ANDY NEWS MAY 2000
Date: 21/5/00----News on hold, I go for 10KM S'pore Big Walk with the AWC members.
Date: 20/5/00
Diary from andylau.com
18/5---Tomorrow I shall go to China for my concert again, very busy today. After coming back from 'Zhi-lian', met many people, had many meetings, decided on a lot of things, v busy! This time leaving HK, will be back only after a solid one month, going to abt 10 over places to prform, busy! Andy
Headline/Source: Andy in Beijing for Special Olympics gala night (show 8)
Andy had body searched despite being an invited guest (Sing Tao)
Special Olympics China held a fund-raising activity at People's Hall in Beijing last night, called 'Embassadors Of Love---Special Olympics China Gala Dinner', it was beamed live by Phoenix stn. As the attendees include VIP officials & superstars, security was v tight, Andy Lau who is a special invited guest has to go thro' body searched before entry to the Hall.
The occasion was viewed with much weight by both China & united States. Chinese President Jiang Ziming met with Special Olympics International representatives, President Cliton sent congratulatory messages, Arnold Schwerzenegger was invited from America.
The organiser initially arranged Arnold & Andy to auction items together on stage, but was cancelled as People's Hall does not permit auction of personal items....
Andy had the honour of driving the jeep that was used by Millienium Journey to the Hall, he handed the keys over to the organiser who in turn donated the four jeeps to the Chinese Mentally Retarded Fund. Andy sang the final number You Are The Pride Of My Life.
Headline/Source: Andy advised Anthony to treasure the trophy (Show 8)
Andy: Don't come to my house to steal my trophy, glad that Anthony did not doubt his acting (oriental Daily)
Not bothered by Anthony throwing away trophy, Andy: it is not mine being thrown (The Sun)
...Since Andy clinched Best Actor award, there was applause everywhere, but lately a newspaper reported that Anthony seems to be rather unhappy & had thrown away his previous award trophies.
Replied Andy, "Anthony is only joking, not true." Andy said Anthony is just showing his acting skill to the reporters, I have to learn from him (Anthony doubted the jury!) Andy petting on his chest, joked, "Luckily he did not doubt my acting, don't tell him to come quietly & steal my award, worse don't throw mine into the bin!"
As Anita Mui's album release was also delayed due to infringing on copyright of a branded shop, Andy commented that the co had gone too far, as the name of the album is not exactly the same as the co name, further Anita can help to promote its name, his own copyright courtsuit is still unsolved after 1 1/2 years.
Andy said he will support Liu Dang to be in the council, hope he can help showbizz circle to set some rules.
Headline/Source:
??(a Japanese actress) says 'no' to co-act with Andy (Show 8)
Japanese actress came to HK secretly (Apple Daily)
Derek Yee disclosed lately that a Japanese actress, ??(help!!!!), had come to HK to negotiate a cooperation with Team Work, the movie will be the debut for Team Work.
Accodringly, filming of this movie will start in Thailand & Japan in July. Asked why he has to go to Thailand? Derek replied that Andy will act as Thai boxer. (Will the movie be more steamy than 'Xin Yue Tong Woa' starrring this actress & Leslie Cheung?) Maybe, as this Japanese actress has not protested, maybe more steamy than with gege."
The reporter wanted to talk to the actress, but the assistant interrupted that she was on private visit & not for interview. The reporter asked her in English, "Now you have a chance to act with Andy, do you feel happy?" Maybe she was not sure what the reporter asked, she answered, "No!"...
Date: 18/5/00
Diary from andylau.com
17/5---Only one job today, i.e to take photos. From abt 9 in the morning till past 4 in the afternoon, took many with different poses, click until eyes blur!!! Andy
Healine/Source: Andy apologies to fans (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy new CD release encounters obstacles (wen Wei Po)
Andy new CD forced to delay release (Sing Tao)
Dealy of Andy's CD release resulted in complaints (Ming Pao)
Andy self-funded CD cover design has problems, fans complained couldn't buy the CD (The Sun)
Early yesterday morning, Andy attended a Buddhist temple opening ceremony, at the ceremony Andy appeared relaxed & even borrowed cameras to take some photos.
His album 'Just For You' was due for release yesterday, but no album was seen on the market.
Andy has been too thoughtful, he designed the album cover this time, & even pay for the cost of production. The cover was a frosted plastic ordered from overseas, but the size was too small, when the CD was slotted in, it was supposed to eject out spontaneously by pressing a button, but it was too tight & couldn't be ejected, despite some human manupilations. So 10,000 albums were retrieved from the market.
The manufacturer had realised the mistakes, a new set has been ordered. Asked who to bear the loss, Andy replied no time now to think abt this.
Abt 200 fans had called the co to complain, Andy could only apologised for the inconvenience, hopefully by Saturday or Monday it can be up on the self....
Source: The Straits Times
Headline: 'MASTER' OWES IT TO WIFE
Secret of opera faces unmasked
CHENGDU -- Even before the secret operatic art is
taught, Mr Peng Denghuai's move in accepting
Hongkong singer Andy Lau as his disciple for bianlian,
the skill of changing faces on stage, has already done
much to demystify it.
The Sichuan Opera School recently broke its silence
and rebuked Mr Peng, an instructor in its employ, for
promoting himself as the "Master of bianlian".
It said the media should stop calling him so because
his trick of appearing in 25 faces within 14 seconds
owed much to his wife's superb needlework in making
handy face-masks, a Shanghai Youth Daily report
said.
Date: 18/5/00
Diary from andylau.com
16/5---Some worry!!
Some fans asked me, from newspapers & magazines there are tour agencies organising trips to China to watch my concert, which one can arrange better seatings?
Actually, I did not authorise any tour comapny to organise the trip, at the same time I cannot stop them from doing so, hope fans can select for yourselves carefully, I don't wish to see you being cheated either!!! Andy
Headline/Source: Andy 'playboy' look filming MTV (Ming Pao)
Andy & Filipino super-singer filmed MTV (Apple Daily)
Andy 'playboy' look wooing filipino maid, filmed MTV with Filipino singer (show 8 & The Sun)
Andy does not believe in price-slashing trend (Wen Wei Po)
Andy beleives no more price to cut (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy: no profit for company, how to slash price (Sing Tao)
Andy's latest album is for release today. He will set off to Beijing today for the fund-raising charity show, after which he will continue with his concert tour in China till about end of June. As such, during this period of time of new album release, he will not be in HK, the promo activities will be left to the advertising personnels. He will continue with the promo of album when he returns in June. Andy is confident to do well in this album , it will win with its quality
This album has English, Cantonese & Mandarin songs, 4 songs & 4 MTVs. As each album is only sold for HK$60, Andy has to foot the cost of the production of the MTV himself. One of the songs, In Your Eyes, he dueted with Filipino singer Sharon Cutena. Sharon had flown in earlier on to film the MTV with Andy. They acted as lovers, Andy has 2 looks in the MTV, in one clip, he has to assume a playboy-look of the '50s. Andy has personally edited & scripted the MTV, he is really serious with the product.
Will Andy put the new songs in his website for fans to download? Andy said, the album is produced by BMG, to protect the benefits of BMG, he will not put the whole song inside, he will just put part of it for trial listening.
There is a report that most record companies are staging a price-cut war, Andy believes this is only a rumour, he understands the situation well himself, the industry as it is now is in difficulties, the co has not make much profit, how to lowetr the price further?
Source: The Sun
Headline: Not angry with losing Best Actor award to Andy. Anthony: already threw the awards away in the bin
Anthony Wong who had won Best Actor awards 2 times in HK film Awards before is a confrimed talented actor, but with the loss in his Oridinary Heroes to Andy Lau's Running Out Of Time, he said he is disappointed with himself, he won't claim to be movie King anymore, his previous 2 awards statuttes had gone down the bin on the same night.
Anthony was a hot fave, he lost to Andy by a close margin, never expect Anthony is actually still taking this to heart.
During filming yesterday, Anthony said, "I feel that I acted the best among all my movies in Oridinary Heroes, why do I lose??....(Comapre to Andy, who do you think act better?) Andy acts well! Don't fix me up! I'm the loser, my acting skill is no good, I feel ashamed,.... I shall read & work harder, I wont dare to claim any awards, if people call me movie King I wont dare to acknowledge!"
So he should treasure the 2 awards he got before? "HK Film awards? I returned that night & threw both to the bin! (But you still have a lot of others awards?) I will throw all sooner or later, unless it is cash, but I will not announce I won't get award, if people give I will take!"....
Date: 17/5/00
Diary from andylau.com
15/5---Today left Jinan for HK early in the morning, as there is no direct flight today, have to fly to Guangzhou first, then by a 3-hour car journey back to HK. Aih~~~wasted a precious day!!
On the plane, got to know a special person, he takes plane more often than me, 6 times a day, real terrible!! He is not flight attendents, not the pilot, his duty is to 'look at' everybody, protect everybody, he is a cabin security personnel. Andy
Headline/Source: New movie Man & Woman clips being used to advertise for Kentucky Fried Chicken. Andy: I feel like being cheated (Ming Pao, Apple Daily, Ta Kung Pao & The Sun)
Andy unsatisfied, said that it tarnishes artistes' status (Oriental Daily)
Andy admitted has been made use of (Sing Tao)
Andy being made used of to advertise for 'chicken' (Show 8)
Johnny To apologised to Andy (Ming Pao)
Johnny To: Won't use KFC to sponsor if knew earlier (Show 8)
The movie starring Andy Lau & Sammi Cheng, Man & Woman, by China Star, is due for release soon. Lately an ad was released related to this movie. Part of the movie clips has been used to advertise for KFC.
In this new series of commercial by KFC, the stroy starts by saying Andy dated Sammi for dinner, they go to KFC restaurant, Andy ordered a Mini set-meal for two, the footage is taken from the movie itself.
At RTHK yesterday, Andy appeared grossly unhappy, "I'm very disappointed, this time it is a disappointed cooperation, I feel like being cheated by someone."
Andy said he has not been told abt the movie clips being used as advertisement before. They have not seeked the permission of the actors before movie clips were being used. Usually Andy can fetch a fee of a few millions with a commercial, now in this altered way he advertises free for somebody, obviously he is unhappy, he said, "I usually respect the movie comapny, they got the sponsor, but should at least let me know.This way of advertisement is not fair to the other co that I accept to advertise for. (Would you request to stop further release?) the movie co has said sorry to me, & they will investigate, & will tell them to stop, but I still can see the ad being shown on TV last night."
The director Johnny To was contacted, he expalined that he did not know at first they will advertise like that, basically the movie co has the right to use the movie clips to advertise, if he knows Andy is unhappy, he will rather don't use this sponsor.
Accordingly,this matter is between China Star & the sponsor, before the release China Star has to view the ad & consent given, it seems nobody has seen the commercial before it was released. The advertising co may have to alter the commercial.
Lately, some inland newspaper reported that Peng Deng Huai is making use of Andy by accepting him as disciple to boost his own poppularity, added that Andy does not even know he is being made used of.
On this matter, Andy said neither he nor his teacher will comment, he has contacted Peng, their relationship is very good, he will learn only at the appropriate time, now he will only read books on the art.
Andy's latest EP will be released tomorrow, other than 4 songs, there are 4 MTVs, from the market survey, to meet the demands of consumers including the Filipino maids, Andy will lower the price to as low as below HK$65, Andy said he will subsidise the expenditure of the new album, asked how much more, he said he is still unsure.
Date: 16/5/00
Diary from andylau.com
14/5---The whole stadium 35,000 seats were all full, the whole audience seats were 'thick & closely dotted', even those 100m away from me, the far away viewing stage were all equally 'thick & closely dotted', right up to the highest level, also 'thick & closely dotted', this is really rarely seen.
Had never seen so many lightsticks, those who sell lightsticks must be booming today.
Jinan was raining last few days, so pray that sun is out & shining. Today really sunny & shining.....till sun sets, but the show is at night, there is no more sunny & shining, heehee.....
There was no rain, until sang 'Goodbye', came a few tear drops (few rain drops), until 'You Are My Lady', already 'cried' until no sound (rain was too heavy), finally I have to hurry to complete the 2 & 1/2 hr show, hope everyone was not caught by the rain, hope next time when I come, I will be even happier & weather is better!! Andy
13/5---First time come to Jinan, scenery is so beautiful! Everywhere can see the most prosperous trade, i.e 'car wash'
Had a foot reflexology last night, so comfortable!
Had been here abt 20 hrs, did not leave the hotel at all, until this evening started rehearsal, weather not bad, but show is tomorrow night, hope the sky-god is kind, tomorrow I will put in my best, do a very good concert for all, let friends in Jinan can remember me, until forever!!!
12/5---Today setting off for my concert, so excited!!!! Andy
Headline/Source: Andy appointed by China Olympics Comittee to perform with Arnold to raise fund for the handicapped sportsmen (The Sun)
Andy to raise fund for the Handicapped Olympics (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy & Arnold to attend charity fund raising show in Beijing in support of handicapped sportsmen (Oriental Daily & Apple Daily)
Andy & Arnold Schwarzeneqqer to perform together in Beijing (MIng Pao)
Andy sang in the wind & rain (Sing Tao)
Andy open-air concert met with thunder (Wen Wei Po)
Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzeneqqer & Asian Heavenly King will meet this Friday 19th of May in Beijing for a fund-raising activity for China Handicapped Olympics.
This activity is organised by Phonix Stn & will be held at People's Hall in Beijing. The event will be attended by the government officers, in addition to Arnold from Hollywood, Andy Lau is the representative from HK. The two not only have a chance to meet, but will also appear together to plead for donations.....
Andy will sing a song. There will be an auction session.
Both Andy & Arnold are always very concerned & supportive to the handicapped sportamen. The song Sweat was written by Andy for them, he had even invited them to appear in his MTV.
Arnold said he will take part in the tourch-relay marthon at the Great Wall, he will bring along his movies for charity telecast, proceeds from the ad & box-office will go to the fund.
Andy had his concert 2 nights ago at Jinan. The weather in Jinan has been v bad last few days, it was raining everyday, but during Andy's concert, it turned good, until abt half an hour later when a few drops began, Andy said, "I'm with you (fans), I use my love to disperse you! (rain)"
After saying this, the rain really went away, until almost towards the end. When Andy bowed & fired the paper cannons, there were 2 long lightening striking across the sky, as if augmenting the special stage effect.
Asked if he is scared? Andy replied, "Not scared! I have never done anything of guilt-conscious. The lightening will not strike me! Nor Jinan residents, they as good like me! Hahaha!"
Despite the rain becoming heavier Andy did not stop singing, none of the audience left the place too, the atmosphere went even higher! The audience had fun playing in the rain, they created waves & waving the lightsticks. Though Andy was v calm, the workers were v worried, there was lightening behind Andy, they shrudded that the mike may convey electricy if it gets wet, & the rain can damaged the equitments.
The response to the concert was extreme, near to 40,000 spectators, Andy saw from the stage, audience was like placards moving left to right, those from higher places jumped down to get a closer view. Andy was worried abt accidents, he kept remaining them, "Don't force!" But the rabid fans couldn't careless, the security personnels originally supposed to take guard were all in the front rowa watching the concert....
Andy left Jinan yerterday by plane to Shenzhen, & back home by car, he will go to Beijing this Friday.
Date: 15/5/00
Andy concert in Jinan as boisterous as National day celebrations (Ming Pao)
Andy opens show, the whole Jinan enlivens with response, 4,000 fans camped around the hotel throughout the night (Show 8)
Andy stranded in hotel couldn't go out (Wen Wei Po)
Andy's concert caught Jinan by storm (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy had to clear 3 obstacles to get into Jinan (Sing Tao)
Andy's concert first leg in China, exposed bod to celebrate Mother's day (The Sun)
Andy had his first concert at Shandong Central Stadium in Jinan last night. It was a roaring success.
Andy has never been to Jinan before, he has created a stir in the city. Though he came 2 days earlier, without leaking out the schedule, the whole town already knew abt it, at the airport he was trapped by encircling fans & workers. While travelling on the highway, many of the workers at the toll stns heard abt it & wanted him to autograph before he could pass, this cause much delay. After clearing the 2 obstacles, Andy was faced with abt 4,000 fans waiting for him at the hotel! The hotel has only one main door & 1 backdoor. The backdoor is a secret passage, led by a narrow alley, after that Andy was trapped in the hotel for 24 hours, he couldn't come out at all.
Andy said his impression with Jinan was only the highway & the stadium, he chuckled, "It is v strange here, there are many people with the same trade along the highway, each has a small stall with the words 'car wash, car polish'. Haha, at first I thought this is the main trade of Jinan!"
Andy went for his rehearsal at abt 9pm 2 nights ago, the band left by the main door for the stadium, the fans who were camping there through the night thought Andy was with them, they turned frenzy & was a big chaos. In that chaotic situation, 2 girls & 1 boy dropped into the fountain of the hotel, they were soaked thro', luckily not injured.
Now Andy became worried, the following day they will learn that he left by backdoor, then he would not know how he can bypass them to the Stadium. Andy knew that many fans cried because they couldn't see him at the hotel, but he is at wits end, many tell the workers 'wait for Andy till the heart aches, but still want to wait....
Andy said when he went for rehearsal at night, there were many fans outside the stadium, in order to avoid them, he had to go thro' another alley in pitch darkness, they dared not even switch on the touchlight. The organiser had made appropriate arrangements, Andy was happy that within the stadium there were no outsiders to disturb him, he could rehearse with peace. But the moment he blurted out his voice, came loud shrikes & screams, the stadium was empty, Andy got a shock of his life! Could it be ghost?? Later he remembered there were fans outside screaming, as if it was a concert, it was a real joke!
The stadium can accomodate 30,000 spectators, but at last night show, at least 40,000 were packed into it, the audience matches as much as the HK Football stadium!
A hanging bridge 31 ft tall was erected for Andy to move abt, so that he could get near to the fans in this big stadium. There was a stage with elevation mechanism too.
At last night concert, Andy opened the show with sexy white singlet exposing his upper torso, he had sizzling dance with the female dancers. The audience were roused to steam, screaming at their peak.
Andy who is v filial, has invited his mother to come over to Jinan to watch the concert.
Some fans took 17 hours of train from Xi-an to watch to watch the concert. The concert started right on time. Some fans were told to sit down or being hurled the lightsticks from fans at the back rows when they stood up.
Andy appeared on the elevated stage to thank the audience, sweeping the stadium fans off the floor, they screamed non-stop.
Some tickets were on sale at black market, from the most expensice of renminbi 320 & 380 roused to 700 to 1,200, a full 3 fold its prize!
Date: 14/5/00
Source: Dazong Daily, Shandong Newspapers
Headline: Andy arrived in Jinan yesterday, fans rouse to chasing
Andy has come! Even though Andy's schedule is kept a secret to outsiders, when he arrived yesterday afternoon at Jinan, many fans were waiting at the airport & at the hotal where he stays, a star-chasing pandemonium starts!
At 2:30pm yesterday, Andy arrived from HK. Donning all white with sun-shades & blonde hair, he was at once surrounded by fans as soon as he stepped out of the escalator. Even the uniformed guards took out pens & notebooks asking for autograph. Andy, flowers on hand, beaming happily, obliged them, but soon he was whisked off to the car by the security.
On the highway, Andy encountered 'small problems'-----when the car passed by toll stn, it was stopped, because the workers on duty are his fans too, they insisted he autographed for them before he was allowed to pass.
When he arrived at Yiqian Shenxin Hotel, an unexpected big group of fans had gathered, v puzzling at how they got the information on Andy's arrival. They surged forward asking for autograph & photo-taking, but Andy was protected by the security & condoned up the lift. 2 girls cried on the spot.
8:30pm, when the reporters arrived at the hotel, the sofa at the lobby were filled with packs of waiting fans, many were abt teenager-age, & school girls. The reporters learned that they had been waiting since 4pm, but still had not caught a glimpse of Andy coming down. Accordingly, the rooms on the floor where Andy stays were all booked, the lift is not allowed to stop at that floor. Many had prepared to wait through out the night. One said, Wait for you till my heart aches, but I will still wait.
Looks like Jinan fans are really warm & enthusiastic.
Headline/Source: Andy gave his mother cash as gift (Wen Wei Po)
Andy refused to autograph pirated album (Ming Pao & Show 8)
Andy phoned to send regards to his mother (Ta Kung Pao)
Andy's filial piety on mother's day (HK Commercial Daily)
Andy has set off to China for his concert tour, on Mother's Day today, Andy, who is always very filial to his parents, said he had meal with his mother before he came to Jinan, & had given her cash, for her to but the item she wants. Andy said his mother was v happy with it, he had called to send his greetings on this day. He added that he treated both his parents equally well.
This is Andy first trip to Jinan, his impression on the place is not bad, so far the security personnels are efficent in controlling the crowd, everything is still orderly. Andy had missed flight once when he was held up by the groung crew asking for autograph at Hunan. There is only one trip per week to Jinan from HK, so he has to come earlier.
Andy was interviewed by Jinan radio stn for abt 1/2 an hour, & had a session live with fans, the fans sang for him Chinese & Love You 10,000 Years, wishing that Andy can be famous for 10,000 Years. They yelled, Support Andy Forever, Andy was very touched.
Asked after 1 month of concert tour, will he be loaded? Andy replied money is not the concerned, he wants to pay back to his fans.
When Andy was in Beijing recently for the promo of The Duel with Yang Gongru, though it was only for one day, the organiser had deployed 80 security guards, 200 over police to control the crowd, for hand-printing to proceed. One fan managed to breakthrough & gave Andy a copy od CD to autograph, when Andy saw it was a pirated copy, he explained to the fan politely & refused to sign.
Back to NEWS/HOME.
since 14.5.00