Singer Coco Lee mourned by fans and family at Hong Kong funeral
Singer Coco Lee mourned by fans and family at Hong Kong funeral
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Fans line up near the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Fans gather near a banner which reads “Looking up at the starry sky, it is the love you left behind” outside the Hong Kong Funeral HHome, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
FILE - Hong Kong born U.S. singer CoCo Lee poses on the red carpet at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects to their idol at her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Billy Dai, File)
A woman takes a photos as she pays respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect for singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
The name of Hong Kong singer and songwriter, Coco Lee, is written in the sky above Sydney, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Hong Kong, a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People react during a funeral for Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Relatives hold a photo of Coco Lee after her funeral in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People wait outside a funeral home to pay their respects to Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
People leave after a funeral for Coco Lee in Hong Kong, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. (AP Photo/Billy H.C. Kwok)
Fans line up near the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Fans line up near the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Fans gather near a banner which reads “Looking up at the starry sky, it is the love you left behind” outside the Hong Kong Funeral HHome, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Fans gather near a banner which reads “Looking up at the starry sky, it is the love you left behind” outside the Hong Kong Funeral HHome, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
FILE - Hong Kong born U.S. singer CoCo Lee poses on the red carpet at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects to their idol at her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Billy Dai, File)
FILE - Hong Kong born U.S. singer CoCo Lee poses on the red carpet at the 53rd Golden Horse Awards in Taipei, Taiwan, Saturday, Nov. 26, 2016. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects to their idol at her funeral in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. (AP Photo/Billy Dai, File)
A woman takes a photos as she pays respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
A woman takes a photos as she pays respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect for singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect for singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Members of the public line up to pay their respect to singer and songwriter Coco Lee outside a funeral home in Hong Kong, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
Wreaths are laid out at the Hong Kong Funeral Home, where a funeral is set up for Hong Kong singer and songwriter Coco Lee, in Hong Kong on Monday, July 31, 2023. Fans of singer and songwriter Coco Lee, who was known for her powerful voice and live performances, were gathering with flowers to pay their respects at her funeral in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Annie Cheung)
The name of Hong Kong singer and songwriter, Coco Lee, is written in the sky above Sydney, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Hong Kong, a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
The name of Hong Kong singer and songwriter, Coco Lee, is written in the sky above Sydney, Monday, July 31, 2023. Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Hong Kong, a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success. Lee died July 5 at age 48. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
HONG KONG (AP) — Singer and songwriter Coco Lee was being mourned by family and friends at a private ceremony Tuesday, a day after fans paid their respects at a public memorial for the Hong Kong-born entertainer who had international success.
Sobs were heard when pallbearers marched solemnly with her coffin inside the funeral hall before her cremation. Lee, who died July 5 at age 48, was known for her powerful voice and live performances.
On Monday, scores of fans dressed in black had waited outside the funeral hall in the summer heat, with some carrying flowers. The public memorial service was also attended by her relatives and friends, including singers Elva Hsiao and Jenny Tseng.
Lin Jing, a fan from Fujian province in southeast China, said she admired Lee’s smile and appearance, adding: “She was really talented. She always tried to improve and she inspired women to feel independent.”
Inside the funeral hall, three pink hearts made of flowers and other floral decorations were displayed below Lee’s photo.
Her close friend, Hsiao, said during the ceremony that she remembered watching Lee’s performances as a student and thinking of her as a perfect idol. After they became friends in the entertainment industry, Lee encouraged Hsiao when she was lost and treated her as “a little sister.”
“She brightened my life with her happiness and bravery. I will keep preserving her spirit,” Hsiao said in a quavering voice.
In a video for the memorial service, actors and singers from Hong Kong, mainland China and Taiwan recalled their memories with Lee and mourned her death.
Action star Jackie Chan said in the video that everyone was proud of her when she sang at the Oscars.
“To friends like us, Coco was a passionate and kind friend who showed care to us. She was really a good person. That’s why we are so reluctant to accept she has left us,” he said.
Award-winning director Ang Lee recalled his exchanges with the late singer before the Oscars and said it was a pity she died so young. “We miss her very much. Coco, rest in peace,” he said in the video.
Lee was the first Chinese singer to break into the American market, and her English song “Do You Want My Love” was a 1999 dance hit. In 2001, she sang “A Love Before Time” from Ang Lee’s movie “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” at the Academy Awards, becoming the first Chinese American to perform at the Oscars.
Lee was also the voice of heroine Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s “Mulan,” and sang the Mandarin version of the movie’s theme song “Reflection.”
She was married to Bruce Rockowitz, a Canadian business executive in Hong Kong, and had two stepdaughters.
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Associated Press video journalist Alice Fung and news assistant Annie Cheung contributed to this report.