G.E.M
Descended from a musical family, 18-year-old singer G.E.M. has quickly become one of the most popular Cantopop starlets in town. With her new album, “18,” due at the end of the month, she talks to June Ng about becoming an adult.
G.E.M. stands for “Get Everybody Moving”—it’s what I want to achieve with my music. But I won’t know if I’ve succeeded in making people move until I have my first concert. My real name is Gloria Tang Chi-kei.
I was born in Shanghai. My dad is a Hongkonger. My family reunited in Hong Kong when I was 4.
I wrote my first song when I was 5. It was about what happens when people die. They drink a magic potion and become fairies in heaven. And when they die as fairies they drink the potion and become human again. It’s inspired by Sailor Moon.
My mom and grandma were opera singers, and I’ve always been into music. Since I was 12, I would join all music competitions because it was always another chance to perform.
I’ve had a clear goal all along—to have a career in music. Some people might have really good grades and study really hard, but they don’t know what they want.
I’m most inspired by my piano teacher. I used to think of becoming one too—she told me that you don’t have to pay taxes if you’re a tutor, and it sounds like a good deal.