Carman Lee on Filming “Never Dance Alone”
Dubbed as a household goddess 19 years ago when she portrayed Little Dragon Girl in The Return of the Condor Heroes <神鵰俠侶>, Carman Lee’s (李若彤) beauty still resonates at age 40. In her TVB comeback drama, Never Dance Alone <女人俱樂部>, Carman delighted with her acting and sensitive portrayal of a housewife in her forties chasing after her own happiness.
There was no awkwardness between Carman and her onscreen husband, Lawrence Cheng (鄭丹瑞) although they have never spoken to each other before filming started. Initially nervous, Lawrence practiced his lines with Carman in the makeup studio, and later realized that they have great onscreen chemistry.
Carman agreed that Lawrence and her make a great married couple, and praised him as a good acting partner. Carman also recalled that Lawrence once brought her bread and sardines for breakfast when she was not feeling well. At the time, Carman thought to herself that Lawrence would make a good husband. Since then, the two formed a very close bond, always sharing food with each other.
Not Worried About Finding Other Half
Still single at 40 years old, Carman is not at all worried in finding a marriage partner because she is constantly surrounded by friends and family. While she does not fantasize about marriage, Carman would not reject starting a relationship, and is willing to give someone a chance if it was meant to be. Unlike the dramatic love series she has starred in, Carman prefers a more mature man as a marriage partner in a steady and tamed relationship.
Motivated By Chow Yun Fat
Suffering from depression that was triggered from a 2008 romantic breakup, Carman’s situation worsened after her father’s death in 2009. Speaking with Chow Yun Fat (周潤發) during a chance encounter last year, Carman was motivated to restart her life and film again. Carman regained some self-confidence and even deemed the filming experience as highly enjoyable.
“It was meant to be; I was very resistant when it came to filming Hong Kong series. I didn’t know why but one day I saw Fat Gor, and he said to me “How can people not work?” Then I saw Eric Tsang (曾志偉) and when he asked me if I’m still willing to film, I absentmindedly said okay. Half a year later, he came to find me, and I thought I would give the character a try. My only request was a completed script, to which he agreed. I did my best in every scene, and didn’t allow myself to put in only minimal effort.”
Give Younger Generations a Chance
Many complained of the lack of star power in current TVB series. Veteran artistes are frequently invited by the station to film again and boost viewership ratings. However, Carman believes that each acting generation has its own methods, and it is not fair to blame the artistes. Using Wong Jing (王晶) and Wong Cho Lam (王祖藍) as examples, Carman stated that it is better to be daring enough to create change and challenge creativity, rather than repeating the same thing over and over again.
Source: Ming Pao
This article is written by Su for JayneStars.com.
Her eyes looks so Michael Jackson.
Wonder if she had PS done to her eyelids. They are so deep set (like caucasians). Not many Asians have eyelids like that (even after PS).
Did you watch Return of Condor Heroes 95 with her and Louis Koo 20 years ago? Her eyelids were already like that.
When she first started in movie film too, she already have the Caucasians look into her.
I think she did do some work on the eyes. She had double eye lids back then but not deep like now. I think she took some of the fat out to make it look deeper.
She had always had the deep set eyes, since her debut days. She even thought she was adopted due to this.
Her face lost alot of baby fat.
Watch ROCH 95 again and you will see. Back then sher face were fuller, now her whole face are so skinny.
Many people lost their baby fat when they older, Charmain Sheh does too.
I too have double eye lids the same as her debut days. It has not changed to be deeper (no fat) with ages. My mother is the same. Her 1s look like she did the surgery.
I have nothing against PS. I wouldnt mind getting some work done when im a little older. If it makes you look better why not.
I was surprise how young Carmen Lee look. She is still so pretty at her age. She look much younger on TV than the above photo.
1ni, if you can imagine an old lady in say her 80s, with deep sunken eyes, then you will be able to imagine how it can look deeper with age.
I am only in my 30s yet I can see my face lost a lot of baby fat as well. Everybody ages differently of course, not everybody loses baby fat.
Wish she’ll be TV Queen.
i think she’s at least 45. she can’t be only 21 when she was xiao long nv in the ROCH 1995 with Louis Koo! she never reported her age. all are media speculations.
but i must admit i’m enjoying never dance alone!
I can never understand why the younger version of her keep changing her accent. She’s supposed to be from mainland but she keeps forgetting that.
Loletta/Rachel Lee’s character Julie/朱莉 is the one from mainland with a Mandarin accent that Daan Daan/容丹丹 picks on. Carman Lee’s character Mo Siu Si/巫小詩 does not have a Mandarin accent.
Yeah Peter I think you’re watching the wrong one LOL!
She was 24 when she film ROCH 1995
Carman Lee was born in 1967. Jaynestars.com article had the cast’s ages right.
No, if I remember correctly, Carmen was born in either 1973 or 1974. I have several magazines that said her year of birth was 1973 or 1974, not 1967.
I thought she was 25 when she did Roch
i thought so too. there’s no way she was 21 in ROCH. if she’s 40 now, she looks older than her age.
She looks like she is in her 40’s to me! I still think she looks beautiful! I think as she gets her popularity back, she might opts for some enhancement, like other stars. She is looking good to me still.
She’s about 48 yo. Check out the other serials.
Hk ppl only know one filipino song and that is Anak. Those filipino guys speak very good Cantonese.
I like Lawerence Ng in here. It’s different from his previous roles.
If I’m not wrong, she’s older than Louis Koo. She said before in an interview, will not consider Louis Koo as her partner because she doesn’t want a ‘sister-brother’ relationship.
As per Wikipedia, Carman Lee is 40 years old while Louis Koo is 43 years old.
love her!
I like Carmen though I do not know her before as do not watch much TVB series before. She is beautiful and fit. What does it matter and who cares what is her actual age. It is her acting and beauty that spectators look for
I think not only does she look great in the series but her acting is fantastic as well. Kudos to both the youngsters and veteran cast.
I actually find it funny how everyone is so concerned in trying to figure out how old Carmen is. Who cares how old she really is. I think she still looks pretty beautiful and fit for a person who is at whatever age she is. Be it at 40 or 45…she still looks good! Yes, she definitely looks a lot older than she did back when was only in her 20’s…that’s a given fact though because it has been 20 years now, ANYONE would look older! Her skin is still very white and smooth. She has no wrinkles on her eyes nor does she have any wrinkles on her skin. If you ask me she looks pretty good right now. I highly doubt I can look half as good as her when I am in my 40’s! Besides, her acting is great in this drama. She’s the only one who doesn’t over exaggerate her acting in the drama…it’s very natural and easy to watch. I actually think she’s the best one among all the other actresses along with Flora who is acting their characters really well!
Agreed! And besides she suffered years of depression so of course she has aged if she’s been through hard times.
Exactly! Her life experiences has only aged her in a good way! =)
I may be biased as I am her fan, I think she looks great and still so beautiful. Regret to say I’m in my early 30s and I don’t look half as good as her lol.