Connect with us

Entertainment

Hong Kong-American Pop Singer Coco Lee Is Dead

Published

on

Hong Kong-born American pop singer Coco Lee, beloved in Asia for her diva riffs and as the voice of Disney’s “Mulan” in Mandarin, died Wednesday, according to an announcement from her family.

The 48-year-old had suffered from depression in recent years, “but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months”, sisters Carol Lee and Nancy Lee said in an Instagram post.

She was hospitalised Sunday after attempting to take her own life, they said.

Advertisement

Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July, 2023.”

Born January 17, 1975, in British-ruled Hong Kong, Lee — who also grew up in California — gained prominence in the 90s for her strong voice, crescendoing vocal riffs and soulful ballads.

READ ALSO: Flood Alert: 14 States That May Experience Heavy Rainfall Soon – NEMA

Her fluency in Cantonese, Mandarin and English helped Lee access a fan base not only in Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan, but also in Southeast Asian countries like Singapore and Malaysia, as well as in Australia.

Advertisement

She sang the Mandarin version of the 1998 ballad “Reflection” from the Disney film “Mulan”, and recorded “A Love Before Time” as part of the soundtrack for martial arts film “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” directed by Ang Lee.

She performed the Best Original Song-nominated number at the 2001 Academy Awards, making her the first singer of Chinese descent to grace the Oscars stage, according to Warner Music China.

In 1999, Lee debuted her first full English-language album, “Just No Other Way”, which featured more R&B-influenced hits like “Do You Want My Love”.

From that album, “Before I Fall in Love” was chosen as the theme song for the Richard Gere and Julia Roberts rom-com “Runaway Bride”.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: U.S. School Honours Nigerian Achunike Okafor For Record-shattering Grade

In her final Instagram post, Lee shared tattoos reading “love” and “faith” scrawled on her arms.

“My 2 favorite words that I carry strongly in my heart which I desperately needed to get thru this incredibly difficult year,” she wrote in the post, published on the final day of 2022.

You are not alone, no matter how hard life gets, I’m with u,” she wrote to her followers.

Advertisement

According to her sisters, 2023 marked the “30th anniversary of CoCo’s singing career”.

“We are thankful to God for giving us such a kind angel,” they wrote.

“Although CoCo stays in the world for not long a time, her rays of light will last forever!”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Comments

Entertainment

[ICYMI] VIDEOS: Portable Jumps Gate To Evade Police Arrest, Netizens React

Published

on

Street-pop artiste, Habeeb Okikiola, popularly known as Portable, was on Tuesday arrested by the Lagos state police command for allegedly failing to settle the debt accrued after purchasing his G-Wagon from a car dealer.

The singer was arrested following his inability to pay the balance of N14 million out of N27 million worth of a G-Wagon car he purchased from a car dealer.

He was said to have paid only N13 million while refusing to pay the N14 million balance.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: [UPDATED] G-Wagon Debt: Portable To Spend A Night In Cell, As Police Give Condition For His Bail

Before he was taken to the station, the singer had attempted to evade arrest.

Advertisement

In a now-viral video, Portable and several police officers were captured outside a building. Following the presentation of his arrest warrant, the singer attempted to escape by leaping over the gate.

In separate footage, four police operatives were seen grappling with Portable as they bundled him into a waiting vehicle.

Confirming Portable’s arrest to Vanguard, the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hudenyin, said the singer had been arrested.

READ ALSO: VIDEO: Drama As Portable Jumps Gate To Evade Police Arrest

“Yes, he’s with us. A vehicle dealer has lodged a complaint against him.

Advertisement

“If he gets a reliable surety, he will be granted bail,” said the police spokesman.

This is not the first time the singer would be arrested. In March of last year, he was apprehended by the Ogun police on allegations of assault.

Portable had previously resisted police attempts to arrest him, and he even referred to himself as “a federal government liability.”

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

VIDEO: Drama As Portable Jumps Gate To Evade Police Arrest

Published

on

Men of the Lagos state police command have arrested singer Portable. The singer was arrested today May 14 following a petition from a car dealer.

Portable allegedly purchased a G-Wagon worth N27 million from the car dealer, made a down payment of N14 million and took the vehicle away with the promise to pay the balance.

After waiting for a while without any word concerning his balance, the dealer reached out to the singer who claimed the car he purchased had faults. The dealer then asked the singer to return the car or pay the balance but Portable allegedly refused.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: [UPDATED] G-Wagon Debt: Portable To Spend A Night In Cell, As Police Give Condition For His Bail

Following a petition from the dealer, the police moved in and arrested the singer. The singer jumped his gate in an attempt to stop his arrest. He is currently in custody at the state police headquarters and might spend the night there as the police is yet to receive any surety for his bail.

When contacted, the spokesperson of the Lagos state police command, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, confirmed the arrest of the singer.

Watch a video showing the moment the singer jumped his gate below

Advertisement

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Entertainment

[UPDATED] G-Wagon Debt: Portable To Spend A Night In Cell, As Police Give Condition For His Bail

Published

on

The Lagos State Police Command, has said that the controversial singer Haberb Okikiola popularly known as Portable would be granted bail only if he is able to produce a reliable surety.

The singer was arrested Tuesday morning following his inability to pay the balance of N14 million out of N27 million worth of a G-Wagon car he purchased from a car dealer.

He was said to have paid only N13 million, while refusing to pay the N14 million balance.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: Police Arrest Portable

Confirming Portable’s arrest to Vanguard, the spokesman for the Lagos State Police Command, Benjamin Hudenyin said the singer will spend the night in the police cell, pending when he’s able to produce a reliable surety before he can be granted bail.

“Yes, he’s with us. A vehicle dealer has lodged a complaint against him. “If he gets a reliable surety, he will be granted bail”, said the police spokesman.

However, as at 8.30pm, there was no sign of him being released on bail.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

Trending