Pop diva Coco Lee Man (李玟), a Hong Kong-born singer and songwriter, has died at the age of 48 after attempting suicide at her home on Sunday.
Coco’s sister Nancy Lee (李思林) confirmed Coco Lee’s passing on Wednesday. Nancy Lee said that Coco Lee had been suffering from depression, but did not mention Coco Lee’s husband, Bruce Rockowitz, a Canadian businessman. Rockowitz’s extramarital affairs had once caused Coco Lee drop down to 42.3kg.
There have been similar cases. After Taiwanese-American singer and songwriter Wang Leehom (王力宏) and his ex-wife Lee Jing-lei (李靚蕾) separated, Lee posted articles about Wang’s infidelity and private life. The two brought the case to court and recently, a New York court approved the divorce, Wang’s lawyer said.
Actresses Joey Wang (王祖賢) and Brigitte Lin (林青霞) also share a similar fate. Lin and Wang are attractive and rich, but their relationships with men have been far from rosy. Wang’s relationship with musician Chyi Chin (齊秦) had been on and off for years.
Celebrities and entertainers appear on the surface to be glowing and perfect.
However, a great number of their marriages prove to be unhappy. This has to do with the reality of life and of human nature. Their lives might look wonderful, but the darker side is usually hidden from the public.
Such cases are reminiscent of an essay titled Cracks in Our Lives by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC) founder Morris Chang (張忠謀). The essay and its adaptation into a song, To Those Who Are Fortunate, both offer food for thought.
Chang said that in a society where appearance matters so much, people cannot help but envy “beautiful” people. Meanwhile, they often become obsessed with what they do not have.
Chang reminded people that nobody is perfect. Everyone is born with some cracks in the veneer. Even though people do not want those cracks in their lives, they have to accept that the cracks are with them. People might envy female entertainers who live a luxurious life after marrying a billionaire. They are money-rich, but many of them are lonely. Money cannot buy happiness. No wonder US founding father Benjamin Franklin said: “Money never made a man happy yet, nor will it.”
On the contrary, Taiwanese supermodel and actress Lin Chi-ling’s (林志玲) husband is not a billionaire, but he is positive and talented, compassionate and sympathetic to others. He has offered Lin support and sincere care when she suffered from a family loss. It is only natural that he could win over Lin. He is a model for all men to follow.
Happiness is not to be sought outside, but in one’s own garden. In a relationship, what matters is not a person’s wealth, but their personality and integrity.
Coco Lee’s stage performances were always energetic and joyful. People are shocked by her sudden passing. It is most regrettable that she ended her life this way.
It might also be the case that people have romanticized others’ lives while paying too much attention to what they lack.
While the media have shown people how others live, they tend to forget that it is only a small part that they are able to see. It is highly likely that the celebrities and entertainers only reveal the parts that look perfect.
People must remember that nobody is perfect. Everyone can be vulnerable, feel uncertain and down.
Even so, the cracks in our lives might be able to bring us some strength to confront ourselves.
Teng Hon-yuan is a university professor.
Translated by Emma Liu
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