Advertisement
Advertisement

I'll get by with a little help from my friends and fans, says Anita Mui

Niki Law

'I will win this battle. I won't disappoint my friends. I don't want my fans to cry'

Canto-pop diva Anita Mui Yim-fong yesterday vowed that, with the help of her friends and fans, she would continue working despite suffering from cervical cancer.

A who's who of Hong Kong showbusiness flanked Mui as she delivered an emotional address yesterday in a Tsim Sha Tsui hotel. They included Jackie Chan, Michelle Yeoh, Andy Lau Tak-wah, Tony Leung Ka-fai, Nicholas Tse Ting-fung, Jacky Cheung Hok-yau, Sammi Cheng Sau-man and Kenny Bee.

Mui said that with their support, she felt she could win her battle against cancer.

'When I told my friends I was sick, they tried to do everything they could to help me. Some people cooked for me, some made soup and others hunted for a miracle cure,' said Mui.

'The strength they gave me is the reason I am able to stand here now - the reason why I am sure I can win this battle. During this time I felt what it was like to be cared for by someone. This has made me much stronger and braver. I can tell you that not for a single moment did I feel scared.'

The pop star said she had received dozens of letters of support from fans since rumours of her sickness surfaced.

'Today I saw a bunch of my fans, who had been writing get-well cards to me. They have not slept for a week because of the media reports. They were very worried,' she said.

'I will win this battle. I won't disappoint the hopes of my friends. I don't want my fans to cry anymore, to worry anymore. I am not a loser and a weakling even though I am a patient.'

Although Mui looked frail in her jeans and black tank top and needed an assistant to help her into her chair, she insisted that her disease would not affect her career.

Mui said she was already talking to promoter Cheung Yiu-wing about doing a concert in November.

She flashed Mr Cheung a smile as she said: 'He told me not to worry and that he would support me. 'As long as your health improves we will do as many concerts as you want', he said.'

The ex-members of the Grasshoppers band, William So Wing-hong, Andy Hui Chi-on and Denise Ho Wan-sze, were also present to support the woman who introduced them to showbusiness as her backing group.

Mui added that she would continue planning an Asian concert tour. 'I am happy I can still work. I am a professional artist. Every time the public sees Anita Mui she will look healthy and energetic,' the star said.

The 'Big Sister' of Hong Kong showbusiness began her singing career in 1968. At the age of five, she started singing Chinese opera and pop songs in theatres and on the street with her sister. Her break came in 1982 when she defeated 3,000 contestants to win first prize in the New Talent Singing Contest.

Looking to her future, Mui said that in addition to being a singer and a movie star she had signed up as an official spokeswoman for Modern Beauty Salon. 'I'm going to star in a slimming ad. The boss said that even though I am so skinny she still thought I was beautiful,' Mui said.

Post