Anita Mui was one of Hong Kong’s best-love stars. In a career spanning 23 years, she was a singing sensation and accomplished actress, performing around the world and starring in international acclaimed films. She sadly fell victim to cancer in 2003. Citylife magazine talks to her mother, Tam Mei-kam Mui, about her life and daughter.
What was it about Anita that captured the public’s imagination-and their hearts? Anita was very unique. That’s why she stood out. Hong Kong and overseas audiences even the record company, said it was hard to find anybody similar to her. What Anita did onstage, her outfits, her movements, her style, was all very “Anita”.
When she was a little girl, could you see her star potential? When she was three years old Anita’s uncle would come to visit and we always played music. Once when he came, Anita offered to sing a song. Her uncle played Little Flower Girl and Anita sang it all the way through, with hardly any mistakes.
Anita won a major talent contest at a very young age. were you nervous about her going to limelight? When Anita won the talent contest, she was still only 17 and she signed up for Warner Music Hong Kong straight away. I fully supported her because she had talent in singing and performing. Both sisters love performing even when they were young. The press reported that Anita was sent out to sing in public to support the family. this is not true. Iused to work as a Chinese doctor and after that, my cousin and I sold cosmetics to the bar girls in Wanchai from 9pm, all night until the next morning. this was our source of income to support the family, not Anita. But when Anita started to make money, it was logical for her to support her family.
