Biography
CoCo Lee, born Li Mei-lin (Ferren Lee), was born in Wuhan on January 17, 1975. Her father passed away from illness while traveling to visit relatives before she was born. Her mother moved to Hong Kong alone with the infant CoCo and her two older sisters. When CoCo was about 9 years old, her mother moved the whole family to San Francisco, USA.
Influenced by her sisters, CoCo showed talent and leadership in music and the arts from a young age. In middle school, CoCo organized a fashion show to raise funds for her school. In high school, she joined a dance troupe in the North California Bay Area and performed in many charity events, showcasing her outstanding dancing skills. CoCo also frequently performed with her sisters during their singing engagements.
In 1991, representing her high school, Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School, CoCo participated in the Miss Teen Chinatown pageant and won the title. Later, CoCo recorded a song at a karaoke recording studio at San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf. When her friend played the recording in their family restaurant, customers actually asked to buy the song. This incident sparked CoCo's interest in a singing career.
After graduating high school in 1993, CoCo went to Hong Kong during summer break to visit her sisters who were working there. While her sisters were busy working, her mother entered CoCo into the 12th New Talent Singing Awards, organized by TVB and Capital Artists. She stood out amidst fierce competition, winning the Silver Award, which secured her a contract with Hong Kong's Capital Artists.
In 1994, CoCo made her official debut through Taiwan's Fancy Pie Records, releasing her first Mandarin album, 'Love from Now On,' which achieved excellent sales results. Immediately following this, Fancy Pie Records released three more albums for CoCo, each achieving red-hot sales figures.
CoCo had dreamed of becoming a doctor like her mother since childhood. So, after her contract with Fancy Pie Records ended, CoCo returned to the United States to study Biology at the University of California, Irvine (UCI). However, her record sales history caught the attention of Sony Music Taiwan. At Sony Music's sincere invitation, CoCo signed with them in 1996 and returned to Taiwan to continue her music career.
In 1998, recognizing CoCo's music, performance skills, language ability, sales record, and cross-cultural potential, Sony Music officially invited her to sign with their US headquarters. Her globally released English album, 'Just No Other Way,' was launched in 1999. In May of that same year, CoCo was invited to be the only Asian female guest performer at the Michael Jackson & Friends charity concert.
In 2001, CoCo sang 'A Love Before Time,' the theme song for the movie 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,' and was invited to perform live at the 73rd Academy Awards. Her stunning performance introduced her talent to the world. That same year, CoCo appeared on the cover of Time magazine. Subsequently, Latin superstar Ricky Martin invited CoCo four times to be a guest performer on his world tour.
In 2002, CoCo co-hosted the 2nd MTV Asia Awards with American reggae singer Shaggy, marking her first attempt at hosting a music gala. That same year, due to her high popularity in Houston, she was invited to perform the opening act for an NBA game at the Compaq Center.
In 2005, CoCo became the only Chinese singer invited to record and perform 'A Dream of One,' the theme song for the World University Games held in South Korea. In 2007, CoCo teamed up with Sun Nan to sing the 2008 Beijing Olympics song 'Forever Friends,' co-written by Grammy-winning composer Giorgio Moroder and pianist Kong Xiangdong.
In 2008, CoCo was ranked 15th on E! Entertainment Television's list of the World's 25 Sexiest Pop Divas, surpassing Madonna, Kylie Minogue, and Jennifer Lopez. In 2012, CoCo was repeatedly invited by her close friend Will.i.am (The Black Eyed Peas) to participate in tours and charity performances. In 2013, music legend Lionel Richie, a close friend of CoCo, visited the set of 'Chinese Idol' where she was a judge, singing 'Endless Love' with her to show his direct support.
In 2016, CoCo participated in 'Singer Season 4.' Despite suffering from bronchitis which affected her voice during the competition, CoCo used her determination and undeniable singing prowess to win the championship and the title of 'King of Singers.' In 2018, when British singer Jessie J competed in the finals of 'Singer 2018,' she invited former champion CoCo as her guest performer. Their brilliant performance helped Jessie J become the show's first foreign champion.
Beyond music and performance, CoCo starred alongside John Lone in the 2004 film 'Master of Everything' (Bamboo Shoot), playing the female lead. The film won Best Foreign Language Film at the Beverly Hills Film Festival. In 2015, CoCo also made a cameo appearance in the youth campus movie 'Forever Young' (Gardenia in Blossom).
CoCo was not only highly sought after for music and film but was also the preferred spokesperson for world-renowned brands. Major brands she endorsed included Chanel, Estée Lauder, Omega, La Mer, Ralph Lauren, Triumph, Victoria’s Secret, and De Beers.
In addition to commercial performances and endorsements, CoCo was actively involved in various public and behind-the-scenes charity activities. Having watched her mother provide free medical care to marginalized people during her childhood, CoCo placed special importance on charities related to medicine, illness, and vulnerable groups. She participated numerous times in AIDS prevention and care activities across Asia and charity performances for children with AIDS, even attending the 2nd Asia-Pacific Regional Conference on HIV/AIDS. She also served as the ambassador for the Cancer Fund's Pink Revolution, the Taiwan Anti-Smoking Campaign, and as a Volunteer Image Ambassador in mainland China. Privately, she also enthusiastically sponsored children in disaster-stricken areas.
CoCo was serious and dedicated to her work, always striving for perfection in her professional abilities. Despite possessing numerous proud achievements, CoCo remained approachable and never put on airs. Her care for people was warm and sincere. As a singer, her talent was recognized by the world. As an entertainer, she was a model of both talent and virtue. As an idol, she was worthy of emulation by fans from all over the globe. May CoCo’s enthusiastic spirit for this world never extinguish, continuing on through the fans who love her.
