Profile | How Sammi Cheng became a Cantopop superstar, celebrated actress and style icon, but has endured a rocky relationship with husband Andy Hui
- A Cantopop diva on a similar level as Anita Mui, Sandy Lam and Faye Wong, Sammi Cheng got her first recording contract in 1988 aged 16
- Her duet with future husband Andy Hui, ‘Do You Really Have Me in Your Heart?’, propelled her to stardom, but that romance brought its share of complications
Boasting an entertainment career that spans more than 30 years, Cheng, who was one of four singers dubbed the “Heavenly Queens of Cantopop” in the 1990s, is also celebrated for her film acting and philanthropy.
Cheng’s road to fame began in 1988, when she was 16 and took part in the New Talent Singing Awards. While she only placed third, her potential was evident to the sponsoring record company, Capital Artists, which offered her a recording contract.
Balancing her studies with a burgeoning singing career, Cheng released three full-length studio albums – Sammi, Holiday and Never Too Late. These early albums laid the foundation for her future success.
One of her first major awards came in 1990, when she was recognised as a promising new talent in the RTHK Top 10 Gold Songs Awards staged by Hong Kong’s public broadcaster.
