Top TVB Actresses Gone; Is Linda Chung Next?
Many of TVB’s top actresses have left the station for higher pay in Mainland China or lessening their workload after marriage. Following the departures of Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) and Myolie Wu (胡杏兒) from TVB, Tavia Yeung (楊怡) is also expected to leave once her contract expires in April. Aimee Chan (陳茵媺) has been on extended leave-of-absence since giving birth to two sons and nursing her current pregnancy. With Linda Chung‘s (鍾嘉欣) wedding announcement and speculation that she is currently five months pregnant, it is expected that she will be absent from TVB screens for some time as well.
Charmaine Sheh
Being crowned TV Queen twice in her career, Charmaine Sheh (佘詩曼) has always been very popular with viewers. She has starred in many well-known dramas, such as Line Walker <使徒行者> and Beyond the Realm of Conscience <宮心計>. Charmaine ventured into the Mainland Chinese market, which offers significantly higher pay. Subsequently, Charmaine attempted to sign short-term contracts with TVB China, where she would be involved in dramas on an ad-hoc basis. This eventually did not work out and Charmaine has decided not to renew her contract.
Myolie Wu
At the end of her 16th year with TVB, even TV Queen Myolie Wu (胡杏兒) left and signed with Stephen Shiu Jr‘s (蕭定一) company, GME. Myolie was allegedly offered $35 million HKD as a sign-on bonus. Moreover, since her marriage with Philip Lee (李承德) last December and her earlier establishment of a bridal studio, Myolie made plans to gradually fade out of the TVB spotlight.
Aimee Chan
Miss Hong Kong 2006, Aimee Chan (陳茵媺) finally made it to the A-list after spending years toiling away at TVB. After marrying Moses Chan (陳豪) in 2013, Aimee took a leave-of-absence to raise their two sons. Currently pregnant with her third baby, it would be difficult for Aimee to make a comeback anytime soon.
Tavia Yeung
Another TV Queen, Tavia Yeung (楊怡) would see her contract with TVB expire in April. There have been rumors that Tavia plans to settle down and marry long-term boyfriend, Him Law (羅仲謙), and is thus not inclined to renew her contract with TVB. On whether she would be getting married soon, Tavia said coyly, “I would naturally share the good news with everyone, if I had any!” As for whether she plans to slow down the pace of her work, Tavia gave a straightforward answer, “I don’t wish to work too hard, as I’m getting old!”
Linda Chung
Linda Chung is also expected to significantly slow down her television dramas output as well. Linda quietly registered her marriage with TVB Chairman Norman Leung‘s (梁乃鵬) nephew, a Canadian-Chinese chiropractor known as Jeremy, in fall 2015. The couple’s wedding banquet will be held on February 27 in Vancouver. As Linda is also reportedly five months pregnant, she is likely to not be involved in new filming projects for some time.
Linda has requested leave of absence until March 31 from TVB to take enjoy her new marriage. TVB executive Virginia Lok (樂易玲) said, “Let’s wait until she is done with her wedding banquet.” Asked the length of Linda’s remaining contract with TVB, Ms. Lok said, “There’s still some time left. Getting married and starting a family will not affect her contract.” Asked whether Linda will film dramas after having a baby, Ms. Lok said, “No problem!”
However, Linda’s music teacher, Pancy Lau (劉鳳屏), felt that Linda wants to eventually fade from the television spotlight. Pancy told reporters, “She wants a change. When I was young, I felt the same way. Sometimes [Linda] feels stressed from work, so she wants to relax a bit!”
This article is written by Jingles for JayneStars.com.
While Ms. Lok’s response is neutral that #LindaChung can still film after she has a baby, I highly doubt that will be possible. Since Linda’s husband and parents are based in Canada, she will likely spend the majority of her time there. Filming a tv drama would require at a 3-month commitment at a time. She may not wish to be separated from her husband and baby for such lengthy times, especially since the couple is well off.
However, Linda may make occasional appearances in HK for endorsement deals, similar to the jobs that Aimee Chan sometimes take.
@jayne Agreed. Linda seemed like the kind who would prioritise family over career, especially given her current age and/or situation. Unless her husband is willing to relocate to HK, I highly doubt she would be filming any dramas in the near future (give 1-3 years).
@jayne with a baby on the way, hubby having a clinic in canada and also her parents are there, i doubt she would want to be separated from them.
With him based in Canada and a baby on the way, really doubt she will be in a drama anytime soon.
Guess they will be promoting Nancy more now, which isn’t bad as she’s a good actress. Not much leading lady left for sure.
@happybi about time right? Nancy was always an actress that got left at the shelves and always played supporting roles.
@riceball120 It is. I actually like Mandy too.. something quiet about her that I like. So wouldn’t mind if they promote her too. Just please none of the newbies!!!
@happybi yes TVB should stop casting the newbies into major roles and leave it to the ones that have been at the station way, way much longer (i.e. Natalie, Nancy, Mandy, and anyone else i missed) instead of the likes of Sisley and Grace. They would do themselves a great favor, however, TVB is either too blind or stupid to realize this and keeps casting newbies that need more training.
@riceball120 Honestly I think TVB just don’t care as people there don’t have much of an option when it come to what to watch on TV. So they just promote those newbies as they are probably cheaper and easier to handle!
@happybi true. TVB can careless now, probably why the scripts these days have been so bad that i just avoid them until further notice of one that is good but then the english subs part come into play because i dont understand the language lol
@happybi Nancy is highly popular with viewers, especially after her TV Queen win last year. I’m hoping Natalie Tong will get more screen time and better roles as well. Rosina Lam isn’t doing too bad either, her tomboy character in currently airing “Short End of the Stick” is quite enjoyable to watch actually!
@happybi
i like nancy, she’s pretty and acts well. i actually like grace out of all the newbies. she’s pretty. others are so nah…..
@m0m0 grace is pretty but needs to not overact..cant always depend on her pretty face.
@m0m0 I like Grace out of all too but her acting…. not that much and she really talks too much when it come to her dating life with Kevin. I do find her pretty though.
I think she’ll leave. People are not getting young. At her age the priority is having a baby first. Plus her husband is rich too.
I have a feeling she will move back to Canada to be closer to her family and husband. She hinted her family is her priority. As for her contract? Oh well…maybe Norman Leung can work it out somehow with TVB for Linda lol
Fadans cycle every 10 – 15 yrs which is a pretty good life span. Myolie and Linda also took over from other Fadans back in early 2000s so its time. Actresses at their age either have the option to start taking on mother or villainess roles or they retire to have families/start a business…etc. than in another 10 years time we will hear of some big anniversary series where myolie and linda will be invited back to play some 2nd lead role which will make big headlines and ratings. Its just a cycle.
@ says
Very good points. The major problem with TVB now is that they haven’t found the successors for the fadans from Myolie, Fala, Kate, Tavia, Linda era yet…
@olivegarden
I think Tracy Chu, Eliza Sam, Samantha Ko, Priscilla Wong can be successors. They each have their distinctive type of beauty and can fit different roles. Their acting also not bad and is improving fast, and they have screen presence, and some have audience likability.
There are also old timers that are still with TVB such as Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu, Rosina Lam, Natalie Tong that TVB can promote.
Imho, the major problem with TVB is not that they don’t have successors, but, they don’t know how to groom their existing actors and actresses. They have many actresses that have the look and acting skills/talent, but, they put all their resources on 1 or 2.
Eliza sum will be her replacement
@looooooooooo looks wise yes. When I first saw Eliza Sam in sniper, I thought wow prettier than Linda Chung, finally a tvb actress who’s sweet as Linda, can be her replacement. However after so many dramas her acting is still very amateurish, what a pity. I put my bet on Ali Li now, very pretty as well, hope her acting can match up.
@olivegarden yes those 5 fadans you mentioned were good enough to fill the shoes of older fadans jessica, maggie, kenix, flora, ada when they left. Out of the new so called fadans Priscilla, Eliza, grace, Sisley, Tracy, Samantha, Ali, jacqueline, only Priscilla is ready but shes not young.
If Linda choose to leave tvb I think it’s good for her because she doesn’t get to win anything much and plus she’s now married of course have to be closed to her family especially they’re really close to each other the close the better. I do hope Natalie Tong and Mandy Wong will get more opportunities to win a Tv Queen one day.
@asian2015 this is a good chance for her to retire gracefully…marrying a canadian guy and having a baby.
she left her ex because that fella wasn’t keen to get married.
Linda always said that she would go back to Vancouver. It was only a matter of when and now seems like that will be finally happening now. Her husband’s practice and family is based there. I don’t see her being active in the near future regardless of the length of her contract, especially with the baby on the way. I wouldn’t be surprised if Norman stepped in to help with contract negotiations or arrangements in perhaps, termination of the remaining length. Either way, just hope that Linda won’t disappear for good!
Nancy, Natalie and others will take over as fadans. Though I do wonder that with Linda leaving, will TVB step up and come through for Tavia? Her contract is due in April, right?
@mpy8
I don’t think it’s a matter of TVB stepping up and coming through with Tavia, rather it’s whether Tavia wants to stay with TVB. TVB does not have an upper hand.
@anon Ah … good point. The Fadan/Sui Sang drought is real at TVB. I can’t blame artists for leaving TVB where the pay and conditions suck. Outside of Nancy and Kristal, I don’t see any of the newer generations of Fadans even standing a chance right now. There are under promoted artists who I think are actually good like Rosina that I hope TVB will push.
I feel like I’m the only one who doesn’t like her. Her performances never convinces me. I don’t know how she got so many lead roles in the past. She ain’t attractive to me and her voice is eh… Congratulations to her, though! I am in no rush to see her in dramas. 😛
I thought Linda was mid-30s..
@nother
No, you are not the only one. I never dislike or like her period. Her performances and roles are easily forgettable just like Ron Ng, both cute to look at but they don’t leave me a wow impression on anything they’ve ever played. If you don’t have the looks, at least you will have roles that will make us think of them but both I have to say, we can watch for the sake of watching and when bored but will not really get into it.
She is smart thou I mean at/after a certain age, if you are thinking of kids and family better do it early than late and missing those $ boats.
@nother you’re not the only one…i find linda just another face. her singing is terrible and acting is limited to just cry baby roles and rather stoned. she can’t make it even after so many years.
@janet72 agree ….she is overrated
@nother
You took the words right out of my mouth.
I do give credit to Linda for being genuine and an upstanding person overall. She’s one of the few at TVB that isn’t fake.
Newbie alert! There’s a new face going to debut in a few day. I think it’s the drama called Fashion War and who else is in there but miss HK 2014 Veronica Shiu.
@kaykay408 serious, Veronica Shiu ? One of the worst Miss HK ever, with Sisley Choi in the same series, oh no..
I’ll have fast forward their scenes…and I was looking forward to this series. ☹️☹️☹️
LINDA, is definitely not coming back in the near future… She is definitely pregnant but not past 3 months so cannot announce it yet,she basically said that today in an interview at her wedding.
Plus her husband wants 4 kids which she said she will accommodate .
A return is highly unlikely, plus her acting hasn’t improved in years.. Just look at K-9 Cop, her role sux..
Her best role was in Moonlight Resonance..or even Gem of Life..
@mulder99 4 kids! That is a lot but if they can financially support them 4 is a good #! My favorite drama of her is still A journey call life with Steven Ma.
@happybi
Her husband is a millionaire. 4 would be a piece of cake.
@anon make it 6…since studying in canada is not as stressful as HK.
@anon Really depends… if his house if paid for and he doesn’t have any debt then a million is a lot of money. But if he is in debt then it’s not really a lot of money. 4 kids is actually a very good number.. Wishing them the best for sure.
@mulder99 please stay in canada…after so many years, her acting has improved at all. so 木 or else like a bull dog in tiger cubs. thank goodness i am not the only one who feels her K9 role is pretentious.
Linda is likely gone and won’t be back either till maybe if her children grows up. A big loss for TVB and viewers. In the next 2 years it’s likely 50%+ series will be dominated by Grace or Sisley.
Waaaa…..finally saw clips of LC and new husband. First of all, he looks much older than his 40s don’t know if it’s the old man hairstyle or whatever definitely looks old next to her. Oh well…lol she’s only known the guy for 10 months total so definitely a quick courtship and marriage. From a 8 year relationship straight to marriage barely a year. She sounds like she hit the jackpot thou……definitely won’t n back to TVB immediately after marriage since she is def pregos but due to Chinese traditions won’t jink it.
@kiki
The longer the relationship the more difficult it is to marry because like most relationships it gets boring and there’s plenty of temptations outside of the relationship. Jumping from one relationship to another is not a good idea either because making impulsive decisions in times of vulnerability can increase the chance of it being a bad decision. Not saying that this definitely what is what is happening here. She could well have made the best decision of her life.
Charmaine has left as well now?! Does she have any remaining dramas left with tvb? Since she was at the front of the 2016 calendar..
@melodylai
I think she was supposed to be in a historic series with a queen role taylor made for her but she has pulled out of I can remember correctly
@jimmyszeto Yeah I know about that already, Tavia and Nikki Chow rejected the role too.
I just read on another website that tvb is remaking ‘The Shell Game’ and Charmaine is going to be in that with Kenneth Ma and Patrick Tse.. Perhaps she is on a ‘per series’ contract?
@melodylai
I think she left briefly after the love series with Moses and then came back to TVB to sign a per series contract with TVB after not finding much success in the mainland. It’s difficult to go to the mainland to compete with young local talent. I assume she is still on the per series contract right now.