Since last year, City Telecom’s (CTI) Ricky Wong (王維基) has been busily recruiting artists to join the new Hong Kong television station. It was rumored that Ricky offered a vast 7-figure sum to persuade former TVB actress, Leila Tong (唐寧), to join CTI recently. Allegedly, Leila’s filming fee increased by $20,000 to $30,000 HKD per episode. It was understood that Leila already signed a contract with CTI last month. In high spirits, Leila was interested in purchasing an environmentally friendly car to reward herself.
The day before yesterday, Leila and her manager appeared at a car dealership in the Wan Chai district. Looking through the glass doors for a lengthy amount of time, Leila finally entered the car dealership to ask some questions. The trio chatted for a few minutes, after which Leila left without test driving any vehicles.
In a telephone interview, Leila admitted that she intended to spend $600,000 HKD on a new car. However, the car that she had in mind, a 7-passenger environmentally friendly car, was not launched in Hong Kong yet.
Asked whether she intended to join Ricky Wong’s CTI television station, Leila indicated that she did not wish to respond on the matter at this time.
Source: Oriental Daily
Jayne: I am interesting in seeing Leila again. Perhaps motherhood will add a new dimension and make her performances more mature than the cute roles she had played.
So perhaps CTI’s first two modern dramas may star: Joe Ma, Frankie Lam, Kenix Kwok, and Leila Tong. Interesting line-up.
Tags: City Telecom, CTI, Leila Tong, Ricky Wong
omg!!! i love her damn lot!!! yes finally she is back!!!
She looks quite different in the photo.
I am already bored with the lineup. Hopefully the stories will be fresh.
I don’t see how this company can maintain itself with high salaries to everyone. The danger is after a while they can’t cope and merges with some other company.
I agree and really wonder if this company will be able to last if they pay such high salaries to everyone???
I really hope this new company will make the effort to hire good script-writers and overall production crew too, maybe they will actually have a chance to take over the long reign tvb had created. Good stars ain’t enough, we need good story good directing etc. Gonna hope for the best, I think hong kong is sick of tvb now anyway
It will be just another ATV
ATV indeed.
I also think that it may turn out like ATV,but don’t want to jinx it…
I really hope this new company will make the effort to hire good scriptwriters and overall production crew…. Agree!! Good artistes will not be able to act their best without the support of good scripts and good producers.
I have a feeling Producer Jonathan Chik and his favorite scriptwriting partner, Zhou Xuming will be sought out by Ricky Wong’s CTI. Wouldn’t be surprised if Jonathan joins, as he seems ready to leave TVB, hoping to find a place that can suit his higher artistic dreams.
Since CTI indicated interests in going beyond normal TVB caliber and producing high-quality works, this may suit Jonathan’s needs.
So is Joe Ma confirmed to join CTI? I would’ve thought he might not since Virginia Lok helped him out with the Rose Chan scandal.
I’m interested in how they’ll work after the first 2 series they film. Will they keep recycling the same leads how ATV does?
TVB keeps recycling their “first lines” too…all you see now is raymond, kate, fala, bosco…none of them can act by the way!
Well, first of all, I do think they can act- especially Raymond and Bosco.
Also, for TVB, they have a lot more leading actors that they actually do rotate when they air. Raymond, Fala, and Bosco were only in 2 series each last year which I don’t think is really that much. When I used to watch ATV series, I would notice that it would always have Pinky Cheung, Gilbert Lam, and a few others whose names I don’t remember, because they didn’t really have that many actors signed to them. That’s why they would always be reusing the same cast and that’s what I’m thinking might happen to CTI.
IDK about Fala, but Raymond Lam definitely can act. I don’t know what happened to him now though. He used to be pretty good. Maybe it’s the roles that he’s being given.
And Bosco Wong also can act. Kate Tsui has improved tremendously. As for Fala Chen… lol
Every can act but compared to normal good acting, these not-so-young TVB actors and actresses’s are “like-beyond-heaven.”
Look at Raymond Lam in his two movies, the pearl and the snake one, none of other actors or actresses could beat his acting. I guessed even Jet Li and one of the Twins must have said “a perfection”when mentioning Raymond’s acting skill
She look more mature now since she become mother,let hope she can start some serial with Felix Wong if Felix join too.
WHO BECOME MOTHER?? YOU MEAN NATALIE??
SORRY I MEAN LEILA*
Wow… they say that woman with 1 child looks smoking hot and I agree. Leila looks so mature and sexy
Good luck to her.
Can someone confirmed if iCable, NowTV and City Telcom channels can be allow broadcasts in Guangdong province, China and Macau, China? TVB and ATV can….
It may help these tv stations expand their audience viewing area instead of centering in Hong Kong.
Another talent goes to CT! Now you get Ruco and Raymond Wong too…
Ruco signed 11 years contract. Wait for 11 more years my dear
.
Maybe we’ll make it to seeing both Ruco and Raymond W being the top siu sangs of TVB. I am waiting for that day.
Can’t wait to see the first series from CTI. Been waiting for Kenix Kwok and Leila Tong to act in series again for a while now!!
In order to survive, I think CTI needs to invest in training people via acting school – like TVB’s acting classes – because that’s where all the true actors lie in my opinion. Also, of course, seeking out talented script writers, producers etc (and not just stealing from TVB, I’m sure there are many talented people in HK)
Hong Kong has an acting academy/university. That’s where Mandy Wong graduated from. But having your own acting school does help, as it’s much cheaper to afford for the students.
Mandy Wong is a perfect example of a very good new actress. She has been good since her first series.
Look forward to see how CTI work in their first series. If it’s failed, ppl will say wat about CTI, even more curious.
great news… luv her
I could look at that 24/7. Direct TV please pick it up, I want choices.
First they need to set up a company in the USA and try to persuasive to Direct Tv
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I’m digging Leila’s new look. She does look mature.
Loveeeee Leila. Didn’t like TVB partially because they didn’t treat her well.
I think she is more talented than the current fadans. She’s been with TVB since forever (first seen her in 40 Something with Adam Cheng and Amy Chan).
Now she’s all grown up and a mother. Looking very good! Hope she can shine at CTI.
3 new stations, even they may not get 10 points rating, they will cause some damage to TVB.
Whats the reason why TVB never liked Leila? She wasn’t that bad, had the looks and acting chops. So what went wrong?
She denied to sign contract with them and showed to the public this. TVB treated Leila not really bad. She had 1st and 2nd leading roles in many series.
Smart move for not selling her soul to the “devil” if not she wouldn’t be able to reach heaven by now, LOL.
Wonder why she married her husband since he is not rich I presume and not good looking. She could’ve done so much better…
@ exoidus
It’s not always look and money. Leila is attracted to men with talent. Her husband is a theater director.
Most actresses married rich, but it is not always true.
Example Korean actress Lee Yoo Ri married to a theology student whom she meet during Bibble studies.
Pretty average joe guy, even if he graduate being studies theology, can’t make much money anyways.
Also Korean actress Jang Young Nam, she married a teacher.
I sure there are other Korean actress who married normal men who not in the circle or rich.
Leila doesn’t want to sign with TVB, but I also don’t think TVB treated Leila that bad. Her roles are always pretty big despite never signed.
I think she looks fantastic now, and will forever be blessed with youthful looks when during 20s she will find it a curse but as she gets older she will find it a blessing. And I don’t think it is TVB’s loss for her to sign with someone else. I just don’t see her as a mega leading star that those networks need but will be useful as the supporting type. I feel she doesn’t have that charisma and frankly whilst she can act I am bored with her performances most of the time. I feel with or without her won’t be a huge factor.
She had some good roles with TVB. She just sort of disappeared! Now I know into motherhood!! Anyway good to see her again. Like others wonder how CTI can keep offering these high salaries.
Love Leila!!!
I miss Leila!! She looks gorgeous, can’t wait to see her first series with CTI!