in charge of arranging and composing the piece, while Maggie will write the lyrics to her new single. Compared to the simple acoustics of “Miss Dong”, Maggie’s new song will be more colorful and preserve her high-class aura. He further revealed that he never realized how talented and professional Maggie is towards music. “I didn’t even know she could sing.” It took Song Dongye and Maggie several months to write out the song, which is still not completed.
“Maggie is talkative, understands music, and we get along really well,” he said. “To be honest, Maggie doesn’t need any more money. She truly loves music.”
However, this is not the first time Maggie dabbled in music. In 2011, Maggie and costar Tony Leung (梁朝偉) performed the theme song for the film In the Mood for Love <花樣年華> at the CCTV New Year Gala. Her deep and rough voice surprised many viewers, but she was nonetheless praised for singing the song live. In 2004, Maggie contributed to the original soundtrack for the film, Clean <清潔>. In 2012, Maggie performed the self-written number “Visionary Heart” with a rock band at an after-party.
Criticism Against Maggie’s Singing Skills
Audio clips of Maggie’s music performance leaked online, and many netizens harshly criticized Maggie’s unpleasant voice. One said, “I can’t handle it anymore. Just go back to acting.” In a survey, netizens were asked if they would anticipate for Maggie’s music debut. A majority of them answered no.
Many industry insiders also expressed their concern over Maggie’s entry in the music industry. A man known as Mr. W said, “She has to change her course because she has a terrible voice. If she continues to do her original style, and she ends up signing with a mainstream, large record label, she will definitely flop. From this angle, I think it is right for her to sign with Modern Sky Records.”
Mr. Q said, “We need to have gimmicks in the music industry today. We have too many [singers], and if we don’t find something special about ourselves, how can we survive? Can you really consider her to be a singer? Maybe she can belt a few notes, but a real singer can do more than that. I feel like Maggie Cheung is just having her fun. She doesn’t need more fame, and she definitely doesn’t need more money. It’s just for fun.”
When asked if Modern Sky Records signed Maggie for an astronomical price, the record label said, “At an appropriate market price.”
Related Video Coverage
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Source: Sina.com
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
maggie cheung’s plastic face looks
like she doesn’t have a real normal face
on her but before maggie use to be very
pretty but now it looks very different from
before like how she looks
She looks anorexic. Scary!!
Yeah that picture makes her look like she weighs about 50 lbs.
she was never pretty to me. cute maybe…
“Ever since I was young in England, to the many years I’ve spent filming movies, I never stopped listening to music. Therefore, music has become a daily habit in my life. In the last few years, I’ve also found an interest of finding new music to listen to. Music has allowed me to experience many different feelings, entertainment, and memories. I am thankful to be able to enjoy so much from something so simple. I really hope that I can share these sentiments through my own music.”
Um, just because you listen to a lot of music doesn’t mean you should sing professionally or share it. Sometimes it’s better just to keep the singing to the shower… Is this a lark? Narcissism? The failure of one’s management team to stop one from making a terrible mistake? Too much FU money?
haha… i know, so weird. 50s now and wannabe a singer? sigh….
Why can’t she? She just does it for interest. She has so much money she doesn’t need the teeny-bobby pop music fans to support her. So, irregardless of her age, she’s free to do it. She doesn’t need the youth or look to attract this demographic. She can sing for those who like her music and voice.
Agree with Kidd. I think Maghie is just exploring her interests, and she’s brave to record an album despite the criticisms she’ll be facing. It’s obvious that she doesn’t need more fame and money at this stage of her life, and she knows she isn’t going to be the next China Idol.
Maybe they are using audio tune or other effects, but her voice sounds garbled?
” In a survey, netizens were asked if they would anticipate for Maggie’s music debut. A majority of them answered no.”
Her voice is not the mainstream popular type. But, she will have a niche market.
Her voice in the performance reminds me of Cher’s voice I heard from a song by Cher.
This is a promotional clip of a song sang by Maggie. Not bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XjlGs5zJyJc
Kidd, that is a heavily processed sound and technically not singing. Cher is an award winning actress and was a singer and she can sing. I don’t think she sounds like CHer. But she does sound like those French women who sing and I admit it is her style which is unique but definitely not singing.
Funn Lim,
“But she does sound like those French women who sing and I admit it is her style which is unique but definitely not singing.”
This is not called ‘style’ or ‘unique’ or having a trademark or being an individual. This is called a copycat. Copying something from other cultures is widely practiced in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, obviously.
And Kidd, her voice is definitely different from that of Cher’s. Please don’t compare a diamond and this kind of stone!
In the video she sounds horrible & reminds me of Do Do Cheng
She is very free; she is not exactly filming either so indulging in a bit of a vanity project like singing being bankrolled by someone is perfectly fine. More so I am sure she is under no illusion that her album will go into Billboard 100 o something like that.
She does not look healthy, she look horrible. What happen to her???
Agree w/ Agnes T
Her singing is as bad as Yang Mi.
No no. Lin Xia Wei is worse singer ever.
Totally agree!!!
Lin Xia Wei is not the worse singer ever. Did you guys ever hear Ruby Lin sing?? Goodness, it was the worse that I have ever heard followed by Yang Mi. Yang Mi sounds like sounds like she has a glob of spit in her throat.
After her divorce, I guess Maggie is trying to fill a void in her life now.
Yes, sadly some cannot have both love and career. Some have one and not the other. Maggie had a successful acting career but a sad love life… I guess she is just trying to do anything that makes her happy which is singing. But sadly, it is not one of her strengths..
Goodness look at her arm! Like a stick
To have an interest in music is one thing but to be talented in music is another thing. For me, acting can take time to be great at it but singing it’s either you can sing or you can’t. It’s as simple as that, we all love and listen to music but can all of us sing? Definitely not. It’s just ridiculous how some actors turn into singers just because they’re successful at acting they think they can dominate the music industry as well. It won’t even help if you take singing lessons when you don’t have the voice for it. Unfortunately that’s what half of the pop singers in HK is filled with, actors turned singers who can’t even sing in the first place. Harsh but true.
no, the actors turn singers only make a very small amounts. there are some that were on the path of singers but turned into artistes (eg. Fred, Ruco, Edwin)
When I meant successful I’m not talking a out financially they gain a huge fanbase for example Linda Chung. That girl went platinum on her last record and not trying to hate but she’s not as talented as she think she is. Even today in news I see a lot of TVB artistes who only focused on acting are starting to take singing lessons in hopes of becoming a singer just because they’re win the acting industry. It wouldn’t help anyways.
List some TVB artistes who are taking singing lessons.
Chung had taken singing lessons way be4 her entry into the industry. & Chung is aware that ppl don’t take her seriously.
“Many TVB television artists tried to break into the music industry, but several of them couldn’t get away from the fate of being an “one album singer”. Linda Chung is committed to break this fate. Aside from her desire of holding her own concert, her ultimate goal is to become a singer-songwriter. LindaBB said: “I don’t want people to think I’m just playing around.” Linda liked music since childhood, she enjoys humming music in the shower the most. She said: “I remember I already started composing music when I was around 9. At the time, my parents heard me hum a melody and asked me what song I was humming? I answered them: ‘I composed it!'” Based on this, Linda ran for Miss Chinese International in 2004 and entered the entertainment circle. ”
http://asianfanatics.net/forum/topic/795021-linda-chung-transforms-into-singer-songwriter-composes-theme-song-of-her-new-series/
Dont be quick to judge like Funn, Clamine, MW.
Sharon Chan, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong…etc. there are plenty others but that’s not the point.
It’s not really about singing lessons but they don’t have the talent for it and that’s fine if they don’t since I can’t sing either and no matter how many singing lessons I’ll take I know I can’t make it to the top. It doesn’t matter if Linda started singing lessons when she was 9, there is a huge difference from taking lessons and be a singer. Many people take singing lessons but they still don’t have the talent or ability to succeed as one. Like I said being passionate about it is one thing but being a singer is another thing. Being a professional singer is different than being an actor, you either have the voice for it or you don’t and she obviously don’t. Sure she may be a great composer but most definitely not as a singer.
I’m not quick to judge, it’s the truth. She seems like a sweet girl but that shouldn’t interfere with other people’s opinion that she’s just not a great singer. I think what she meant when she said no one takes her seriously because she knows that she only have so many fans supporting her because she’s an actress not a singer.
are u saying that just b/c there taking singing lessons, its b/c they cant sing? Wow.
& at least, LC is better than that Rebecca Black chick, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber.
And Nancy and Sharon isn’t that bad.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xkd-EquuxD0 <– Nancy singing Joey's song.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8EUrsMsUbM8 <– Bounty Lady's subtheme song.
Have a listen.
No that’s not what I meant I’m saying actors take singing lessons because they think they can dominate the music industry as well just because they’re acting and sang a couple of theme songs. That’s just not the way it works, I don’t care if they want I take singing lessons but to become a professional singer? You got to be kidding me, thousands of people take singing lessons but can they all become singers? Nope.
Sure yet may sound decent because it’s studio, typical voices…nothing spectacular. As much as I dislike Lady Gaga and JB I gotta say they got more musical talent than Linds. That girl is so off key whenever she sings live and it seemed like she can’t even fulfill the basic requirement of being a professional singer…you can literally hear her breathe in and out whether she sings on record or live. Not professional at all…at least not as a singer.
Let’s see u sing then. Go ahead and sing 1 of Lind’s song! If not, u shouldnt be all words, and no actions.
Lol so I have to be a good singer to tell if someone can sing or not? I don’t have to be a dancer to tell if someone can dance or not. It’s common sense dude come on. Just because I may be a bit too harsh on your idol don’t need to take it personally. Besides the idiom “Action speaks louder than words,” doesn’t apply to judging one’s talent….it’s not like I’m confessing any sort of love towards her, it doesn’t make any sense.
The only decent actor turned singer in TVB that deserves the success is probably Raymond. It’s like how Demi is one of the few Disney stars that can actually sing. I like Linda as an actress but a singer? Not a fan especially when she doesn’t have the talent to be one.
@Jstorch
Agreed. There are actors who are bad, or so so at acting, who stink up the place even more when they decide they want to become singers. Maggie is only joining the list.
Please like Sammi Cheng, Nicholas Tse, Kelly Chen, Jackie Cheung, Tony Leung, Carina Lau and the late Leslie Cheung are so rare. These people can both sing and act at a very high scale.
I don’t think Carina Lau is a good singer vs. the others as mentioned in your post. I haven’t heard her singing much. Nicholas Tse and Tony Leung are okay in singing only and that is why they don’t pursue their singing careers. I would classify Leslie Cheung and Jackie Cheung as top singers, and Sammi Cheng and Kelly Chan are reasonably good singers, but not the rest.
I never knew Carina sings. I agree with the rest besides Nicholas….I don’t find him too appealing as a singer nor a actor but that’s just my opinion anyways.
Yea, Carina did sing and it was not that great but not too bad. I think that is why she gave up on it because she knew her singing is not good enough. I think Tony Leung’s singing is pretty good but I believe he knew that he should focus on one more than the other, so he chose acting which I think he knows is his stronger skill while Jacky Cheung chose singing.
I don’t think Sammi’s acting is very strong. Her singing is not bad but not everyone is a legend like Leslie Cheung or Anita Mui when it comes to singing and acting. I also don’t think Carina’s acting or singing is strong either. I did think Tony Leung had potential to sing well enough to be above average but he focused on his acting career and Jacky focused mostly on his singing career. I just think that Maggie Cheung’s singing comes off as being way worse than it is when compared to her strong acting skills and aurora that she had when she was in her prime. Now she looks really desperate for attention.
Ow..that voice sounded like my brother imitating aliens to scare me when we were younger.
it is just her style of singing,sorry to say but she sings like a ghost whispering in my ears.
Mid life crisis.
More like ‘she has all the money and time in the world to do whatever the heck she wants because she doesn’t really have to work ever again so she’s free to do things for pleasure so if singing is what she enjoys then singing is what she’s going to do’. Not everyone who tries to do something different is going through a mid life crisis. Maybe it’s the people who keep doing the same things over and over again who are boring and lacking in spontaneity.
Please. I wasn’t just talking about Maggie Cheung taking up a hobby like singing and pursuing it ‘professionally’. I was talking about her entire look and how unhealthy she looks and how rough around the edges she is compared to when she was younger. Being in the entertainment industry is hard work so it wouldn’t be surprising that she’s filling other voids.
She sounded like a man whose voice is pulling a bull up a tree. And she looks anorexic. Can’t help but to think maybe she’s one of those HK celebrities who take drugs.
I listened to that promo clip llwy12 mentioned. And that is absolutely NOT her real voice. My goodness. No one speaks/sings like that without fidgeting with autotune and whatnot.
I think we need to hear her actual voice (as in no funky autotune, no “ghost” style singing) before judging whether or not she can sing. And I did some Youtube search and came across this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ul0LfxRFiQE). I also found a clip of her (I think it’s her) with Tony singing. http://youtu.be/XseBvGyk3TE). I don’t know why she thinks she needs to sing that song like that but in that Tony clip, her singing voice seems decent. And those who are saying that it is her style is definitely right.
Was that Maggie singing? I thought it was a lady boy! omigosh! Sorry, to say she sounded like something out of a horror movie where female characters spout lines in a male voice. Very creepy indeed!
really awlful voice! Gosh I never though she could sound like that! >_<
Er…
She sounded like a robot.
Did she really have a deep voice?
Saw her interview in English. She sounded okay to me.
Maggie needs a little meat on her bones. Being skinny and slim is one thing, being anorexic is another.
I like Maggie, always did, always probably will, but she is no singer.
I have to say one thing though, she is just following in a line of tradition in HK entertainment. That tradition being a long line of actors who became *singers*, who can’t sing if their very lives depended on it.
That is why people in HK like Carina Lau, Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Sammi Cheng, Nicholas Tse and the late Leslie Cheung are considered gems. They both sing and act on a high scale.
Maggie needs a little meat on her bones. Being skinny and slim is one thing, being anorexic is another.
I like Maggie, always did, always probably will, but she is no singer
I have to say one thing though, she is just following in in a line of tradition in HK entertainment. That tradition being a long line of actors who become *singers*, who can’t sing if their very lives depended on it.
That is why people like Carina Lau, Tony Leung, Jacky Cheung, Sammi Cheng, Nicholas Tse and the late Leslie Cheung are considered gems. They both sing and act on ahigh scale.
Horrible singing.
Well, once she does not fancy herself as a singer, and just want to make some noise on a CD, while making mad money, like most of them do, Alols, haha, I see nothing wrong with that.
she dont look healthy.
LOL why embarrasses herself on stage?
OMG, she really sings BAD. Is she a man or what??? Voice so deep and coarse.
lol my ears
How I wish I didn’t have to hear that crap… that old chow is still in the headlines for doing jack?!?!?
@Jstorch
@HeTieShou
So true what you all said. So many singers around the world have countless awards that could and should have been given to more deserving singers. It is not about talent anymore, or the abilityto have a really great voice that is melodious and can hit high and low notes. It is about selling sex, a handsome or beautiful face and a great body. Sometimes not so great body.
Just look at singers like Justin Beiber, Avril Lavigne, Mick Jagger, Britney Spears, Miley Virus, the two Simpson sisters, the hip hop pose and the list goes on and on.
May I ask why you labelled Avril Lavigne with these other singers? I do not know about the other singers, but I heard Avril Lavigne sing live before two times, on two different occasions. She is someone who sounds close to how you would hear it on a CD.
Let Me Go Live version (1st time performing it live in Vancouver): http://youtu.be/HNNbue0GQX4
CD version: http://youtu.be/AqajUg85Ax4
@Bubblez
I listened to your clips
Avril is still not the best singer there is but I must admit, there has been some improvement.
When she first burst on the scene, she would hop madly around, shout and scream, and that to me, and many millions throughout the world, was not singing. It seems like she has settled down and has focused on improving. Kudos for her.
cause someone is not golden voice singer, it does not mean that they cannot tell the difference between a warbler and a decent singer. Same with if someone cannot dance. They still can spot good dancing when they see it.
hi there
1. my ears my ears!
2. Maggie should just do what she is “capable” of.
3. but definitely not singing, if you call that “singing”.
maybe she is malnourished therefore cannot hold her voice well? she certainly looks way better when heavier.