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A-Mei Wikipedia

Chang Hui-mei (張惠妹, Hanyu Pinyin: Zhāng H?im?i) (b. August 9, 1972), popularly known as A-Mei (阿妹), is a Taiwanese pop_music|pop singer.

She was born a tribal princess of the Puyuma Taiwanese aborigine|aborigines in a mountainous region of eastern Taiwan .

A-Mei became known for a provocative style of dress, energetic performances in which she would often break into a heavy sweat, and a sultry voice reminiscent of Mariah Carey's.

A-Mei has become the subject of considerable political controversy in recent years. In 2000, she sang the National Anthem of the Republic of China | ROC national anthem at the first Presidential inauguration of Chen Shui-bian. This angered the People's Republic of China|PRC government, which subsequently banned her from performing in mainland China until June 2001. In June 2004, she cancelled a concert to be held in Hangzhou after some 100 people held up banners and chanted: "Oppose Taiwan independence, Chinese reunification|unify China". In response, many A-Mei fans in Taiwan called for a boycott of singers from mainland China.

Public opinion of A-Mei in Taiwan has also been mixed recently. In August 2004 following demands from certain quarters in mainland China that she sing the PRC national anthem and "other patriotic songs", Vice President Annette Lu demanded that A-Mei choose between her singing career in mainland China and defending Taiwan's national interests. A-Mei has denied any political motives and insisted that she does not want to get involved in politics. Despite such issues, she is typically seen as the most popular, influential, and to a degree, revered singer in Taiwan.

Last Modified:   2005-03-09