Courtesy of heyaosun.com

Watching a Sun Go Supernova

By Bobby Okinaka

Crossing over to the American market isn't easy. It took Jackie Chan two decades before he was able to become a household name in America. A few years ago, Coco Lee, one of Asia's top songstresses, tried it and failed despite the fact that she was raised in San Francisco. But that's not enough to stop Sun.

Sun is a relatively new face to the Mandarin pop music scene, but she is quickly becoming one of Asia's top performers.

Sun's latest album, "Lonely Traveler." Courtesy of heyaosun.com

The Singapore native's first album "Sun with Love," was released two years ago and went double-platinum with plenty of air time on radio stations from Taiwan to Hong Kong. The industry recognized her talent by bestowing on her numerous awards including "Best Female Newcomer 2003" at the Hong Kong Metro Music Awards. Her second album, "Sun*day" went triple platinum in a record amount of time.

While Sun is one of the brightest stars in Asia right now, her path to stardom wasn't a direct route. For starters, she earned a Masters in Counseling and used it to co-found an organization that helps the abused and neglected called City Harvest Community Services Association. Then, when Sun got serious about a music career, the Singaporean had to learn Mandarin practically word for word to record her debut pop album.

But Sun didn't just drop out of the sky. The devout Christian has been singing gospel her entire life. In fact, she released five gospel albums before crossing over to pop.

The Stars Align

When Tonos Entertainment, a music company founded by David Foster, Carole Bayer Sager and Kenny "Babyface" Edmonds, went in search of an Asian artist with potential to become an international superstar, they found Sun. She was teamed up with famed songwriter, Peter Rafelson, who has written and produced for Elton John, The Corrs and Madonna. Rafelson helped produce Sun's third album, "Lonely Traveler," including two dance songs performed in English, "Where Did Love Go" and "A Little Bit of Love."

At the "Lonely Traveler" album launch party on Oct. 24 at Club Ivar in Hollywood, Rafelson explained why Sun was the ideal choice to be an Asian crossover hit. "Sun comes from an English-speaking country and she has the character of an international superstar," said the producer. "As a humanitarian, she's also a great role model for kids." He added that as a crossover, Sun's style and track record will appeal to the Mandarin-speaking communities in the U.S. But ultimately it's the music that needs to sell and he believes that her sound will play in the club scene and be a hit with people who love to dance.

On Sun's recent visit to Los Angeles, she does a little TV reporting for Singapore. Courtesy of heyaosun.com

In her own words Sun admitted that she was a little nervous in attempting to enter the U.S. market, but realized what a great opportunity she's been given. "It's a big break for me to crossover, actually a step of faith. But I always love a good challenge."

Before going on stage to perform her two English dance songs and one of her Chinese ballads, Sun added, "I come from Singapore. It's very Asian and also Western and cosmopolitan. I am in the best place and don't have to try so hard to be something I'm not."

Check out Sun's official website: www.heyaosun.com

November 7, 2003