Li Yuchun

Li Yuchun (; born March 10, 1984), also known by her stage name Chris Lee, is a Chinese singer, songwriter, DJ and actress. Her musical style is mainly based on electronic dance music and Chinese pop songs. She launched her singing career by winning first place in the Chinese singing contest Super Girl, in 2005. The following year, she released her debut album The Queen and the Dreams. Referred to as the mother of the unisex look in China, she has achieved mainstream success.

Early life and career

1984–2005: Early years and career beginnings Li was born in Chengdu, Sichuan, China on March 10, 1984. Her father was a railroad police officer, while her mother was a teacher. After she finished her high school studies at Xindu No.1 Middle School, Li attended the Sichuan Conservatory of Music in 2002. In 2005, Li won the championship in the Chinese singing contest Super Girl. In the same year, Li featured in the Chinese film, Flying Swords of Dragon Gate. In 2012, Li released her fifth studio album, Old If Not Wild. In the same year, she embarked her second concert tour Crazy World Tour. In the same year, she featured in the Chinese film, The Guillotines. In the same year, she won an Mnet Asian Music Award for Best Asian Artist. In 2014, Li released her sixth studio album, A Magical Encounter 1987. In the same year, she won a World Music Award for Best Selling Chinese Artist. and picked as One of Business of Fashion's 500 Global Fashion Leaders in 2015.

Li was announced the ambassador for Gucci Timepieces and Jewelry in Asia in Jun 2016. In the same year, Li released her seventh studio album, Growing Wild. Li broke with tradition by separating the new album into four EPs. She invited producers she had never worked with before, like Hsia Yu, Wyman Wong and Chen Weilun. The first EP, Wild, sold 3 million copies in 16 days after it was released in May of last year. The three other EPs were then released within six months, with total sales of more than 6.5 million copies, grossing over 32.8 million yuan ($4.73 million) in 2016. According to Andy Wai Lam Ng, the vice-president of Tencent Music Entertainment Group, Growing Wild achieved China's highest digital music sales since the company released the first Chinese digital album in December 2014. Li Yuchun became the most popular singer in 2016 on Toutiao, China's major news and information app for mobile devices, which daily attracts about 1.27 billion clicks on Videos, and 230 million of them are relevant to entertainment. In support of the new album, she embarked on her third concert tour Growing Wild Tour. In the same year, she featured in the Chinese film, From Vegas to Macau III. In 2021, Li participated in the third season of the Chinese idol group survival show Youth with You as the main host of the show, referred to as the Youth PD.

Public image Li's distinct visual effect and costume style has received global acclaim.

Philanthropy In 2006, China Red Cross Foundation founded a special purpose fund titled Yumi Love Fund with the help of Li and her fans. As of March 2011, the fund received donation of more than 7 million Chinese yuan from over 40,000 people. The funds raised were used to cover the medical expenses for 33 children with critical illness, and the construction of five clinics in Anhui, Sichuan, Gansu, Henan. In 2010, the fund allocated 500,000 Chinese yuan to relieve the people in the disaster of 2010 China drought and dust storms, and allocated 1 million Chinese yuan to relieve the people in the disaster of 2010 Yushu earthquake. In 2011, the fund allocated 420,000 Chinese yuan to help 30 hearing-impaired children having rehabilitation.

Discography

Studio albums The Queen and the Dreams (2006) Mine (2007) Chris Lee (2009) The Literary Youth Who Can Dance (2011) Old If Not Wild (2012) A Magical Encounter 1987 (2014) Growing Wild (2016) Liu Xing (2017) Wow (2019) Have a Nice Weekend (週末愉快) (2023)

Extended plays The Special Greeting for Chris' Birthday (2006) Youth of China (2008)

Compilation albums N+1 Evolution (2008)

Filmography

Feature films Bodyguards and Assassins (2009) Prologue (2010) Flying Swords of Dragon Gate (2011) The Guillotines (2012) From Vegas to Macau III (2016) See You Tomorrow (2016) Monster Hunt 2 (2018)

Theatrical plays A Dream Like a Dream (2013–2014)

Television Youth With You 3 (2021)

Tours Mine Tour (2007) Crazy World Tour (2012) Growing Wild Tour (2016) Liu Xing Tour (2018)

Awards