Fala Chen

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Fala Chen
Chen in 2010 at a promotional event for Ghost Writer
Born (1982-02-24) 24 February 1982 (age 42)
EducationEmory University (BA)
Juilliard School (MFA)
Occupation(s)Actress,[1] Singer[1]
Years active2005–present
Spouses
Daniel Sit
(m. 2008; div. 2013)
Emmanuel Straschnov
(m. 2019)
Children2
Awards
Hanyu Pinyin
Chén Fǎlā
IPA[ʈʂʰə̌n fàlá]
Yue: Cantonese
JyutpingCan4 Faat3 Laai1
Musical careerLabelsStars Shine International (2010–2012) WebsiteOfficial website

Fala Chen (Chinese: 陳法拉; born 24 February 1982) is a Chinese-American actress. She is known for her roles in Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings and HBO miniseries Irma Vep and The Undoing.

Chen gained recognition through her roles in

The Undoing in 2020 and starred in the Marvel Cinematic Universe superhero film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings in 2021.[3]

Early life and education

Chen was born on 24 February 1982, and raised in Chengdu, Sichuan, China until the age of 14, when she immigrated to Atlanta, Georgia, United States with her parents.[4] Graduating from high school within the top 10 of her cohort, she went on to pursue a course in Marketing and International Business in Emory University's Goizueta Business School in May 2005.[5]

During her college term breaks, Chen took part in several pageants as a means to pay for her tuition fees. Amongst them was the

Miss New York Chinese 2004. She won 1st runner-up, kicking off her career in entertainment.[6][7][8]

In 2014, Chen began a 4-year Master of Fine Arts in Drama (MFA) Program at the Juilliard School in New York City. She graduated in May 2018.[9]

Career

Television

2005–06: Entry to the TV scene

In 2005, Chen began her professional acting career when she signed an 8-year contract with TVB. She started out as a host on numerous variety shows on TVB's Mandarin channel TVB8, before making her acting debut in the TVB series Forensic Heroes guest starring as a murderess.

2007–09: Breakthrough

Chen at the HFC Park 'n Shop in Hong Kong (2007)

In 2007, after starring in Heart of Greed, The Family Link, and Steps, Chen won her first acting award in the Best Supporting Actress category for her role in Steps.[6] Additionally, she was also nominated for "My Favorite Female Character" and "Most Improved Actress" categories for the same role. She also received a nomination in the "Most Improved Actress" category for her roles in Heart of Greed and The Family Link in 2007.

Chen's breakthrough came in 2008, when her notable work was for the character of Gam Wing Hing (a mute girl) in TVB series Moonlight Resonance, an indirect sequel to Heart of Greed, as she had to learn sign language for the role.[6][10][11] The role landed her nominations in the "Best Supporting Actress" and "My Favorite Female Character" categories for the second year in a row.

Chen dancing onstage with Michael Tse at London's Brent Cross shopping centre, during Happy Family Gala (2008)

In 2009, Chen was nominated again for the "Best Supporting Actress" and "My Favorite Female Character" categories for her role in

The Stew of Life
.

2010–13: Leading roles and entry to the music scene

In 2010, Chen was cast in TVB's grand production series No Regrets as second female lead, securing her position as one of Hong Kong's celebrated new actresses, alongside Tavia Yeung, Linda Chung, Myolie Wu, and Kate Tsui. The role won her the Best Supporting Actress Award at the TVB Anniversary Awards and Best Actress in a Supporting Role at the 16th Asian Television Awards.

She later took on roles as the first female lead in productions including

Turning Point in which Chen had also acted in as the sister of a triad boss. Queens of Diamonds and Hearts (2012) allowed Chen to experiment with looking 'ugly' on screen as her character Chung Mo Yim, based on historical figure Zhongli Chun, was born with a prominent birth mark on her face. Chen played the role of Holiday Ho in Triumph in the Skies II —a free-spirited punk girl who aspires to fly—who became emotionally entangled between two male leads, Captain Samuel Tong played by Francis Ng and Captain Jayden Koo played by Julian Cheung. Chen also starred in 2013's Will Power alongside veteran actors Wayne Lai and Moses Chan
where she played the role of Sam Yuet Kan, a junior barrister with a tough personality.

Her contract with TVB ended in mid 2013 and Chen became a self-managed artiste. Having more freedom to choose and ever so determined to become a better actress, Chen would like to direct her focus on filming more movies and dramas, and she is not afraid to take up new challenges.

2014: Entry into China's TV industry

Chen acted in her first mainland Chinese drama series,

Tong Hua
.

2019: Entry into the US TV industry

Shortly after graduating from the

.

Film

2009: Newcomer

In 2009, Chen took her chance at her first female lead role in the movie

Turning Point is a spin-off from the 2009 TVB crime drama E.U., where the character "Laughing Gor", played by Michael Tse
, became a household name.

Chen was nominated for the Best New Performer category at the

Turning Point
.

2010–13: Budding film actress

Chen in 2018

In 2010, Chen starred in two movies, Black Ransom and 72 Tenants of Prosperity. In Black Ransom, she acted as a superintendent, alongside internationally acclaimed Hong Kong actor and film producer, Simon Yam. 72 Tenants of Prosperity on the other hand, was a light-hearted Hong Kong comedy film directed by Eric Tsang, involving a star-studded cast of Hong Kong stars.

Chen took to the movie scene again in 2011, acting in the first installment of the heartwarming I Love Hong Kong film series, directed and produced by Eric Tsang. She too worked together with Eric Tsang again who produced and acted in The Fortune Buddies, another Hong Kong comedy film which also co-stars Louis Yuen, Wong Cho-lam and Johnson Lee who are better known as "Fuk Luk Sau" (福祿壽).

Tales from the Dark 2 (2013) was her first shot at the horror movie scene, and acting with her is Gordon Lam. Chen's story revolves around pillow demons, where her character Chow Jing Ee is seen to suffer from serious insomnia after her break-up with her boyfriend Yuen Hao Hong, played by Gordon Lam. Chen delivered a stellar performance, and was commended for the preparation work she did prior to filming, by staying a few nights alone in the cold apartment they filmed at to get into character and understand the loneliness and insomnia that the character suffered. The media had focused on the scene where Chen's character accidentally killed her boyfriend and tried to get rid of the corpse by taking off all of his garments and putting him into a vacuum bag. This is the first time that Gordon Lam has gone fully nude in a film. Owing to the explicit scenes, the movie has received a Category III rating.[12]

Chen starred in the Cantonese version of Despicable Me 3 as the voice of Lucy Wilde, an Anti-Villain League agent, Gru's wife and the girls' adoptive mother. Doing voiceover for an animation film for the first time, Chen commented that it requires a lot of energy and precision to sync with the character's lip movement and it takes capturing the unique sounds and myriad of nuances in personality to bring the character to life.

2015: Movies Pending Release

Chen concluded filming for The Treasure, directed by Gordon Chan and Ronald Tsang.

2021: US feature debut

Chen made her US film debut after being cast in the Marvel Cinematic Universe feature film Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings as Ying Li.[13][14][15] The movie is directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, and opened in theaters on 3 September 2021.[16]

Theatre

2013–16: Stage Debut

Ever since Chen's contract with

Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) concluded in 2013, she went on to pursue a 4-year Master of Fine Arts in Drama (MFA) Program at Juilliard School
with the passion and determination to better herself as a professional artiste. The MFA Program only accepts 8 to 10 students each year, and encompasses areas such as production, directing, playwriting, pedagogy, and current trends in American and World Theater.

Chen's debut on the theatre stage came in 2016 with Skylight – the premiere of Chinese adaptation of the 1995 British play written by David Hare that debuted in West End and Broadway. The play was scheduled to run for 24 shows at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, but due to overwhelming responses, 11 additional shows were added, making that a total of 35 shows running across 1 July 2016 to 14 August 2016. Starring alongside Dayo Wong and Terrance Lau, Skylight was a sold-out show within a few hours, and it received plenty of raving positive reviews including praises for Chen's performance as a theatre actor.

Music

Starting in 2009, Chen has been sporadically participating in the music scene, singing theme songs for

.

2012: First album – Beautiful Life

In 2010, Chen signed under Stars Shine International and subsequently launched her first Canto-pop debut album, Beautiful Life, released on 31 July 2012. Some of the highlights from the album are "一半", "愛上鳥", and "Beautiful Life". Among these songs, "一半" was the first plugged song which garnered her awards in the Best Newcomer category across various music platforms such as 2012 TVB8 Golden Music Awards for the Bronze Award, 2012 Jade Solid Gold Best Ten Music Awards Presentation, and "2013 IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Awards".

Within a week from the launch of her album, it had climbed up to first place on HMV's 'Asian Album Top Sales Chart'.[citation needed]

Her contract with Stars Shine International ended in 2012.

Endorsements

Chen was the spokesperson for Olay in China, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. She was also Hong Kong Cancer Fund’s Pink Ambassador for the Pink Revolution Campaign, held every October to promote breast cancer awareness and raise funds to support free services for patients and their families.

Personal life

In 2008, Chen married Hong Kong businessman (later actor) Daniel Sit. In 2011, she brought Sit to attend a church sermon delivered by friend and No Regrets costar Sheren Tang, hoping to expose him to the Christian faith.[17] The couple divorced in 2013.

In 2019, Chen married French entrepreneur Emmanuel Straschnov.[18][19] In February 2021, she announced that she had given birth to a daughter.[20]

On 18 March 2024, Chen announced via Instagram that she had given birth to a son.[21]

Filmography

Television

Year Title Role Notes
2006 Forensic Heroes
《法政先鋒》
Yung Wai
容慧
Guest Star Ep.10
2007 The Ultimate Crime Fighter
《通天幹探》
Ada Guest Star
Heart of Greed
《溏心風暴》
Tong Chi Yan
唐至欣
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Female Artiste
Best Selling Secrets
《同事三分親》
To Bing-Bing
杜冰冰
Guest Star ep. 28
The Family Link
《師姐兵團》
Angela Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Female Artiste
Steps
《舞動全城》
Ching Ka-Man (Karmen)
程嘉汶
Won — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role (Top 20)
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Improved Female Artiste
2008 A Journey Called Life
《金石良緣》
Shing Mei-Sam (Vicky)
成美心
Catch Me Now
《原來愛上賊》
Hong Mei-Lei (Minnie)
康美莉
Moonlight Resonance
《溏心風暴之家好月圓》
Gam Wing Hing (Wing)
甘永慶
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role (Top 5)
Colours Of Love
《森之愛情》
Nurse Chan 陳護士 Guest Star
2009
The Stew of Life

《有營煮婦》
Ng Choi Nei (Charlie)
吳采妮
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role
2010 In the Eye of the Beholder
《秋香怒點唐伯虎》
Chu Ting Yuk
朱婷玉
Ghost Writer
《蒲松齡》
Ling-Wu Siu-Tsui
令狐小翠
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
Can't Buy Me Love
《公主嫁到》
Szeto Ngan-Ping
司徒銀屏
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role
No Regrets
《巾幗梟雄之義海豪情》
Lau Ching
劉晴
Won — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress
Won — Asian Television Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role
2010–2011 Links to Temptation
《誘情轉駁》
Hung Long-Kiu (Jojo)
熊朗蕎
2011
Grace Under Fire

《女拳》
Kwai Fa
葵花
Lives of Omission
《潛行狙擊》
Chau Mong-ching (Jodie)
周望晴
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress (Top 5)
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role (Top 5)
My Astro On Demand Awards for My Favorite Characters
2012 Queens of Diamonds and Hearts
《東西宮略》
Chung Mo-Yim
鍾無艷
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress
Nominated — My Favourite Female Television Role
2013 Triumph in the Skies II
《衝上雲霄II》
Ho Nin-hei, Holiday
何年希
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Best Actress (Top 5)
Nominated — TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Female Character (Top 5)
Will Power
《法外風雲》
Sam Yuet Kan
沈悦勤
2014 Sound of the Desert
《风中奇缘》
Lee Yan
李妍
First Mainland Chinese Drama
2020
The Undoing

Jolene McCall US Television Debut

HBO Miniseries

2022 Irma Vep Cynthia Keng HBO Miniseries[22]

Film

Year Title Role Notes
2009
Turning Point

《Laughing Gor之变节》
Karen and Jodie Nominated – Hong Kong Film Award for Best New Performer
2010 Black Ransom
《撕票風雲》
Superintendent Koo
72 Tenants of Prosperity
《72家租客》
Xiu Tou Hung
小桃紅
2011 I Love Hong Kong
《我愛HK 開心萬歲》
Lee Kei (Nikki)
李琪
The Fortune Buddies
《勁抽褔祿壽》
Sister Man
蚊姐
2013 Tales from the Dark II
《奇幻夜》
Chow Jing Ee
2015
Secret Treasure[23]
2017 Despicable Me 3 Lucy Wilde Cantonese dub
2021 Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings Ying Li / Dweller-in-Darkness (voice)
2024 Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire[24] Post-production

Theatre

Year Title Role Notes
2016 Skylight (play)
《前度》
Kyra Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts

Discography

Albums

Year Album Title Album Information
2012 Beautiful Life
Release Date: 31 July 2012
Label: Star Shine International
Debut Album

Awards

2013

  • TVB Star Awards Malaysia 2013: Favourite TVB Character (Triumph in the Skies 2 – Holiday)
  • 2013 10th Huading Awards: Best Chinese Actress in TV Series (Queen of Diamonds and Hearts)
  • 2013 IFPI Hong Kong Top Sales Music Awards: Best Newcomer Award

2012

2011

  • 16th
    Asian Television Award – Best Actress in a Supporting Role (No Regrets – Lau Ching)[25]
  • StarHub TVB Awards 2011: My Favorite TVB Female Character (No Regrets – Lau Ching)
  • Starhub TVB Awards 2011: Perfect Smile Award
  • My AOD Malaysia My Favourite TVB Series Presentation 2011: My Favourite Top 15 Characters (Lives of Omission – Jodie)
  • My AOD Malaysia My Favourite TVB Series Presentation 2011: My Favourite Onscreen Couple (Lives of Omission – Fala Chen and Michael Tse)
  • Next TV
    Awards: Top 10 Artist (No. 9)

2010

  • TVB Anniversary Awards 2010 – Best Supporting Actress (No Regrets – Lau Ching)[26]
  • My AOD Malaysia My Favourite TVB Series Presentation 2010: Best Supporting Actress (No Regrets – Lau Ching)
  • Next TV
    Awards: Top 10 Artist (No. 10)

2009

  • Next TV
    Awards 2009: Hekura Stylish Female Artist
  • StarHub TVB Awards 2009: My Favorite TVB Female Character (Moonlight Resonance – Gum Wing Hing)

2008

  • Next TV
    Awards 2008: Hekura Acting Improvement Award
  • Next TV
    Awards 2008: Most Promising Female Artist

2007

  • TVB Anniversary Awards 2007 – Best Supporting Actress (Steps – Ching Ka-Man (Karmen))
  • Next TV
    Awards 2007: Hekura Most Self-confident New Actress

2005

  • Miss Chinese International 2005 – 1st runner up

2004

  • Miss NY Chinese 2004 – Best MTV, Best Costume, and Miss Photogenic

2003

  • Miss Chinatown USA 2003 – 1st runner up (officially known as Miss Chinese Chamber of Commerce 2003)

2002

  • Miss Asian America 2002

See also

References

  1. ^ a b Chen, Vivian (4 October 2012). "Sunglasses with which to see and be seen". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 5 October 2012. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  2. ^ "Short Film Competition Award". Sundance Hong Kong. Archived from the original on 4 August 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  3. ^ "'Shang-Chi and The Legend of The Ten Rings' Reveals Additional Cast". Marvel Entertainment. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  4. ^ a b "Fala Chen says she's hardly interested in fame game". The Straits Times. 25 February 2013. Archived from the original on 30 April 2014. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  5. ^ Lau, Henry (23 September 2021). "Fala Chen's career before Shang-Chi: from Hong Kong TV shows and beauty pageants to acting alongside Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant and Tony Leung". South China Morning Post. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  6. ^ a b c Yan, Seto Kit (9 March 2010). "The right moves: Fala Chen discovers her love for ballroom dancing in Steps". The Star Online (Malaysia). Archived from the original on 1 July 2013. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  7. ^ Hauser, Brooke (12 August 2007). "The Rainbow Runway". The New York Times. Archived from the original on 29 August 2011. Retrieved 30 June 2013.
  8. ^ "Miss NY Chinese 2004". 纽约华裔小姐. Archived from the original on 23 April 2008. Retrieved 24 June 2008.
  9. ^ Hsia, Heidi (23 May 2018). "Fala Chen graduates from The Juilliard School". Yahoo Life. Archived from the original on 21 May 2023. Retrieved 22 May 2023.
  10. ^ "《溏心風暴》收視飄紅 有望勝過《大長今》". 新浪娛樂. 1 June 2007. Archived from the original on 12 October 2020. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  11. ^ 《溏心風暴》收視超高 結局收視創近5年新高 (in Chinese). 騰訊娛樂. 6 June 2007. Archived from the original on 9 August 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Fala Chen Faces Gordon Lam's Naked Body in "Tales from the Dark 2"". Jayne Stars. 1 August 2013. Archived from the original on 3 August 2013. Retrieved 3 August 2013.
  13. ^ "Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi: Fala Chen Reportedly Cast in a Key Role". Archived from the original on 27 May 2020. Retrieved 19 May 2020.
  14. ^ "'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings' Reveals Additional Cast". Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  15. ^ "Shang-Chi Cast & Character Guide: All New & Returning MCU Actors". ScreenRant. 3 September 2021. Archived from the original on 3 September 2021. Retrieved 4 September 2021.
  16. ^ "Is This Our First Look At Tony Leung's Mandarin In 'Shang-Chi'?". 2 April 2021. Archived from the original on 11 April 2021. Retrieved 11 April 2021. Heroic Hollywood. 2 April 2021
  17. ^ Jayne (27 January 2011). "Fala Chen and Sit Sai Hang Wearing Matching Wedding Bands". jaynestars.com. Archived from the original on 5 June 2021. Retrieved 5 June 2021.
  18. ^ Heidi Hsia (2 January 2020). "Daniel Sit opens up about past marriage with Fala Chen". Yahoo Style. Archived from the original on 12 August 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  19. ^ Loh Keng Fatt (24 May 2019). "Actress Fala Chen marries French entrepreneur in Paris". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 2 December 2020. Retrieved 21 December 2020.
  20. ^ Sng, Suzanne (14 February 2021). "Former TVB actress Fala Chen announces surprise baby on Valentine's Day". The Straits Times. Archived from the original on 15 February 2021. Retrieved 15 February 2021. The Straits Times. 14 February 2021
  21. ^ {{Cite news|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/C4o7ppNsf4o/?igsh=ZzR6ZGFkdHFnOG94
  22. ^ Petski, Denise (19 July 2021). "'Irma Vep': Adria Arjona, Carrie Brownstein, Jerrod Carmichael Among 5 Cast In TV Adaptation Of Olivier Assayas' Feature Film For HBO". Deadline. Archived from the original on 19 July 2021. Retrieved 19 July 2021.
  23. ^ Kevin Ma (16 July 2014). "Bona launches Secret Treasure". Film Business Asia. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016. Retrieved 16 July 2014.
  24. ^ Vitto Oddo, Marco (25 August 2022). "'Godzilla vs. Kong 2' Synopsis Reveals New Details About Monsterverse Sequel". Collider. Archived from the original on 25 August 2022. Retrieved 25 August 2022.
  25. ^ "Asian Television Awards 2011 Winner List". Television Asia Plus. Archived from the original on 15 May 2013. Retrieved 1 July 2013.
  26. ^ "Hong Kong's TVB King & Queen crowned". AsiaOne. 7 December 2010. Archived from the original on 12 December 2010. Retrieved 1 July 2013.

External links

Awards and achievements
TVB Anniversary Awards
Preceded by Best Supporting Actress
2007
for Steps
Succeeded by
Preceded by Best Supporting Actress
2010
for No Regrets
Succeeded by
Miss Chinese International Pageant
Preceded by 1st runner up
2005
Succeeded by
Ginney Kanchanawat