Fong Fei-Fei Only the Songs Come Easy

Other countries have many top singing stars. The ROC has superstar Fong Fei-fei, a performer who has been on the musical-stage for the past thirteen years.

An outstanding song stylist, Fong Fei-fei is also uniquely known for the time and energy she gives to worthy causes. Whether in Taiwan or abroad, she works constantly to raise money for the needy. It has become a second vocation, but one for which she receives no monetary compensation. Even plane tickets for such purposes are purchased with her own funds.

She has a special memory for the warmth and support she received when she was struggling from poverty to success. The time she devotes to singing for the handicapped or underprivileged is characterized by her own words, "Live should always be returned with interest." Because she feels that way, Fong has come to occupy a special spot in the hearts of a great many people. This is her story:

Fong Fei-fei was born Lin Chiu-luan, the daughter of a poor family in a small village at Taoyuan, near the present-day site of Taiwan's international airport. An indifferent student as a child, Fong spent her time in front of a mirror, using a hairbrush as a microphone, and pretending she was actually on stage.

She was, however, very shy, quiet, and introverted. People who knew her were stunned when she not only stepped out onto a real stage to perform, but then walked away with first prize in an amateur singing contest. At that time, she was not yet sixteen.

Very early in her career, Fong had to overcome several very basic problems. One was that coming from southern Taiwan, her speaking voice had a very noticeable--and irritating to many--southern twang. She was informed by her manager that she would have to sing with standard Chinese accents if this small timer was to be "up and coming." But Feng did not have enough money to hire professional voice coaches, so she took it upon herself to transform the quality of her performance. Early every morning she would dash off to find a deserted section of town where she could practice trying to eliminate her southern twang. Sometimes shy and sensitive--she would practice by the Taipei railroad station so that the "shrieks" and "catcalls", which she not-so-fondly recalls, would be drowned out by oncoming trains. She treasured the moments she could practice without fear of being overheard or ridiculed.

Fong's first big break came when she was performing at a singing hall; she was suddenly "discovered" and given the chance to appear on TV. It was at this time that her name was changed to Fong Fei-fei (literally, Phoenix, Flying-flying). The name certainly made people sit up, pay attention and remember her--a major step in any singer's career.

Then something unfortunate happened. Fong's father, a professional driver, struck a pedestrian. Feng assumed responsibility for the medical bills and compensation. Her limited income taxed by the medical bills, Fong was forced to go into debt; she scrimped on necessities. Cosmetics and attractive clothing, a must for any performer, were now beyond her reach.

Fortunately, she retained sewing skills her mother had taught her as a child and, undaunted, she started to make her own clothing. She also made hats and wore them during her act, since she was now too poor to have her hair styled properly. She earned a stage nickname "Hat Queen", and then, feeling that her head coverings did not go well with gowns, she took to wearing simple skirts or jeans.

Despite, or because of her appearance, and her down-home sincerity, she endeared herself to growing audiences of working class people. Even so-called sophisticates enjoyed her naturalism and open charm, even if she was a bit of a "hick".

Feng Fei-fei soon was sought after not only by singing halls, but by Taipei's television studios. Her records became instant hits. She began to host popular television shows, and became a favorite of moviegoers.

Directors and co-workers always comment about her ability to get along well on and off the stage. Nevertheless, she is a perfectionist for herself, and works tirelessly to gain her own satisfaction with the final "product".

"When I finish a day's recording at the studio", she comments. "I say to myself that no matter how well I sang today, I can sing even better tomorrow." And so she pushes herself to her professional limits. Although she lacks formal musical training, she has a natural feel for music and excellent pitch.

Feng Fei-fei performs not only in her native Taiwan, but abroad. Besides singing, she can dance and play the guitar. But like most stars, Feng has very little private life. Knowledge of even her innermost feelings is desired by her fans.

Feng's husband, fortunately, understands all this. Now, though she still produces records and appears at charity performances, she no longer performs professionally on stage, and their life has become more regular. She enjoys having more time to be at home. She says, "My husband says all he wants is to see me when he returns home. We have a warm home and a warm feeling--a bit of which I hope I can pass on to my audiences."

[Picture Caption]

1. Fong Fei-fei appears at a Washington, D.C. Ceremony to receive an award for outstanding service in the field of entertainment. 2. Fong warms up before a recording session. 3. Fong's hats, of which she has over 200, have become her trademark. 4. Fong has won many awards over her 12-year career. 5. In real life, Fong Fei-fei is shy and pensive.

Fong Fei-fei appears at a Washington, D.C. Ceremony to receive an award for outstanding service in the field of entertainment.

Fong warms up before a recording session.

Fong's hats, of which she has over 200, have become her trademark.

Fong has won many awards over her 12-year career.

In real life, Fong Fei-fei is shy and pensive.

Fong Fei-Fei Only the Songs Come Easy.

Fong Fei-Fei Only the Songs Come Easy.