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Template:Infobox musical artist 2
Wei Wei (韦唯) is a Chinese pop singer, song writer and actress. She was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia and grew up in Liuzhou,Guangxi.
After a career in China spanning twenty years Wei Wei is said to be the country's greatest singer in modern times. By the media Wei Wei has been named “China’s Whitney Huston”, “China’s Madonna” and “China’s Celine”, amongst others. According to estimates her music has been distributed through more than 200 million cassettes and CD’s in China , which makes her one of the greatest selling single artists in the world. She sings in Mandarin and English and she is one of the most requested artists for big events and television shows in the country, as well as for Chinese events abroad. She is also requested as an ambassador for China at international events.
Wei Wei has been an Olympic Ambassador for China since 1993 when the Chinese Olympic Committee for the first time applied for the games. She is supporting the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics by performing at the major Olympic events in China and abroad. In 2004 she received the highest number of votes in an Internet survey as to who shall sing the theme song of the Chinese Olympics. Wei Wei was the single representative for Asia at the 100 years anniversary show at the Olympic Games in Atlanta, USA 1996.
In September 2006 Wei Wei's song "I want to fly" (the mandarin version of "Where we are") was appointed Official Song for the 2008 Olympic Sailing City of Qingdao by the Chinese Olympic Committee and the Sailing Committee (Qingdao) of Beijing For the Games of the XXIX Olympiad.
This year (2006) Wei Wei celebrates 20 years on stage. The anniversary is highlighted by the production of new recordings of her 20 greatest hits – The Wei Wei 20X20 Celebration Collection. The recordings are being produced in Stockholm, London and Los Angeles.
Her breakthrough came in 1986, when she won the National Young Singers contest on Chinese television. The year after in 1987 China sent a representative to an international pop competition for the first time ever: The 24th Poland Sopot International Song Festival. She won the competition, and the "Miss Photo-category” as well, which brought her even more attention. Four years later, she was chosen to perform at the 11th Asian Games in Beijing, and sang a duet with Spanish singer Julio Iglesias at the 1993 East Asian Games in Shanghai.
Since 1999 she has been living in Sweden.
Biography
Early life
Wei Wei was born in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia Her father was employed by China Central Railway. While in kindergarten, she practiced different instruments, classical ballet and singing and was trained to perform in front of large audiences from the age of four. Aged seven, Wei Wei’s family moved to Liuzhou in Guangxi province. At the age of 14 Wei Wei moved to Beijing by herself and started to work for one of China’s largest performance units: the Beijing Cultural Song and Dance Group. As a young unit member she participated in all kinds of performances as well as the activities around them – dancing, singing, playing instruments, choreography, stage design, lights etc. The unit traveled all over the country, often doing several live performances in one day.
1986–1987 The breakthrough
1986
Wei Wei won the National Young Singers contest on Chinese television with the song “Want to take one more chance to look at you”.
1987
Representing China in the nation’s first participation in an international pop competition: The 24th Sopot International Music Festival in Poland. She participated and won with her song.
1988–1992 The rising stardom
1988
Star of the night with the theme song for CCTV’s Chinese New Year’s Eve Show "Gathering the Year of the Dragon." The song was also presented at CCTV’s Spring Festival Live Show.
Obtained a special award for the hit song “Enamored pursue” at the Mysamy International Music Festival.
The hit “Same song” won the gold medal in the Beijing International Song Festival.
1989
Her song “Dedication of love” became a national hit she became the symbol for charity fund raising activities. Wei Wei was crowned “The Icon of Love” by Chinese media.
The song “Today is your birthday” won the gold medal at Jian Brand Cup and Beijing Radio Song Competition. It has since been used as the theme song for the national day.
1990
The song “Asian Mighty Winds” was introduced at the Asian Games and immediately became a national hit. Wei Wei was dubbed “Queen of Sports” in Chinese media and has since been considered the Icon of Sports Music.
1991
Initiated and staged a charity fundraising show in China for saving victims of flooded areas in Eastern China. Her song “Our shared homeland” crowned the event. It became a hit and the show was the most successful fundraising event of the year.
Starring in the movie “The Diva's story” which, during it’s time, was considered China’s most popular music film.
1992
Warmly welcomed in the South Pacific as she made a special performance at the “Miss Asia Competition Show” in Hong Kong.
Lead singer in the fist concert tour in American major cities arranged by the China Central Song and Dance Group.
1993–1996 The international boost
1993
Lead singer at the East Asian Games opening and closing ceremony together with Spanish singer and star Julio Iglesias.
Representing China for the Beijing Summer Olympic bidding campaign in Monaco.
Lead singer at the Asian Games opening show in Hiroshima.
1994
Star of the night at the “Chinese New Years Show” in Carnegie Hall, New York, broadcasted by CCTV.
The song “Wind coming from the East” became a hit at a show in Shanghai Oriental TV. The song is since the TV-station’s theme song.
Released the first English album in China: The Twilight.
1995
Concert tour "Wei Wei and the World" in major cities on mainland China: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Kunming amongst others.
1996
Representing Asia at the centennial anniversary of the Olympic Games in Atlanta. Portrayed in a CNN 15-minute special as the only Asian representative for the Olympic anniversary shows; one show for each Olympic ring and continent. Performed in front of 60,000 people in the audience at the Olympic Park in Atlanta.
Participated in the new Beijing Capital Stadium Opening Show
1997–2002 The national icon
1997
Main performer at The Night of Hong Kong Return to China; A live show held at Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The new song “Broad highway” became a national hit and is since then considered a “national pop song.”
1998
Star of the evening with the song “Dedication of love” at this year’s largest charity fundraising show for the victims of the flooded Yangtze River. The show was held in the People's Hall in Beijing, with stars from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Tai Wan. Broadcasted by CCTV.
Lead singer at several national galas for the celebration of China’s 50th anniversary.
1999
Compilation album “Wei Wei’s Devotion” named the most popular pop album in China.
Concert at American Ceasar’s Palace in Paris.
2000
Member of the Chinese Olympic Committee and representing China in the bidding campaign for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
Lead singer at a live show together with Sydney Opera and Shanghai Opera.
2001
Ambassador at charity fundraising concerts for the victims in Sri Lanka.
2002
Star of the night at China’s New Year’s galas on CCTV Beijing.
2003–2005 The New Wei
2003
Special invited artist at galas arranged in Beijing in the honor of healthcare staff after the Sars-epidemic.
Initiating an international management company Wei Wei International Management in Stockholm for the purpose of developing her international career - weiweiint.com.
2004
Release of the new Western produced songs All there is and Where we are. Launching of a new photo book.
Main performer at several major Olympic events: Celebration as the Chinese Olympic medalists were welcomed home from the Olympic Games in Athens, Olympic Cooperation Show in Hong Kong, the presentation of the Beijing 2008 logo, the symbolic construction start of the new Olympic Stadium in Beijing.
Voted “The most requested opening singer at the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics”, on an internet survey.
Lead singer at the opening ceremony show for the Formula 1 Racetrack in Shanghai.
2005
Star of the largest New Year’s celebration show in China, with a song of praise dedicated to China and the rest of the world. The show was broadcasted to several hundreds of millions of television viewers in China and internationally.
Lead singer at several Olympic Shows, the launch of the Olympic Games mascots and the countdown from 1000 days. Opening artist at the opening ceremony of the 10th China National Games – considered a "dress rehearsal" for the Beijing 2008 Olympics. At the show for the international unveiling of China's Olympic slogan: "One World – One Dream” Wei Wei performed Andrew Lloyd Webber's song Love Changes Everything.
Named one of “Top Ten Heroic Women in China.” Nomination and selection were made by Unesco Beijing, Peking University, China Youth Daily, China Reform Daily, CETV, Sohu.com and Macau STV.
2006–2007 Celebrating 20 years on stage
2006
Wei Wei celebrates 20 years on stage. The anniversary is highlighted by the release of twenty new recordings of her 20 greatest hits. The first one, a medley that consists of parts of her five greatest hits, was launched on May 8: The 20X20 Dance Loop.
Wei Wei released worldwide on digital download distributor iTunes Music Store.
Released the new official site – www.weiweimusic.com
International tour for the celebration of the Chinese New Year: Los Angeles, Vienna, Toronto and Barcelona. Star of the evening at the Olympic Show held in Toronto.
Jury member in China’s largest song competition: “The National Young Singers Grand Award.”
Performing with her new theme song One World One Dream at an Olympic Show at the Great Wall and the same evening in a Beijing performance together with Olympic athletes.
SONGS AND MUSIC
Singer and training
Wei Wei had a classical training since early age in kindergarten.
She has recorded more than one thousands songs, performed several thousands of times, and she regularly performs in front of massive audiences, both live and on television.
She has made film music and also acted in the movie "The Singer’s Story" which, during it’s time, was considered China’s most popular music film.
Song list
Songs in mandarin (names translated to English) from three of her latest records:
Dedication of love
Asian wind
The red flower
Tears of a lover
Love song to the moon
Understanding
Looking at you
You are the one
Woman like a bird
True feelings
A soft world
The same homeland
Today is your birthday
The lolo song
True love
Searching for love
Telling to the spring
The same song
Welcome to Beijing
This wonderful world
Common holiday
Good luck to you
Sparkling sky
Love for Chishui
Green snares of love
Look up at the sparkling sky
Thanks
I believe in China
Songs in English:
All there is / Multiplay
Where we are /Multiplay
Love Changes Everything / Andrew Lloyd Webber
If you believe / Peter Jöback/Anders Bagge
A completed list of songs will be published within shortly. It is now (August 2006) being translated from Chinese to English./weiweimusic
Western influences
Wei Wei was in early age influenced by western music. With friends she secretly listened to forbidden radio stations from the west. The Swedish group ABBA is an example of what inspired Wei Wei to become a pop singer and to learn English.
Wei Wei has an international career and has performed with several western artists. Since 2003 she produces new music in studios in Stockholm, London and Los Angeles and her new music is produced by western teams.
All there is (Mandarin: Its all different) / Multiplay Music – Vinny Vero, Peter Malmrup, Andreas Hedlund, Erik Nova
Where we are (Mandarin: I want to fly) / Multiplay Music – Fatima Rainey, Brian Hobbs, Andreas Aleman, Andreas Hedlund, Erik Nova
"Love Changes Everything" / Andrew Lloyd Webber
If you believe (Duet with Peter Jöback) / Murlin Music – Anders Bagge
The Dance loop / Eclectic – Johan Åberg
- - Broad Highway
- - It’s all different
- - Asian Wind
- - The lolo song
- - Welcome to Beijing
OLYMPICS
Olympic ambassador
Wei Wei is the musical Olympic Ambassador of China since 1993. She has been representing and supporting the Chinese Olympic Committee in their work to obtain the Olympic Games in Beijing. After winning the games that day in Moscow July 13 2001, Wei Wei has performed as leading star at most of the shows held to celebrate the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics.
1993
Olympic Application Campaign. Monaco
1996
Olympic 100 years celebration Show. Atlanta, USA
2000
Olympic Application Campaign. Moscow, Russia
2004
Launch of Olympic Logo. Beijing, China
Start Building Olympic Stadium “The Bird nest”. Beijing, China
Olympic Investment Meeting Hong Kong-Mainland. Hong Kong
Athén Olympic Medalist Celebration Show. Beijing, China
Olympic Song Program Show. Beijing, China
Olympic Sports Film Festival. Beijing, China
2005
Launch Olympic Slogan “One World One Dream”. Beijing, China
Olympic “dress rehearsal” Opening 10th National Game. Nanjing, China
Launch of Olympic Mascots. Beijing, China
1000 Days Countdown Show. Beijing, China
2006
Olympic Celebration Show. Toronto, Canada
Great Wall Olympic Show. Great Wall, China
Olympic Athletes Celebration Show. Beijing, China
Olympic Sailing City Opening Ceremony. Qingdao, China
Two Years Countdown Show. Beijing, China
See pictures of the Olympic Ambassador Shows
The two year countdown
Wei Wei’s role as Olympic Ambassador is expected to accelerate as the preparations for the Beijing 2008 Summer Olympics are getting more intense. Wei Wei is a member of the Chinese Olympic Committee and is working closely together with the different groups arranging the ceremonies and events for the Olympics.
Wei Wei is expected to be the singer of the Official Olympic Song at the opening ceremony.
CHARITY
The good cause
Wei Wei is one of the country’s foremost personalities supporting money fundraising activities. She is a member of several organizations and can regularly be seen on charity events and TV shows – as a performer as well as a VIP-guest.
Some examples:
1989
Her song “Dedication of love” became a national hit she became the symbol for charity fund raising activities. Wei Wei was crowned “The Icon of Love” by Chinese media.
1991
Initiated and staged a charity fundraising show in China for saving victims of flooded areas in Eastern China. Her song “Our shared homeland” crowned the event. It became a hit and the show was the most successful fundraising event of the year.
1998
Star of the evening with the song “Dedication of love” at this year’s largest charity fundraising show for the victims of the flooded Yangtze River. The show was held in the People's Hall in Beijing, with stars from Mainland China, Hong Kong and Tai Wan. Broadcasted by CCTV.
2001
Ambassador at charity fundraising concerts for the victims in Sri Lanka.
2003
Special invited artist at two galas arranged in Beijing in the honor of healthcare staff after the Sars-epidemic.
Wei Wei speaks – the audience cries. That was the headline in Beijing Evening News the day after the large outdoor performance in Chao Yang Park arranged by the Ministry of Health for all the staff at all the Beijing Hospitals. See more.
2004
Performed at China’s largest charity ball for the cause of handicapped. The Deng Family with Deng Pu Fang, son of the former Chinese leader Deng Xiao Ping, organized a charity gala for disabled people in Beijing. Wei Wei performed with her song Dedication of Love, which she sang with a blind artist, Yang Haito. See more.
2005
Wei Wei performed at the charity show “The Happiness Project” for mothers in Shenzhen. The project works to support mothers still having difficulties in one of the fastest growing regions of China. Shenzhen has developed from a poor agricultural community into one of the richest cities in the country in less than a generation. See more.
Wei Wei Trust Foundation
Wei Wei is (2006) initiating a charity fund in Sweden with the purpose of supporting charity organizations and projects in China. The purpose is also to bridge cultural gaps and help to overcome difficulties between Eastern and Western fund raising projects.
PERSONAL life
Relationships and family
Information will be added within shortly:
The children
Together with her former husband Wei Wei has three boys: Symington, Remington and Vinson. They were born in Atlanta, USA. The three boys have been travelling with Wei Wei from an early age. They have been seen on several performances, TV-shows and talk shows in China, and are today well known and popular in the country.
Since 1999 Wei Wei lived with her family in Tyringe, in southern Sweden. In 2004 the children moved with Wei Wei to Stockholm, the capital of Sweden.
Wei Wei has sole custody of the three boys since December 21 2005. All of them have permanent residence permits in Sweden.
The divorce
On April 17 2004, after 10 years of marriage, Wei Wei was divorced by her American husband Michael Joseph Smith.
The long process of the divorce was a dark and difficult period in the family’s life. Due to the fact that the couple had lived in Sweden since several years back, the divorce had to be handled according to Swedish law, and take place in Swedish courts.
The new life
For Wei Wei, divorcing after 10 years of marriage, meant the start of a new life. The three boys became her sole responsibility, and having to raise children alone in Sweden while working in China, changed her entire situation.
For the purpose of her international career Wei Wei and her former husband had, prior to the divorce, initiated a management company in Stockholm: Wei Wei International Management Inc.
To work with new people, set up new goals, produce new music and search for new influences became an important factor to keep up the motivation and balance in Wei Wei’s life during the divorcing years.
Wei Wei was inspired to search for new music, design, performance, dancing and entertainment as well as trying new things in life for herself and her children – like sailing, mountaineering, skating, cross country skiing and even down hill skiing.
The new lifestyle and spirit was expressed with new songs and a photo book in the spring of 2004. The songs “All there is” and “Where we are” was produced in English and Mandarin, and the photo book “The New Wei – my new way” was released in China.
See also
External links
WEIWEIMUSIC.COM - Wei Wei Official Site
WEIWEIINT.COM - Wei Wei Management Site
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