5 Hong Kong celebrity career transformations that worked: from Nicholas Tse becoming a chef and Gigi Lai’s businesses, to Louis Cheung’s post-TVB life and Charlene Choi’s successful film roles
- Coffee Lam starred in minor roles with TVB before her supposed sex scandal, but she’s since become a celebrated yogi with over a million subscribers on YouTube
- Nicholas Tse was in New Police Story with Jackie Chan and founded Post Production Office, while Twins’ Charlene Choi got into acting after bandmate Gillian Chung’s photo leak
In the world of showbiz, anything can change at any given moment. While some stars can flourish in their trade for a lifetime, not all feel the same – especially when they end up in scandals. Sometimes, celebs need to venture further afield and try something new, or even embark on a complete career pivot.
From producing and entrepreneurship to even becoming a beloved yogi, here are five Hong Kong A-listers who went through impressive career transformations.
1. Valerie ‘Coffee’ Lam Yuen-ha
Valerie Lam Yuen-ha, aka Coffee Lam, 33, started her career with Television Broadcast Limited (TVB), playing minor “mistress” roles in films like Turning Point (2009) and I Love Hong Kong (2011), and TV shows like Can’t Buy Me Love (2010) and Links to Temptation (2010). Her most recent acting credit Imprisoned: Survival Guide for Rich and Prodigal was seven years ago, back in 2015. One of her more notable gigs was in Bounty Lady where she starred alongside veteran actress Sharon Chan Man-chi.
Lam found herself embroiled in scandal when she was filmed entering a disabled bathroom in IFC Mall, Hong Kong with a man while they were both intoxicated in 2014. The video ignited a supposed sex scandal, which brought Lam plenty of public criticism and even led to her departure from TVB, per Yahoo! Lam revealed the incident caused a devastating hit to her career and mental health in a talk show with Chan.
Luckily, Lam found success elsewhere, starting a new career as a yoga instructor and social media influencer. The wellness advocate became the first Cantonese-language content creator to gain more than a million subscribers on YouTube, with her account currently boasting over 1.6 million followers. Lam also launched an online business, Coffee Sweat, which sells skincare and yoga apparel.
Lam is happily married to Weng Chak, and even celebrated their son’s fourth birthday in October.