Tang revisits her roots

Born and raised in Tuen Mun, Stephy Tang Lai-yan never dreamt she'd be a star. Now she's a regular Canto-pop A-lister.

'I feel really good about coming back here, seeing all the old neighbourhoods, kids and all those familiar faces,' the 23-year-old said after a promotion for her lastest album, Dating Stephy, in Yuen Long.

Before the West Rail came in 2003, commuting was time-consuming in the northwestern New Territories. 'I didn't go to Kowloon since it took almost an hour, as if we were travelling back to the mainland.'

Tang's father left home when she was a child. 'My whole world was all about my sister, who is 11 years older than I am. I thought I would be a clerk when I grew up, just like what she did.'

After she left school, Tang (right) became the lead singer of teen band Cookies in 2002, which split two years later.

'The attention I used to have on stage was spread over nine people, so I was a bit sloppy. Now, I have to focus,' she said.