Non-Chinese can succeed in local entertainment industry, says actress
It's difficult for non-Chinese performers to succeed in the local entertainment scene, but some are achieving success, writes Chris Lau
While Hong Kong performers often look West to further their careers, the reverse is rare. But there have recently been a few Western entertainers who have carved out niches in local show business – in Chinese.
Corinna Chamberlain is arguably the best known, thanks to a breakout role in Inbound Troubles, a TVB Jade comedy series which screened earlier this year. The show demonstrated her flawless Cantonese diction. Since then, she has become a regular guest on chat shows and reality programmes, and is now preparing her first album – in Cantonese.
Chamberlain says that she has not found being Caucasian a problem in going forward in the Hong Kong entertainment industry. “Whether it’s an advantage or disadvantage depends on how you see it, and how you use it,” Chamberlain says. “It’s like the glass half-full, glass half-empty question.”
Chamberlain has deep roots in Hong Kong. Her parents came to the city as missionaries, and she was born here. She’s more comfortable using her Chinese name Ming Yan, by which she is better known to the public.
A natural performer, Chamberlain studied musicals at the Academy for Performing Arts, where she was engaged in more local shows than expatriate productions.
She took on variety of gigs after graduating, from bit parts in TVB series to singing backup at pop concerts, and appearing as guest singer for Canto-pop stars such as William So Wing-hong and Jade Kwan Sum-yin. While teaching drama and working as a choreographer, she looked for a chance to break into the local entertainment industry.