Pop singer Selina Jen (任家萱) of the popular girl band S.H.E. made her first public appearance yesterday, months after she was seriously burned in China during the shooting of an explosion scene for a TV show.
“Sorry for making everyone so worried. I can finally go home today,” Selina said with tears and a smile to a conference hall packed with reporters at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City (新北市).
With closely cropped hair and wearing gloves, the 29-year-old singing sensation thanked her medical team, family, fiance, fans and peers for supporting her and praying for her along the way.
Photo: Hu Shun-hsiang, Taipei Times
Lin Chih-hung (林志鴻), one of the doctors who has treated Selina for 88 days since the Oct. 22 accident, said the singer sustained burns over 54 percent of her body.
“Every single move she makes is a mental and physical challenge,” Lin said.
Although she was discharged from the hospital one day earlier than scheduled, Selina still has a long period of rehabilitation ahead of her to deal with her scars and wounds, the doctor said.
Fellow band member Ella Chen (陳嘉樺), who helped Selina as she walked gingerly toward the conference hall stage, said it had been a difficult period for the injured singer, and there was more to come.
“There is still a long road ahead of her. This is just the beginning,” Ella said.
The third member of the trio, Hebe Tian (田馥甄), complimented Selina for her courage and gave her a hug.
News of Selina’s accident in Shanghai left her fans in shock and shook up the entertainment industry over the lack of safety measures for actors in China.
Her record company is now negotiating with the film team and a Chinese TV station over the cause of the incident and compensation.
“We will do our utmost to protect Selina’s rights,” HIM International Music general manager Linda Ho (何燕玲) said at the press conference.
Selina became a household name in Chinese-speaking communities worldwide in 2001, when S.H.E. shot to fame after their first album sold more than 750,000 copies in Asia.
Before her injury, Selina, who is engaged to her long-term boyfriend, was also well on her way to becoming a popular variety show host.
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