On the finish of final yr, singer/actress Fiona Sit was within the midst of filming the TV present Recollections Past Horizon when tragedy struck. Her father turned ailing and was admitted to the ICU. Regardless of the difficulties, Fiona was decided to precise her eager for her household and hometown by music.
On the day of the Winter Solstice (Dec. 21), she launched a brand new music referred to as “Hong Kong’s Night time.” This heartfelt work was a easy, sincere story of her personal. “All of us have stunning and mild nights in our hometowns, and in the event you’re lacking dwelling, this music can grow to be ‘Beijing’s Night time’ or ‘Chengdu’s Night time,’ with the identical melody and expression,” Fiona tells Billboard China for a brand new cowl story. “Music is a blessing to us all.”
For twenty years, music has been a relentless companion to Fiona, offering her with a platform to precise feelings, from like to therapeutic. In any case these years, her heartfelt love for music nonetheless shines.
‘I’m additionally shocked that I’ve been singing for 20 years’
Fiona was ranging from scratch when she first stepped into the recording studio. She had no expertise or data of the music trade and was intimidated by the producer and backup singers. With no concept specific her concepts, she was left feeling overwhelmed and helpless. She usually requested questions like, “What shade ought to this sentence be? How shy ought to the boy within the music be? Are there different individuals within the room after we’re collectively? What number of?”
Fiona’s journey to changing into a musician was a rare one. She started as an set up artist, the place she may specific her emotions by her brush and supplies. However when it got here to music, she realized she wanted to collaborate with lyricists, composers and different behind-the-scenes creatives to make one thing particular. She selected to speak by artwork, honing her abilities in an expert manner, till she may use her personal voice to precise her feelings. Fiona’s voice is sort of a distinctive mix of lemon, honey and mint — an ideal concord to precisely painting the colourful feelings of a lady’s coronary heart.
Fiona’s artwork is a vivid expression of her feelings. From the golden trophies she has earned since her debut, to the self-doubt and confusion she experiences in tough instances, to the pink romantic temper of affection and the ideas of her hometown at night time, Fiona’s artwork captures all of it. When she’s caught for inspiration, Fiona turns to portray. As she places it, “Drawing a music is like listening to it again and again and portray an image. The image is the music.”
Changing into a star with out a lot thought
Fiona had massive goals of changing into an artist when she was at school. She studied Artistic Media and Set up Artwork in faculty, however individuals round her usually requested her if she needed to be a mannequin due to her pure magnificence. Regardless of being solely 5-foot-6, she determined to offer it a go and shortly came upon that modeling isn’t nearly strutting down a catwalk — it additionally entails picture shoots and movies. And that’s how Fiona’s modeling profession started. She’s since starred in TV commercials for giant manufacturers like HSBC and Coca-Cola.
“At age 20, I shot commercials for 6-8 hours and earned HKD 3,000-4,000 [around $350-$500 USD] per session. I’d maintain 800 [$100 USD] for myself and gave the remainder to my mother and father, and I haven’t requested them for cash since. Little did I do know again then that modeling would grow to be my future profession. I simply felt I used to be a precocious youngster who was already supporting my household.”
Fiona had all the time been obsessed with singing, but it surely wasn’t till individuals began asking her if she needed to pursue it professionally that she started to noticeably take into account it. She knew her uncle labored at a document firm and had been chargeable for the work of many singers, so she determined to hunt his recommendation. When Fiona informed her uncle about her singing aspirations, he was shocked. “You want singing? Do you may have good pitch?” he requested. Her uncle then organized for her to fulfill with a Warner Music agent and have an off-the-cuff audition at a KTV (a karaoke enterprise). Fiona remembers the entire course of as being fairly magical. She will’t keep in mind a lot about that day, however she was positive that she sang plenty of Leslie Cheung’s songs. Fiona likes to cowl songs by male singers, because it provides her the chance to inform a narrative from a special perspective.
Fiona’s star-studded profession started in the identical yr she launched her debut album and starred in her first film. Director Derek Yee was on the lookout for the proper feminine lead for his upcoming film 2 Younger, and Fiona was the one he selected for the 2005 mission. Years later, once they turned shut pals, Derek joked about Fiona’s audition, “Out of all the ladies who auditioned, you place within the least effort. You confirmed up sporting flip-flops and a saggy T-shirt!” Regardless of her laid-back strategy, Fiona’s ease and authenticity gained over the producers and administrators.
Roaring by the music world for a decade
Fiona’s 2004 debut album F Debut was an enormous success. The music “A Letter From Keanu Reeves” topped the music charts in Hong Kong and gained the “High 10 Gold Songs” award on the Radio Tv Hong Kong’s High Ten Chinese language Gold Songs Award, together with Jay Chou’s “Frequent Jasmine Orange,” Leo Ku’s “Love and Constancy” and Miriam Yeung’s “Storm in a Teacup.”
When Fiona went onstage to just accept the award, she smiled fortunately and easily mentioned “thanks.” After she stepped off the stage, the employees was amazed by her composure. They requested her how she may stay so calm within the face of such an accomplishment. “My calmness can also be happiness, pure pleasure. I simply didn’t suppose an excessive amount of at the moment,” she replied.
Fiona’s life was a whirlwind of actions after reaching fame. She was continuously on the transfer, juggling interviews and picture shoots, and pushing herself to the brink of exhaustion. However amid her hectic way of life, Fiona nonetheless discovered time to replicate on her journey and the longer term forward. In her 2013 music “Expensive Me in Ten Years,” she expresses the fears of a younger woman rising up in a world stuffed with uncertainty: Have I carried out issues that make me proud with out remorse? Have my beliefs stayed robust? Will I maintain my sense of favor as I mature? Ought to I be good as a substitute of impulsive? Am I pleased?
Each time Fiona talked about “Expensive Me in Ten Years” when selling her songs, she would cry as a result of she was actually dealing with the “query marks” within the music, confronted with the unknown, feeling scared and unsure concerning the future. Nonetheless, after sufficient crying and pondering, she started to debate together with her firm that, along with singing and appearing, she needed to step out of her consolation zone and discover new potentialities.
To commemorate her decadelong journey within the music trade since her debut, Fiona launched the conceptual album Tenacious in 2013. She took on many roles for the primary time, from producer to costume designer, cowl designer and artwork director for the music video units and lighting. Fiona selected the album title for a purpose: It displays her relentless pursuit of music and unwavering dedication to her craft.
For this album, Fiona took a courageous step ahead by writing her personal lyrics and composing her personal music for the primary time. The music “Restoration” is a touching reminder of the bond between Fiona and her cat. Fiona’s story is considered one of ache and remorse. After her cat was identified with a painful coronary heart situation, Fiona needed to make the tough determination to let it go. The subsequent day, she discovered solace in her music, and the music “Restoration” was born.
Fiona hopes to consolation those that have skilled unhappiness from parting with this music and be taught to face the impermanence of life, changing into smart in adversity. “We must always not neglect all of the hardships we now have skilled. For those who neglect them, you won’t be able to be taught and acquire from them. Don’t neglect, don’t resent, don’t get indignant. Slowly it can flip from a foul factor into an excellent factor.”
Ten years in the past, Fiona was a confused woman, not sure of what the longer term held. However 10 years later, she had a special outlook. She had discovered that rising up doesn’t must be one thing to be feared, however one thing to be embraced. Fiona expressed this newfound understanding in her music “Me After Ten Years.” By means of her music, she was capable of convey the message that the worth of rising up just isn’t one thing to be dreaded, however a journey that may deliver pleasure and appreciation for all times.
Redefining herself & showcasing her true self on a number of phases
Fiona was crammed with uncertainty earlier than becoming a member of season 3 of the TV sequence Sisters Who Make Waves final yr. Would individuals be let down after seeing her on the present? She recalled her dance instructor’s preliminary impression of her as being chilly, solely to find her humorous aspect after attending to know her. After a lot contemplation, Fiona accepted that whereas she might have a chilly aspect, she is far more than that. The songs she performs on the present will likely be her true self, and thru them, everybody can get to know the actual Fiona.
Fiona was once content material with singing the identical acquainted items. However when she joined Sisters Who Make Waves 3, she needed to embrace a brand new strategy. She was now in a “you select, I be taught” frame of mind. By means of this expertise, Fiona found that her voice can specific a a lot wider vary of feelings. She is now open to studying and collaborating with totally different types and genres, so long as it sounds good.
Fiona is taking a break from releasing new music to concentrate on discovering her true creative id. She desires to make use of her singing to inform tales which are sincere and significant, as a substitute of pretending to be somebody she isn’t. “I need to inform tales which are actual and true to who I’m,” Fiona says. “I’m decided to seek out my very own voice and specific it by my music and its accompanying preparations. By the tip of the yr, I’m hoping to have achieved this purpose and be capable to share my tales with the world.”
If someday Fiona’s profession within the arts involves an finish, she plans to grow to be a director. Years in the past, two goals had come to her within the night time, linked in a manner she couldn’t clarify. From these goals, she had crafted a top level view for a script, a narrative she needed to deliver to life on the large display. Sometime, she hoped, her goals would grow to be an incredible film.
Fiona has had a lifelong curiosity and a ardour for the unknown. For the previous 20 years, she has been on a journey of exploration, pushed by her youthful spirit and accompanied by music and artwork. Regardless of the passing of time, her love and dedication stay unwavering. Even after twenty years in leisure, Fiona stays true to herself.
Fiona Sit on the duvet of Billboard China.
Courtesy of Billboard China
Supply hyperlink