Hong Kong-American singer Coco Lee, the only Chinese artist to perform at the Oscars, died on Wednesday at the age of 48 in a Hong Kong hospital. She had sustained injuries following a suicide attempt days earlier, according to her family.
Lee’s sisters, Carol and Nancy, announced the news through social media posts. Messages on Instagram and Facebook indicated that she had struggled with depression for several years and had attempted to take her own life last Sunday. She remained in a coma in the days that followed.
It was reported that her family shared that Coco had endured a long battle with depression, which had intensified in recent months. The statement noted that while the artist sought professional help and fought the illness, the inner demons proved overwhelming at times.
The family also highlighted Coco Lee’s tireless work and her efforts to broaden horizons for Chinese singers on the international music stage, aiming to let her culture shine for a global audience.
Lee became the first Chinese artist to sign a worldwide contract with Sony Music and remains the only representative of her ethnic group to have performed at the Academy Awards. She sang the song There Is No Other Way in 2000, a track featured in Ang Lee’s film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.
Coco Lee’s passing sparked shock across Hong Kong, mainland China, and Taiwan. Netizens expressed their condolences and reflected on her long and successful career.
The singer was born in Hong Kong in 1975 and moved with her family to San Francisco, United States, at the age of nine. She returned to pursue her career in 1993 by entering a television talent show where she was a finalist and earned her first recording contract.
Her early regional breakthrough came with a Chinese-language album released in Taiwan in 1994, Love From Now On, followed by her first English-language project in 1999, There Is No Other Way.
Over the course of her career Coco Lee appeared in several films and released more than fifteen records that sold millions of copies worldwide. One of her singles, Do You Want My Love, reached number four on the US Billboard chart in December 1999.
Among her influences were global stars such as Michael Jackson, Beyoncé, Stevie Wonder, Madonna, and Mariah Carey. She shared the stage with some of these artists during various performances and collaborations over the years.
As the family and fans process this loss, discussions have focused on her legacy in bridging East and West in pop music and on the importance of supporting artists dealing with mental health challenges.
Note: This summary reflects reported statements from family members and public coverage up to the time of Coco Lee’s passing. While details about her health history were shared by relatives, readers should refer to official statements and reliable outlets for the latest information.