Brett Ratner, director of Jackie Chan's coming Hollywood outing Rush Hour, said the Asian star was so excited at the sight of his idol on set that he almost missed his cue for a one-off explosion scene.
Having discovered Chan's idol was none other than Lionel Richie, Ratner had invited the Hello crooner to the set to surprise Chan. However, Richie was running a little late and walked on just as the countdown was starting for the scene. As a result, the cast and crew were treated to the unusual sight of a very flustered Chan torn between running up to meet his idol and finishing the shot.
We're glad to say Chan's sense of professionalism won the day and he completed the shot successfully, much to the relief of Ratner because there could only have been one take for the explosion.
Still, it's nice to know idols can still be blown away at meeting their own idols.
Macho Lau refuses to skirt the drag issue If anyone thinks their eyes are deceiving them when they see Andy Lau Tak-wah running around Hong Kong in drag, they can rest assured. The actor has gone the way of Patrick Swayze and Wesley Snipes (The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert ) and has had to increase his 'assets' for a new role. It will be a first for Lau who has appeared mainly in macho roles and one wonders how his many raving female fans will take to the sight of their heart-throb in a skirt.
Singer turned consultant seeks new image Charlie Young Choi-nei, the youngest retiree in Hong Kong showbusiness, seems intent on making a new life for herself behind the scenes. Young started an image consultancy business in Malaysia last year but the ex-actress/singer was recently quoted as saying she would love to have Taiwanese newcomer, Ng Pui-chi, as a client. Perhaps the economic downturn in Malaysia has been unkind to Young's business as well.