‘I never regret speaking up’: Taiwan-based singer Kimberly Chen on ‘Fragile’ being banned in China

November 1, 2021

Taiwan-based Australian singer Kimberley Chen has no regrets mocking Chinese nationalists even after her albums were taken down in China.

No regrets: The song “Fragile” by Namewee, which features Chen, was banned days after its release in China for insulting the authoritarian government and pro-Beijing nationalists. However, it went viral in neighboring countries and became No. 1 on Hong Kong and Taiwan YouTube.

While Chen earned millions of fans across Asia from the song, her Weibo account was taken down along with her albums on music streaming platforms in China, according to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC News).
“I guess that is just a sign — that’s what happens when sensitive topics are brought up or talked about,” Chen said.
She told ABC News that she was grateful to live in Taiwan and that she was not worried about her career or her safety. “Although maybe one door closes, I have so many other doors that have opened,” she stated.
“I never regret speaking up for something that I believe is the right thing to do,” Chen added.

About the singer: The 27-year-old Australian singer, who once spent four hours a day learning Mandarin, established a music career in Asia and became known among Chinese-speaking audiences at age 16.

While Chen grew up in Australia, she was born to a Malaysian-Chinese migrant family. They relocated to Taiwan in 2009 to pursue Chen’s professional singing career.
She starred as Young Nala in Disney’s “The Lion King” Broadway production in Melbourne and in Shanghai in 2005.
In 2007, she was chosen to sing the national anthem at the AFL Grand Final. Chen also competed in televised singing competition “One Million Star” in 2010.
However, she earned more fame in 2018 when she joined debut girl group survival and reality show “Produce 101 China.”
Today, she has six full-length studio albums and holds several music awards.

Featured Image via Namewee

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