G.E.M. Stirs More Controversy at Hong Kong Concert
After touring the world in the last two years, G.E.M. (鄧紫棋) finally returned home to hold a five-day concert titled “G.E.M. X.X.X. Live World Concert Tour” in Hong Kong. Commencing since January 14, G.E.M. will perform through January 18.
Since G.E.M. shot to fame from her appearance in Mainland Chinese singing competition I Am A Singer 2 <我是歌手2> last year, she has been busy making various appearances in China. Her last world concert series toured 23 cities, including cities in China, Australia, and New Zealand.
Despite her popularity, controversy followed G.E.M.’s fame. She has been criticized for having attitude problems on multiple occasions, and was called out for being disrespectful to other more senior singers. Last November, when she held a press conference to promote her current Hong Kong concert, G.E.M.’s “diva behavior” was once again brought to light when her manager initially refused to hold separate interviews for traditional print media outlets and digital media outlets.
At Hong Kong’s Metro Radio Hits Music Awards, which was held last December, G.E.M. was late to both the awards ceremony and the afterparty, leading the media to criticize G.E.M.’s lack of consideration for others.
Controversy continues to stir for G.E.M. at her Hong Kong Coliseum concert. It was said to be one of Hong Kong’s most overpriced concert in recent years. The concert organizers were very strict, and did not allow fans to bring their own lightsticks into the venue. Each seat at the venue was supplied with a glowing bracelet, but only fans sitting at the more expensive areas were allowed to bring the bracelets home. Fans sitting at the back had to return them for other fans to use them the next day.
Many fans were upset that G.E.M.’s concert setlist included only six Cantonese songs, despite the fact that the majority of G.E.M.’s discography is in Cantonese. Fans were especially upset that G.E.M. did not perform “Where Did U Go”, the song that made G.E.M. a household name in Hong Kong. Instead, a majority of G.E.M.’s setlist were Mandarin songs she performed while competing in I Am A Singer 2.
Some harsher critics called G.E.M.’s concert for being a “Mainland China’s I Am a Singer night” and suggested her to give up her Hong Kong passport for a Chinese passport instead.
Despite the criticism, G.E.M.’s fanclub remains supportive. They left encouraging messages for her and dubbed her as Hong Kong’s pride. They told G.E.M. not to be unhappy about the negative rumors and reassured her that she has still many fans around the world who support her work.
Source: Ming Pao
This article is written by Addy for JayneStars.com.
Doesn’t she have her own songs?
Wonder why as well. Maybe she aims China tour at next but her Cantonese songs should be added more.
not sure why people criticize her for the price and songs sang at the concert. first of all, if she’s not in demand, there’d be no one willing to pay the price. plus she’s so popular in china and oversea, they probably pay more for her performances. then about the song selection, she probably performed those because that was what took her to stardom. alot of people know her through i am a singer and know her for the songs she sang there. it’s probably the same concert in hk and outside of hk.
No one is saying she is not in demand. If you look up what a Diva is, you’ll find that you have to be in demand to act like a Diva. What is sad and is the crux of people’s criticism is how aloof she is to “her home crowd”. I know she was born in Shanghai, but HK was where she got started, and this is the Hong Kong stop we are talking about. People want to hear “Where did you go?” With the politics in Hong Kong today, the people would have really appreciated some sort of encouragement. Ironically her name stands for “Get Everyone Moving”. What better way to do that than to appease your fans?
Then again, you are right. She is in demand. She can do what the f&** she wants.
Diva attitude
@Winkiestars, she IS a diva! Love her songs!
GEM and her company really made a poor decision. You have to cater to your audience. No doubt most people in mainland China probably only knew her through that show so it’s reasonable for her to sing cover songs. Her HK fans have been with her since her debut. It doesn’t make any sense to sing mostly Mandarin and cover songs in HK. You don’t see singers like Jacky Cheung singing mostly Cantonese songs in mainland concerts or mainly Mandarin songs in HK.
The irony is the one song that shot her up the charts during that contest was …a Cantonese song. LOL
well she was born in china…..
Well Hong Kong is part of china
she was born in shanghai, not hong kong
It’s like when I watched “The Voice 4 HK”, most of the contestant song choices were in mandarin. That’s the HK music industry for you hehe.
“G.E.M.’s “diva behavior” was once again brought to light when her manager initially refused to hold separate interviews for traditional print media outlets and digital media outlets.”
I’m sorry but the transition from talking about the actions of her manager to GEM being a diva is quite lost to me.
Just one of the many things in the article that irk me. An obvious biased text against GEM (wonder which big shot she offended to get targeted on like this)…
She’s overrated. She may have a powerful voice but lacks star quality. Nowhere near Anita Mui, Faye Wong and Sammi Cheng during their respective era
Charisma is built. And no offense to you, but Anita Mui and Sammi can’t sing. They coasted along the coattails of their star power and charisma as well as frequent image changes. Faye Wong is simply a class of her own.
Yup.. Agree with u on this.
Anita Mui can’t sing? Are you tone deaf? And before you say I am rude, etc, seriously, are you that much of a troll? She was singing since she was a child and not even Fann Wong, a class of her own could have that huge a class that Anita Mui was, god rest her soul.
Sorry, Faye Wong.
Fann Wong obviously can’t even sing half as decent as Faye Wong.
Let me be the one to say it. You are tone death if you don’t think Anita can’t sing.
Anita Mui and Sammi can’t sing? Then,do you think you can get cantopop queen title just by star power? impossible. anita mui is no doubt a legend. her live singing is great. same goes to sammi. u can check out her latest concert in youtube. still splendid even after so many years. both are true cantopop queens. that’s no doubt.
Wowww! Are you serious? Anita mui can’t sing? -_-
Agreed with them Coralie, you seriously need to get a doctor to check your ears. Anita Mui can’t sing? You gotta be kidding.
Anita Mui could sing but not Sammi Cheng
Anita Miu has a deep voice but it doesn’t mean she can’t sing. She got many hits and was dubbed as the “Cantopop Queen”and she is a legend in HK now. GEM hasn’t got anywhere near Anita yet. At first, I didn’t know who GEM is, so I looked her videos on youtube. Many ppl said she has a good and strong voice. However, I don’t find anything so special about her voice. Listened to a few of her songs; didn’t like them at all. (This is just my personal opinion, tho)
GEM does have a strong voice. None of her chinese songs don’t really showcase that clearly but her english songs are really good.
Anita’s voice + style is something you have to learn to appreciate. So I can understand maybe you’re not from the era when the singers songs run over and over and over in every radio station until you’re forced to acquire that taste. Anita’s voice is just like Tsui Siu Fung, low and hoarse, which is fine cause their whole package matches well.
Sammi sings VERY well. Have you hear her songs or are you referring to another singer?
Yes, faye is in a class of her own.
GEM born in shanghai
I blame Tan.
GEM is snobbish and show no respect to senior artistes , she thought she is young and popular , well she have a powerful voice but she will not last long in this star world if she still have the egoist personalities, never liked her
I dont know why all these ppl always try to show the diva attitude. Eventhough you’re a well known singer so what? You’re probably blessed with good voice that’s all. You need fans to support you to bring you to where you’re. Stop being a diva or you’re just killing yourself. No one sits on the throne forever! She’s at the heights of her career now, what next, no one knows in future…. She dont seemed to have her own songs, always sing other people’s songs!
Let’s face it, HK media hates her. She can do so much better in the China market than in the HK one, where the media is constantly firing at her. What’s wrong with singing songs that she likes at her own concert? This is probably a concert for people who just became fans, hence so many stops in china, and so many mandarin songs. If people think the concert tickets are overpriced, but still buys the tickets, why would she need to lower the prices? She’s in demand right now. I’m sure her concert prices would go down when she’s not as popular.
Apparently some audiences tried to attend with fake tickets bought off mainland website to get into the concert.nnot sure if the group of audience knew behind it or genuinely got scammed, but police were called to resolve the problem. Dang, so many issues occurring with her hk concerts already.
I like her songs, she has a great voice, but I never liked her attitude and personality she seems to have how she presents herself to the public. She does give off diva vibes.
well, it sold out.
Cantonese songs are outdated, Mandarin songs are in for the China huge market, go G.E.M.
Does anyone know if Gem is dating Jay fung? There has been some rumours lately that they are out together a lot…
You might as well say Roman and Frances Yip can’t sing stupid coralie
Obviously you are stupid!, Roman is dead, Frances Yip of course she can sing Mandarin songs! Only you still stick to your H K cantonese songs, small market cant go far!
Well, those who attended the concerts should not complain, cos its their choice to buy the tics. Those who did not attend should not complain, cos well….., they did not pay for anything.
Gem is sure getting diva headed. But well, her fans loved her for it, defending her.
Let’s face it. With so many mainlanders in HK I bet most of those watching her concert aren’t even Hong Kong people.
I’ve watched Eason and Joey concert in HK and I can tell you that there are a lot of mainlanders who managed to get tickets for it too.
Diva or not she’s exceptionally talented and her voice is amazing. She sounds amazing. Gosh I haven’t commented on here in…years. Hi Jayne!
Diva or not, she is still a great singer that she can back up having that kinda attitude. though it is not advisable to be that way, she’s allow to do it.
the only thing I dislike is that fans can’t keep their glowing bracelet…like please, those things cost less than $1 probably, why couldn’t they just let them keep it..?! the concert is already so expensive, i’m so sure they can spare a couple thousands just on glowing bracelets. Cheap management right there.