More than 20 million records have been sold by Fish Leong since she launched her professional singing career in Taiwan during the late 1990s. Originally from Bahau, Malaysia, this pop performer established a significant regional presence across Asian markets including China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Japan through a prolific output of studio albums and collaborative projects.
Career Beginnings and Breakthrough
Born Leong Chui Peng on 16 June 1978, the artist adopted the English name Fish after the Cantonese pronunciation of the final character in her Chinese name. She signed with Rock Records in October 1997 under the guidance of producer Jonathan Lee. Her debut effort, Grown Up Overnight, reached the public in September 1999 but suffered from limited promotion following the Taiwan earthquake that same year. Her commercial breakthrough arrived with the 2000 album, Courage.
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Leong has maintained a consistent release schedule spanning over two decades. Following her early success, she released albums such as Shining Star in 2001, Sunrise in 2002, and Beautiful in 2003. Her mid-career period saw the release of Wings of Love, Silkroad of Love, and Kissing the Future of Love. Later projects include J'Adore, Fall in Love & Songs, What Love Songs Didn't Tell You, and Love in Heart. Her recent work includes The Sun Also Rises and The Wonder of Wandering Life.
Personal Life and Public Advocacy
In February 2010, Leong married Taiwanese wine merchant Tony Chao in the Philippines. The couple had one son, Anderson Chao, born in 2014. Leong announced their divorce in September 2019 while promoting an album in Taipei. Beyond her musical work, she has engaged in social advocacy, notably collaborating with Eve Ai on a remake of Sea You Soon to support the legalization of same-sex marriage for transnational couples. During an October 2021 forum, she discussed personal mental health management strategies utilized during the global pandemic.
Fast facts
- Born: 16 June 1978, Bahau, Malaysia
- Professional debut: 1997
- Record label: Rock Records
- Notable work: Silkroad of Love
- Son: Anderson Chao
- Languages spoken: Chinese, Malay
- Occupations: Singer, recording artist, actor
Questions readers ask
Why is she called Fish Leong?
She adopted the name because the final character of her Chinese name, 茹, sounds like the Cantonese word for fish.
Who discovered Fish Leong?
She was discovered by Jonathan Lee, who subsequently became her godfather.
