Canto-pop queen Anita Mui: remembering the ‘Madonna of Asia’
The ‘Ever Changing Anita Mui’ set the gold standard for the divas that followed with a repertoire of costume changes, distinctive vocals and amazing stage presence
We all know Anita Mui Yim-fong as the “Madonna of Asia”. Her amazing stage presence, constantly changing image and distinctive vocals were the gold standard for the Canto-pop divas who followed. However, behind the glitz and glam of the stage was the bittersweet story of a lonely child performer whose meteoric rise to stardom left her unlucky in love.
Mui died of cervical cancer 16 years ago, on December 30, 2003, barely two months after her 40th birthday. She would have turned 56 this year, on October 10.
Born in 1963, Mui’s dad died when she was very young and her mother, who managed a troupe of street performers, put her and her sister to work. She started singing on stage when she was only four years old.
All men are unfaithful, I’d rather be with a handsome cheater than an ugly one
Mui and her sister Ann performed as a duo at many lounges, clubs and Lai Chi Kok Amusement Park – anywhere that would pay them to go onstage. Mui often missed school because of her busy schedule. Child performers were viewed as street kids in those days, so Mui was ostracised at school.
She once said in a radio interview: “Singers weren’t respected when I was young and I was labelled a ‘song girl’ at school. Parents wouldn’t let their kids play with me and I would watch the other kids play. I was always by myself.”
Because of the parlous financial situation at home and her busy schedule, Mui quit school when she was 13 years old.