“You are a jewel of the Orient.”

—Audrey Ferguson with AMGA TV
 (Armenian Media Group of America)

Joey Yung, Miriam Yeung, Denise Ho, and Kay Tse are names of the four premier female Hong Kong pop stars. Among these, Kay Tse stands out to many as one who brings not only talent and beauty, but plenty of meaning-filled reflections of a perceptive songwriter, as well.

Known as the “Queen of Cantopop,” she was first discovered by a music producer when she won a university singing contest, and quickly became a prominent artist in Asia’s pop music scene. With one acclaimed album after another, she has won all of Hong Kong’s four major music awards while also winning TV and radio music awards in mainland China.

The platinum artist’s career is an extraordinary success story, not only due to her remarkable vocal range and versatility, but also for her thoughtful songs that raise awareness or offer hope on a wide range of social issues such as poverty.

Ms. Tse is not only admired as “Grassroots Singing Queen” but also as a prolific actress, whose recent films include Love Is the Only Answer, Nightfall, and The Legend of Dunhuang.

The talented artist further distinguishes herself by using her fame to support environmental awareness, animal protection, and other charitable causes.

“Music talent is, of course, a must to pursue,” stated Kay Tse. “But the sincerity, the wish to share with others, is also a must, because apart from working with music in my daily life, I also want to utilize any possible opportunity to engage in charitable work. That includes this musical event [Loving the Silent Tears].”

Winner of multiple awards in Hong Kong and mainland China	One of Kay Tse’s fan-filled concerts	With Hong Kong star Andy Lau

Eager to add her voice to the meaningful message of Loving the Silent Tears, the sought-after artist made special arrangements for a two-week absence, putting a hold on the concert tour that was underway in mainland China, as well as her other work including TV appearances and two upcoming movies. Kay Tse explains, “Many of them [Loving the Silent Tears castmates] must be very, very busy in their homelands, but they still set aside time for this show. Even I myself seldom spend such a long time for a show. For example, if I prepare for a show in Hong Kong, the time for the rehearsal plus the adaptation for the formal show is about two or three days, at most three days. [But] this is a very rare opportunity.”

Kay Tse’s musical debut became a hot topic both in Hong Kong as well as internationally, with many inviting her to interviews, conducted in Cantonese, Mandarin, and English with the trilingual singer. These included HK Magazine, Oriental Daily News, OnAirPower Radio, and i-CABLE.com TV channel in Hong Kong; ETTV, CTI, TVB, Hello Hollywood, WCETV, World Journal, Sing Tao Daily, International Daily News, and Asian Weekly in USA and Canada; and others based in mainland China, Formosa, Malaysia, Indonesia, etc.

She told Hong Kong’s cable channel i-CABLE.com, “I am honored to be able to participate and be the representative of the Asian region. In the musical, I will be playing a Chinese fairy princess, I will come out to sing a song that’s hoping to bring comfort to those in sorrow. I think it’s very good. Also, playing a fairy princess, is there any girl who doesn’t dream of doing that?”

Kay Tse’s performance in Loving the Silent Tears, apart from joining the group opening number “Never Set Foot” as well as the finale group song, was a very special solo song titled “Talking to a Stone Buddha,” written and composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai in 2007.

The following are some of the thoughts she shared during her interviews with various media about her life and personal experience with the musical production.

Widespread media coverage of Kay Tse in Loving the Silent Tears Interview with Kay Tse by ICN TV International Chinese Network (ICN TV) is a leading English and Chinese language network that broadcasts throughout North America via cable and Dish Network, and over-the-air, reaching more than 100 million viewers. TV Host: Today’s program is very special. Let’s first welcome an international superstar: Kay Tse! How do you do, Kay? Kay Tse: How do you do? The way you introduced me makes me shy. TV Host: It’s real. The reason I said you are an international superstar is because there’s a very challenging and great mission for Kay to accomplish while being here in America. Kay Tse: Yes. In fact, I am here in Los Angeles for a musical called Loving the Silent Tears. TV Host: I feel that you have a very blessed life. You have a very beautiful voice, and you are a very successful singer…. For you, the chance is provided to perform together with so many superstars, with a director who has won accolades, and with such award-winning people, including yourself. I think it’s really a precious life experience. Kay Tse: Yes. Also, life is not full of such great opportunities, having a first-class production and people to work with. So I just got to keep the mind clear and on the stage, not worry about skills, or not to give myself too much pressure. I just need to sincerely sing out the song, like telling a story. TV Host: Just by looking at the title of this musical, Loving the Silent Tears, the word “loving” gives people a feeling that is heartwarming. ARTIST WITH NOBLE IDEALS I was very moved by the fact that the theme of this event is about philanthropy. In addition, all the proceeds will be donated to three different charitable organizations to help different people in need as well as to protect animals. THE CARING VEGETARIAN From last year, my husband [Chinese pop singer Louis Cheung] has gone vegetarian, as well. Actually, he is vegan. A wonderful thing happened this year. When I was in the band room to do a rehearsal, somehow I felt my senses were very sharp. Then, I heard the bass, guitar, rhythm section, piano, keyboard, all the sounds. I could hear them clearly, and then I felt odd that each individual sound was heard so clearly. I could notice a lot of things very well and in detail. After returning home, I shared this with Louis Cheung. He said, “Yes, I told you.” Because being a vegetarian, you would go through a purification process. It purifies the mind. It enhances those senses which were dull before to be keen and sharp. I absolutely think it is due to the vegetarian diet that there are a lot of physical responses to it. And this is just one of them.

THE SHOW’S THEME

This musical is about great love, about how to coexist in harmony. Among us [the cast], we have different religious beliefs, different languages, and different skin colors and cultures. By gathering together, it shows a great example for the whole planet to know that we can have a harmonious, united one world to live in. It is not just a dream, it really can come true with everyone taking steps to do so. That’s what this musical is about.

THE MUSICAL TITLE

I feel “Loving the Silent Tears” is like a message to me: some sorrows and sufferings in the world may not be perceived easily. Some may exist in another corner of the world, or in some places you don’t know about. But we still need to prepare our loving heart always, ready to extend hands out to help those in need once they need us. I love the name of this musical very much. I think that it is a very meaningful name.

REPRESENTING CHINA

Actually, Broadway musicals rarely include Chinese or Eastern elements. Now we have this opportunity. So I really, really want to share the Chinese style music with everyone so that they’d want to listen, and want to be touched.

FIRST REHEARSALS

At the [musical’s] beginning, there is a song called “Never Set Foot” with all of us singing together. I still remember the first time we rehearsed the song together. It is the first time we met each other. I was still trying to remember everybody’s face with a program leaflet! It was a very amazing thing, first time with a group of people sitting together like secondary school kids. At first, I imagined it’s quite an impossible thing for so many established singers to sing together without clashing or difficulties. Some are baritones. Others are famous sopranos. Our singing ranges are all different. But I don’t know what happened on our first rehearsal, we just did it. It’s like, “Wow, this is it. How wonderful!” We just sang with our hearts, sang happily. And it sounded so good. Even though we did not know each other before, only based on the music as a common language, we succeeded the first time. This was very touching.

REHEARSING WITH THE DANCERS

You know what? I almost cried. Watched them doing the whole thing for the very first time in front of me. Oh, I tried to hide my tears because it’s so beautiful! I feel the connection between us. Especially when we are looking at each other when we dance. Wow, I feel so touched.

I was a little bit rigid at the beginning because I’m not very comfortable with a lot of dancing. So when [the director] tried to suggest like, “You just do this gesture like you’re wiping your tears…” So the whole thing is like full of feelings. It’s not “dance”; it’s a message. I’m wiping my tears in front of you. And please look at me, I have something to say. So wow, the whole thing is beautiful.

I hope [the DVD] can be done soon because I want to watch the musical myself. I won’t be able to watch it that day. I have to sing! So hoping it comes out sooner, I will enjoy it dearly.

First meeting of the cast

THE SONG: “TALKING TO A STONE BUDDHA”

from “Talking to a Stone Buddha” Hallo, Buddha, why do you cry? In your stone heart, how much desire? Why do your tears stream down the sea? Why give your love to the pebble? — Composed by Supreme Master Ching Hai in Formosa - March 2007 From the poetry collection The Love of Centuries
“This is the best. I just love the audience. They are so supportive. And I think they really liked this song. (emotional) I’m tearing… sorry!” —Kay Tse, Chinese platinum pop star(vegetarian), after her solo performance

I just love all the musical numbers, and of course especially I like my song the most because it is a very special one. It is actually a song by Supreme Master Ching Hai. It’s like leading the audience to open their hearts. Every tear drop, every smile has meaning behind it. It comes from love. This song also brings calmness in my heart. To find inner peace, not many people can achieve that. Therefore, I’d like to dedicate this song to all the audience and to all busy people, like those who live in cities.

This scene is very poetic. It’s a very awe-inspiring and spiritual song.

Kay Tse in the opening number, “Never Set Foot”

HER COSTUME

The whole thing is beautiful. I think they want to make me feel like I’m a princess or I have a really big message to tell everybody. So the costume helps amplify the message. It’s a really big message about life, love, the beauty of everything on Earth.

AFTER THE SHOW

I was very satisfied with the performances tonight. Although many viewers may not understand Mandarin, I feel they understand the meaning of the lyrics. And they connected with me while I was singing the song. So it is a wonderful feeling.

The musical is not focused on vanity. It’s not about who are Emmy or Oscar winners. The real message of it is that it is such an important and support-worthy activity, that so many celebrities are willing to support.

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