Shirley Yeung Leaves TVB After 13 Years
Since winning the 2001 Miss Hong Kong pageant, Shirley Yeung (楊思琦) has been a favorite in TVB and was heavily promoted until her public image plummeted in 2011. Shirley suddenly broke up with boyfriend of nine years, Gregory Lee (李泳豪) after becoming pregnant with diver Andy Ng‘s (吳帥) baby. Later breaking up with Andy, Shirley quietly gave birth in Los Angeles and returned to Hong Kong in 2012 to resume her acting career. TVB slowly reduced her work and cast her in primarily low-profile variety shows. With little incentive left, Shirley decided to leave TVB after 13 years.
During recent contract negotiations, TVB reportedly wanted to cut back Shirley’s salary with few benefits. Shirley disclosed the reason for not renewing her management contract, “The decision to leave this time has nothing to do with salary. It’s not like what the reports have been saying. In fact, they raised my salary. However, we haven’t come to an agreement on filming so I made this decision first.”
In the last two years, Shirley only appeared in variety shows or talk shows, and has disappeared from the station’s drama productions. The 35-year-old actress feels that her opportunities at TVB are limited and hopes to try new things outside of the station. Although staying with TVB may be a more comfortable and secure position for the single mother, Shirley believes in her own ability to be able to balance work and family responsibilities.
Should Shirley need to travel to Mainland China or overseas for extended work assignments, she already has backup childcare plans for her daughter, Krystal. Shirley does not mind being separated from Krystal in order to earn income to support the family. She said, “My mother will take care of my daughter. With today’s technology, we can communicate with the phone and children will know what’s happening.”
Leaving a familiar work environment is not an easy matter. Despite the risks and unclear road ahead of her, Shirley is determined to succeed and head towards a fresh direction.
Source: ihktv.com
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
That’s too bad things turn out this way. Wish her luck and success in the future. Hopefully someone will give her an opportunity as she still need to raise her daughter alone.
It’s definitely a tough decision for her to make but she is brave and strong. Wishing her all the best in her future undertakings. Keep going, See Kei Mui.
All the best to Shirley! She has a girl to raise so it’s definitely not easy and if TVB ain’t going to help her, then you gotta look elsewhere. The scandal definitely did not help her but from a loyalty perspective, TVB should have done a little bit more for her. But from a business standpoint, if she isn’t profitable, then you got to cut her loose. Tough situation, but again all the best to Sze Kei Mui! Add oil!
She has made a right decision. Best wishes for her.
“The decision to leave this time has nothing to do with salary. It’s not like what the reports have been saying. In fact, they raised my salary. However, we haven’t come to an agreement on filming so I made this decision first.”
Raised her salary but no works. That’s one bridge Sze Kei Mui Mui can’t afford to burn. What goes around comes around.
In other words, she was sacked. I mean no point in staying if she is not filming. Why would she leave if she has higher salary? The reason is simple. They did not offer her and they are not bothered with promoting her anymore. In effect, sacked. Her future outside of TVB is even more uncertain. She has to start from the very bottom.
Uhh…no she wasnt sacked.They kept her but didnt come to an agreement for filming dramas, so then she decided to leave…how is that sacking? The reason why she left even for a higher salary is because of her opportunities in the company…I mean, if you look at her future in she stayed with tvb, if they continue to just make her appear in low publicity variety shows, even with a higher pay how many years do you think she can continue with just appearing on variety shows?? She’s 35, by the time she decides to head out there for better opportunities she’d be considered ‘old’ and marketless. So basically staying with tvb would mean no improvement and a career that would be going no where, and in the end she’d have to leave anyway to raise a living for her family.
not sack but tvb just dont need her anymore…she have no drama,tvb just want that she make a decision for herself to leave,so that it does look less cruel for the outside world,and tvb are not the one to blame.
Agree with Kolo; TVB indirectly forces her to leave by herself. TVB is foxy and cruel. Her acting and beauty is a lot better than Priscilla Wong why not giving her the opportunity to get money to raise her daughter.
Agree with Clementine. She did not get sacked but she simply resigned for her own benefit. It’s just like Michael Tse leaving TVB because he knew that his Laughing Gor days were over and he wanted to explore other opportunities, or Fala going to the film industry.
To Anthony, I do not agree with you because Fala and Michael can filming dramas but Shirley can’t that why she must leave.
Sorry for not being clear but my meaning was that Shirley wanted to explore other options aside from doing variety shows. Michael Tse and Fala’s case is just a broad example
It is called constructive termination. You’re an actress but you’re not given roles to film but still retain a salary… what’s the point of staying? It is as if the company says we want you here but we won’t use you. That is sacking, constructively. Whatever she is saying is just to save face and not burn the bridges. If the terms are good and she has roles to act, why would she even leave?
agree with funn,i have seen this sort constructive termination before,this has happened to my friend in a IT company.
Funn, I just dont get whats the point of you acting all smart and claiming she is sacked. Even if she is, cant you just wish her all the best like the others do and stop making her departure looks even worse.
because it is what it is. Why pretend it isn’t? Her career is ruined and if I may say, unjustly by one bad decision. The company which made her made no attempts to assist her. She had to make a choice rather than being openly kicked out. Why pretend otherwise? Bluntly put she is washed out in TVB and in HK. She needs a new start and she took a wise decision to move on from a company that effectively pushed her out. It won’t be easy for her. That is reality. and her departure is worse than it looks.
@jake2,this is not acting smart but just giving our opinion.the fact that you are acting nice doesnt mean that we have to do the same as you.funn is right it is what it is.
Agreed!
Didn’t TVB give her a role in the Ruco-Linda drama? Anyway, her leaving is no loss to TVB. Kolo is right, TVB was indirectly forcing her to resign on her own accord so that they won’t be accused of being the bad guys. It happens in the working world all the time.
Bluntly put she is washed out in TVB and in HK.
^ Right, I rather see her than the uprising fadans anyday. And who really cares about an artiste’s private life?
Gregory Lee’s father may have something to do with Shirley not getting more drama offers from TVB. All actresses should be careful of that Lee family!!!
Shirley did say before that her primary source of income came from mainland so that’s where her primary focus should be now. She can expand into singing, films and more endorsements.
If Lee Ka Ding was THAT influential, his son would’ve been main lead since a long, long time ago. TVB won’t even stage an interview with Shirley to cry & lied that she wasn’t pregnant.
It’s simple. Her credibility fell hard, her acting and singing was never good in the first place. TVB can’t give her lead/second lead roles anymore and she probably don’t want to settle for anything less.
But at least they are parting on amicable basis, so in the future, Shirley might return to TVB again.
It’s easier to prevent someone (especially a woman in a sexist society) from getting roles than it is to get someone (who can’t act) roles. No doubt, Lee Ka Ding plays politics as much as possible where Shirley is concerned. Seeing how the entire family blasted Shirley shows how much of a financial/$$$$ loss it was for them all.
BTW, I’ve noticed that the son (Gregory) has been getting more kalafe roles lately. Maybe because the Lee family lost a key source (Shirley) of income? haha 🙂
Gregory is actually really cute (in my opinion). I think TVB should give him more chances :S. Usually when he’s on screen, he only has a few lines….it’s hard to determine his acting skill.
I doubt Shirley was the source of income for Lee family. From what I read , Gregory had a side job in car racing or something, and he was the one that paid for everything when Shirley was around. He treated her like a princess. I’m sure Shirley contributed too but probably not as much as some claimed to be.
TVB can’t give her lead/second lead roles anymore and she probably don’t want to settle for anything less.
—————————————————————
Don’t quite agree. Shirley has not been cast in any drama series in the last few years ever since giving birth to Kristal. I am sure Shirley did not expect to act 1st lead roles any more. She will be happy to act second or third lead roles, or even supporting roles.
“TVB can’t give her lead/second lead roles anymore and she probably don’t want to settle for anything less.”
Shirley’s role in ICAC Investigators 2014/廉政行動 was way too small and did not have enough screen time.
“Gregory had a side job in car racing or something, and he was the one that paid for everything when Shirley was around.”
His own father said Gregory is poor. His own mother took all of Gregory’s earnings and still complained that it was not enough. Shirley had to pay off his credit card bills and more.
http://www.jaynestars.com/news/lee-ka-ding-gregorys-worst-sin-is-being-poor-shirley-yeungs-mother-worships-gold/
http://www.jaynestars.com/news/shirley-yeung-reveals-true-reasons-for-break-up-i-lied-to-gregory-lee-that-i-was-pregnant/
“She can expand into singing, films and more endorsements.”
I am afraid she is facing career death. She was never big enough to command all these. What she needs now is a new start, from the bottom.
And I don’t think the father had such influence. I just feel the public never warmed up to her.
“And I don’t think the father had such influence. I just feel the public never warmed up to her.”
No doubt, the Lee family will try to ruin Shirley whether they have the influence or not. Otherwise, they would not publicly blast her. If they do it publicly, why wouldn’t they do it privately?
The public warmed up to her enough for her to get more roles before the incident.
Yes her acting career is pretty much dead but if she tries other careers it might be ok since she won Best Supporting Actress before and she’s starred in so many TVB Dramas in the past. More or less her own celebrity profile is going to give her a boost start on her new career.
“Gregory Lee’s father may have something to do with Shirley not getting more drama offers from TVB. All actresses should be careful of that Lee family!!!”
Are you for real? It’s about time someone mentioned Gregogry Lee, the victim.
She is so cute! LOL!
LOL!
can someone pls post a picture of Gregory? I’ve no clue who he is? Is he an actor?
Search for “Gregory Lee 李泳豪” and click on a pic for tons of pics.
http://www.jaynestars.com/tag/gregory-lee-wing-ho/
Gregory Lee was in Always and Ever/情逆三世缘 and ICAC Investigators 2014/廉政行動 2014 (ep4, I think).
Wish you the best. Stay strong, Shirley!
wonder where her next journey is? My job is comfortable and secure too but i hate my job and been wanting to do something else but the income is risky and unstable. I don’t have the courage to quit my job. I need to learn from Shirley. decision is hard.
Doubt Shirley would decline TVB’s offer if she weren’t confident she could do better.
That is why I always make sure to choose a career that I like and not just think of the income only. It is hard to switch careers but it is doable. Maybe she should switch careers and many artists have done that and are successful.
HTS and MW: my comment was more about myself. I’m facing career crisis. I have a job and it’s secure with good benefits. Many people work at my company b/c of those reasons but I’m starting to feel tired and i hate my work. I want to quit and do something i enjoy but if i make this switch then I might not have a stable income because I don’t know if i will be successful at it but I’m not brave enough. That’s why I’m proud of Shirley, is very high risk for her to switch career when she has a baby already.
“That is why I always make sure to choose a career that I like and not just think of the income only.”
Your right, but for Shirley the problem is her and she’s the problem to her many problems.
You’re
LOL! It rhymes. It ain’t finish till the cow comes home. LOL!
Switch careers.
Glad she made the right decision. She should move on with it. We’ll support her best of luck.
She’s left with nothing else. TVB is not giving her any series to film. Variety shows don’t compare to series; hence, she can’t sit around and wait for jobs to land. Mainland market is her best bet now, but it aint easy.
Agreed, TVB is passive agressively stunting Shirley’s acting career by not giving her more acting opportunities.
Shirley can even write about her life (how she was used and abused, her daughter, etc.) in a song (like Taylor Swift) or a movie/drama script. 🙂
Not suffering in silence can be quite powerful and therapeutic.
She may find more jobs in China, like Samuel Chan. His career wasn’t quite smooth with tvb but look at him now!
She can consider getting a 9-5 job, like Anne Heung or start her own company, like Marianne Chan.
Agreed, there are many new/small production companies looking for talent.
Agree, although I wouldnt compare her to others, I dont think it’d be the end of the world now that she has left tvb..as long as she doesnt give up and keeps trying she’ll eventually get to a place where her career is considered stable/better and life is happier. But as the saying goes, no pain no gain.
Yes and if it does not work out, then maybe she should use her saving to start a business like Halina Tam. Halina is happy and successful in her new business since being in the circle did not work out for her.
You cannot compare her to Sammul Chan. Sammul is more talented and has way more fans so of course will succeed in China. I think another thing that you guys forget to mention is luck and connections as well because those are 2 main factors that many of us regardless of the field need to succeed. Many are not talented but have connections which open up opportunities for them to succeed. It is tough and hard to dive into Mainland China with no manager or anything, but still possible. Wallace Huo did that and look at him now. But of course not everyone is so lucky.
Sammul was different. He had potential as an actor plus very little negative rumors.
He’s not like Shirley who dumped her ex publicly because she was preggo with another man’s baby. AND THEN had another fall out with her new man because he was unfaithful and ridden with debt. Her reputation is tarnished beyond belief. Not to mention she never could rely on her acting to gain fans. Her income solely relied on endorsement and commercial deals back then.
If an actress has a tarnished reputation, she could still hope to keep her jobs if she has skills/fans to rely on, i.e., Gillian, many Taiwanese/Chinese celebrities, Cecilia Cheung, Isabella Leong, etc. But Shirley doesn’t have either.
It’s a rough road no matter where she goes now, but I’m not sure leaving TVB is her best bet.
wow i don’t really like how she films not just saying
that good luck for her for leaving tvb after 13years
she is going to coming back to tvb???? just asking
>.<
I wish her the best of luck. I think leaving TVB is a good idea. She needs to broaden her horizon.
Mainland companies just care about beauty and acting so that she may be successful in mainland market because her acting is good and her appearance is attractive and beautiful. Even though she is now 35 years old, she looks much younger her age that attract many producers want to work with her. In an interview, she said that she already has a lot of jobs waiting for her after she leave TVB. Happy to hear that and hoping that she will have a brighter future . God bless you, Shirley; I always support you.
May the force b with u Shirley Yeung, wont miss seeing u though for d roles played kinda bland mann!!!!
“My mother will take care of my daughter. With today’s technology, we can communicate with the phone and children will know what’s happening.”
It was greed that clouded her judgement. Does history repeat itself?
What are her feelings toward Andy? Crystal is the spitting image of her father.
Just hope her daughter doesn’t turn out like her. Don’t think her mother is the right person for the job. Being frugal, she must have saved up some money and even made extra from whatever investments she might have had. She’s actually much better off than others, but her greed blinded her once again.
As for little Crystal, hope she has good health.
I feel pitiful for her daughter; she will be separated from her Mom when she is just only 2 years old.
hasnt she completed filming a series with linda chung? so i guess thats her last drama T_T grew up watching her and even took a photo with her ~
she was not a favorite at tvb until her public image plummeted in 2011. tvb stopped promoting her around the time her relationship with gregory lee became public in 2005 or 2006. before she got pregnant, she was filling in third lead roles at best.
i feel so sorry for krystal. she already has an absentee father and now shirley is saying it’s fine to just skype with her while she’s working out of the country. for her baby’s sake, i hope her career goes smoothly from now on.
Sometimes I wonder if the Asian market is too conservative. I mean, look at Hollywood, we have lots of single mothers there and I’m sure most of the Hong Kong celebs lead lives that are just as scandalous as their Hollywood counterparts. If Hollywood can utilize those scandals as publicity stunts, then why can’t TVB do so? Their mindset is too old fashioned. It could also be the culture, I don’t know. Or is it because she’s a woman? It’s sad to see that double standard still exists in the industry. I’ve seen Shirley’s performances in Angels of Mission, A Chip Off the Old Block and also Silver Chamber of Sorrows and I find her acting to be better than a lot of the actresses they are currently promoting in their series like Priscilla Wong for instance. Shirley is a more natural actress whereas Priscilla seems forced. She only got by because of her baby face!
That being said, I think it’s not her loss but TVB’s loss. Why won’t they ever learn from their mistakes? One talented actor gone after another. It’s sad to see that TVB is slowly slipping into darkness with little to no support to help pull them up again.
If single motherhood were the only problem, then Isabella Leong would be facing acting career difficulties as well. The real underlying problem is the sexist society full of double standards.
And, Shirley had already found/bought her own separate place (in 2010) and split (in 2011) from the Lee family so she did not even cheat.
http://www.jaynestars.com/news/shirley-yeung-reveals-true-reasons-for-break-up-i-lied-to-gregory-lee-that-i-was-pregnant/
Guess she doesnt have any options but to head up, sincerely hope her future will be better off soon since she’s the breadwinner of the family.
Yea, it is hard to be the breadwinner and many that have never faced financial hardship will not understand that. Wish her the best and maybe she will succeed in China? You never know the future.
Tvb had before promoted Shirley her unpopularity doesn’t being in tvb’s fault mostly were audiences don’t favor her much plus her previous scandals that drag her down too. Shirley acting is not bad she just doesn’t have that aura to capture crazy fans just looking at Linda Chung her fans were madly favor her the minute she debuted her first drama in tvb fans were really crazy for her without realizing whether she can act or not.
Shirley, stay strong & may all d best luck and wishes with you.
Shirley Yeung announces her first movies (not drama or series) :The Bat Night” to the Media today. This is her first job after leaving TVB. Very happy to hear that new; good luck to you and all the best wishes for you. Love.
Awesome!!! Work hard and stay strong, Shirley. Best Wishes!!!
that is very good news.
Here’s hoping she has success in mainland. It’s a risky and bold move on her part. Many might have just kept the salary. She seems to believe in herself.
My gut, however, feels like she’s just stepped off the edge of the entertainment world rarely to be heard from again.
she should leave. hopefully she has better luck in China.
Not sure about that since it is even more competitive in China with so many newer and younger actresses and actors arising everyday. They are all trained and educated as well so you wonder if Shirley stands a chance? Unless she has good connections and a lot of luck or else you wonder if she can fare against the tough competition in China?
many mainland producers have contacted her so you should not worry about her future at mainland market.