Universal Music unites old rivals
BACK in the 1980s no one would have thought this possible, but long-time rivals Alan Tam Wing-lun and Leslie Cheung Kwok-wing now finally belong to the same record company. Cheung signed a two-year contract with Universal Music (formerly PolyGram) which has represented Tam since his early days with the Wynners. During the peak of their careers in the mid-80s, fans of the two singers often got embroiled in slanging matches as to who was more popular. However, with the industry in a bad state - and with the benefit of maturity and experience - Tam and Cheung have long put their rivalry to rest. Word is that there may even be a duet in the offing.
Wong eyes Bjork for futuristic role NO word yet on whether Bjork will really be joining the already-top-heavy cast of Wong Kar-wai's new futuristic movie, 2046. The director is said to have approached the Icelandic singer several weeks ago to play an android bartender who (or should it be which?) gets into a romantic clinch with Tony Leung Chiu-wai's character. Wong was keen to get the singer because of her offbeat, trendsetting image. Maggie Cheung Man-yuk will also be joining the cast after a case of much wheeling and pleading - and not on the part of the director, Ad-lib has been told. Cheung is also appearing in another Wong movie, Beijing Summer.
Kelly embarrassed by gift of bag THIS has been an embarrassing week for singer Kelly Chen Wai-lum. Fans who saw her sporting a new bag from a luxury French brand rushed to the shop to get one, only to be told there was no such bag. The bag - which Chen later explained was a gift to her father from her unsuspecting grandmother - was apparently a fake. Coming in the wake of the industry's strong stance against counterfeits and piracy, this has caused quite a stir, although Ad-lib would say it is a good argument against the proposal to fine consumers of such goods: they really might be innocent. But one good thing has come out of it: the company which distributes the label has apparently offered to lend Chen its bags if she needs them for photo-shoots.
Yeoh to move on with Baltimore beau HONG KONG may be losing Michelle Yeoh Choo Kheng to the United States soon - and not because of Hollywood. News has come that the Malaysian-born action star has become engaged to her heart specialist beau Dr Alan Heldman. Yeoh's mother told Malaysian reporters that since Dr Heldman lives and practises in Baltimore, the actress will most likely be moving there, too. But before that, Yeoh will spend some time in Beijing starring opposite Chow Yun-fat in Ang Lee's new Mandarin-language film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon which is expected to start shooting later this month.