Selena Lee (actor)
Selena Lee Sze-wa (Chinese: 李施嬅; pinyin: Lǐ Shīhuà, born 12 February 1981), formerly Selena Lee Sze-Wan (Chinese: 李詩韻; pinyin: Lǐ Shīyùn), is a Hong Kong-born Canadian actress and former beauty pageant contestant.
Selena Lee | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 李施嬅 | |||||||||||
| Born | Lee Sze-wa 12 February 1981 | ||||||||||
| Citizenship | Canada | ||||||||||
| Alma mater | University of Toronto | ||||||||||
| Occupation | Actress, singer | ||||||||||
| Years active | 2003–present | ||||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Anson Cha (m. 2021) | ||||||||||
| Partner(s) | Patrick Tang (2004–2009) | ||||||||||
| Awards | 2003 Miss Hong Kong Miss Photogenic & Miss Talent StarHub TVB Awards – Most Improved TVB Artiste 2019 Barrack O'Karma | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Chinese | 李施嬅 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Website | YouTube Channel | ||||||||||
After participating in the 2003 Miss Hong Kong Pageant, Lee had signed an artiste contract with TVB and filmed numerous TVB dramas.[1] She left TVB in 2019 and announced in May 2019 that she will be managed by American talent agency Authentic for work in North America. In September 2019, Lee earned critical acclaim for her dual role as Alex and Coco in the supernatural romance drama Barrack O'Karma and won the Most Popular Female Character award at the TVB Anniversary Awards.[2] In June 2020, she signed an artiste contract with Shaw Brothers Pictures for work in Hong Kong and South-Eastern Asia.
Early life
Born in Hong Kong, Selena Lee immigrated with her parents to Toronto in 1988. She attended the University of Toronto, earning a Bachelor of Business Commerce in 2001.
Lee had also had achieved Grade 8 piano.
Career
Selena Lee entered the 2003 Miss Hong Kong Pageant as an overseas contestant, winning Miss Photogenic and Miss Talent.[3] She subsequently signed with the broadcasting giant TVB and made her acting debut in the drama The Last Breakthrough (Chinese: 天涯俠醫).
In 2014, Lee portrayed Jessica Tan in the Singaporean sitcom Spouse for House.
In 2017, Lee won the Best Actress awards at the European Cinematography Awards and Los Angeles Film Awards with her role in the American short film Once More.[4][5]
In 2018, Lee participated in Canadian television crime drama Blood and Water (Chinese: 血與水)[6] for which she was nominated for Best Supporting Actress at the 7th Canadian Screen Awards.[7]
In April 2019, Lee announced that she would not be renewing her contract with TVB, with intentions to pursue opportunities internationally.[8] It was announced in May 2019 that she would be managed by American talent agency Authentic for work in North America.[9]
In September 2019, Lee portrayed the 2010s flight attendant Alex Cheung and the 1960s hostess Coco Yeung in the TVB supernatural drama Barrack O'Karma (Chinese: 金宵大廈), for which she earned critical acclaim and became a strong contender for Best Actress. At the 2019 TVB Anniversary Awards, she won the Most Popular Onscreen Partnership award with her Barrack O'Karma co-actor Joel Chan.[10] Nominated for the fourth time for Most Popular Female Character, Lee won the award alongside Miriam Yeung for her dual role as Alex and Coco. She was placed among the top 5 nominees for Best Actress as well.
Lee’s last drama at TVB, Forensic Heroes IV (Chinese: 法證先鋒IV), aired in February 2020. She released her first single, Second Love, with her Forensic Heroes IV co-actor Gabriel Harrison and won music awards for the single. Lee signed an artiste contract with Shaw Brothers Pictures for work in Hong Kong and South-Eastern Asia as well. In August 2020, she returned to TVB to film the sequel Barrack O'Karma 1968 (Chinese: 金宵大廈2). The drama was aired in April 2022.
Personal life
In 2015, Lee announced on her Weibo blog that she had decided to change her Chinese stage name, Lee Sze Wan (李詩韻), back to her birth name, Lee Sze Wa (李施嬅), in memory of her grandmother, who had passed away that year.
Selena Lee is best friends with Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Paisley Wu, Elaine Yiu and Mandy Wong. They had formed the friendship group “胡說八道會” and filmed a travel show together.[11]
Due to their common interest in long-distance running, Lee along with Benjamin Yuen, Joel Chan, Brian Tse, Jack Wu, Nancy Wu, Paisley Wu, Elaine Yiu and Mandy Wong formed the group "Crazy Runner".[12]
In February 2021, Lee announced via social media that she is engaged to Anson Cha, a fitness coach and personal trainer.[13]
On 31 March 2022, Lee revealed that she has autoimmune disease. She has stopped working since late 2021 and is currently receiving treatment.
Filmography
Television dramas
| Title | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Breakthrough | 2004 | Shirley Fong Suet-yee (方雪兒) |
Supporting Role |
| Just Love | 2005 | Yoyo Leung Yan-yan (梁昕昕) |
Supporting Role |
| Life Made Simple | Joanna Yeung Yuen-kwan (楊婉君) |
Supporting Role | |
| Real Kung Fu | Fuchat Ho-yuet (富察·皓月) |
Supporting Role | |
| The Herbalist's Manual | Ng Mo-yung (吳慕榕) |
Supporting Role | |
| Face to Fate | 2006 | Yin Ye-loi (嫣夜來) |
Supporting Role |
| To Grow with Love | Maggie Kwok Bo-lok (郭寶樂) |
Supporting Role | |
| A Change of Destiny | 2007 | Sum-yee (心怡) | Supporting Role |
| On the First Beat | Yip Ling-fung (葉玲鳳) |
Supporting Role | |
| Survivor's Law II | Cheng Choi-yuk (鄭彩玉) |
Supporting Role | |
| The Master of Tai Chi | 2008 | Yin Chui-kiu (言翠翹) |
Supporting Role |
| The Seventh Day | Miko Yuen Ching (阮靜) |
Supporting Role | |
| Forensic Heroes II | "Cat" Lee Kiu (李蕎) |
Ep.25–28 | |
| The Four | Lam Yeuk-fei (藍若飛) |
Supporting Role | |
| When Easterly Showers Fall on the Sunny West | Fong Bo-kei (方寶琦) |
Supporting Role | |
| Just Love II | 2009 | Yoyo Leung Yan-yan (梁昕昕) |
Supporting Role |
| Beyond the Realm of Conscience | Man Bo-yin / Consort Yin (萬寶賢 – 賢妃) |
Supporting Role | |
| A Fistful of Stances | 2010 | Angel Wing Tsz-ching (榮芷晴) |
Major Supporting Role |
| Can't Buy Me Love | Yuen Siu-yuk (阮小玉) |
Supporting Role | |
| The Life and Times of a Sentinel | 2011 | Cheuk Chi-ying (卓紫凝)/ Princess Duen-man (愛新覺羅·端敏 – 格格) |
Main Role |
| Wish and Switch | 2012 | Hailey Hou Yurk-hoi (侯若海) |
Main Role
StarHub TVB Award for Most Improved Female Artiste |
| Gloves Come Off | Donna Chai Pak-fai (齊柏暉) |
Main Role StarHub TVB Award for Most Improved Female Artiste | |
| The Confidant | Imperial Consort Yuen (索綽絡•婉 – 婉太嬪) |
Guest Appearance (5 episodes) | |
| Slow Boat Home | 2013 | Heidi Hei-man Kwok (郭希雯) |
Main Role |
| Awfully Lawful | Elsa Chung Lai-sa (鍾麗莎) | Main Role | |
| Spouse for House | 2014 | Jessica Tan | Main Role
Singapore — Mediacorp Channel 5 Sitcom |
| Ghost Dragon of Cold Mountain | To Fa (桃花) / Yan Mei-leung (殷媚娘) |
Main Role
TVB Star Award Malaysia for Top 15 Favourite Drama Characters | |
| Master of Destiny | 2015 | young Kwan Yeuk-nam | Guest Appearance |
| Brick Slaves | Choi Kin-ching (蔡堅菁) |
Main Role
TVB Star Award Malaysia for Top 16 Favourite Drama Characters StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Female Characters | |
| Spouse for House 2 | Jessica Tan | Main Role Singapore — Mediacorp Channel 5 Sitcom | |
| Presumed Accidents | 2016 | Faye Lin Yeuk-fei (凌若菲)/ Chong Wing-yee (莊穎兒)/ Princess Yuet Ngar (月牙公主) |
Guest Appearance
StarHub TVB Award for My Favourite TVB Female TV Characters |
| Succession War | 2018 | Empress Xiaoherui (孝和睿皇后) |
Main Role |
| Blood and Water | Michelle Chang | Supporting Role | |
| I Bet Your Pardon | 2019 | Marilyn Ma Lai-lin (瑪麗蓮) |
Main Role |
| Barrack O'Karma | Alex Cheung Wai (章瑋)/ Coco Yeung Yuk-wah (楊玉嬅) |
Main Role
TVB Anniversary Award for Most Popular Female Character (tied win with Miriam Yeung) | |
| Forensic Heroes IV | 2020 | Dr. Man Ka-hei (聞家希) |
Main Role |
| Blood and Water Season 3 | Michelle Chang | Main Role | |
| Barrack O'Karma 1968 | 2022 | Ella / Lydia / Psychiatrist | Main Role |
Films
| Film | Year | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Love Is... | 2007 | Vivian | Main Role |
| Murderer | 2009 | Hazel | Voice (Cantonese) |
| Don't Go Breaking My Heart | 2011 | pregnant woman | Cameo |
| Once More[14] | 2016 | Selina | Main Role 2017 European Cinematography Awards for Best Actress 2017 Los Angeles Film Awards for Best Actress (Hollywood Short film)[15] |
Variety programmes
Hosting
| Year | Name of show | Episodes | Other guests |
| 2008 | Living Up Season 6 | All | Suki Chui, Maggie Cheung, Leanne Li |
| 2016 | Three Hungry Sisters | All 8 | Paisley Hu, Samantha Ko |
Guest
| Year | Name of show | Episodes | Other guests |
| 2006 | 15/16 | ?? | Francois Huynh, Otto Chan |
| 2008 | Fan and Kam 《范後感》 | 18 October 2008 | Raymond Lam, Ron Ng, Kate Tsui, Kenneth Ma |
| Lady's Talk 《三個女人一個墟》 | ?? | Mandy Cho, Leanne Li | |
| 2009 | Boom Boom Ba 《耳分高下》 | 15–16 | Michael Tse, Bosco Wong, Kate Tsui |
| Outsmart 《財智達人》 | 04 | Sammul Chan, Nancy Wu, Lee Lung Kei | |
| 2010 | Have Fun With Liza and Gods 《荃加福祿壽》 | 06 | Angel Chiang, Denise Ho, Lee Yee Man, Benji Chiang |
| Super Trio Game Master | 20 | Charmaine Sheh, Moses Chan, Kenneth Ma | |
| 2015 | The Million Dollar Minute《超強選擇1分鐘》 | 12 | Vincent Wong Ho Shun, Evergreen Mak Cheung-ching |
| 2018 | Cooking Beauties《美女廚房(第三輯)》 | 03 | Nancy Wu, Venus Wong |
| 2019 | Liza's Online《娛樂大家 (無綫電視節目)》 | 04 | Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Paisley Hu |
| The Green Room《今日VIP》 | 187 | Interviewed by Luisa Maria Leitão | |
| 2020 | Cantopop at 50《流行經典50年》 | 02 | Raymond Wong Ho-yin, Shaun Tam, Alice Chan, Roxanne Tong |
Advertisements
| Year | Advertisement | Link |
| 2010 | Vaseline Skin Care | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uOZNxsixUoo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BkxUHy57M94 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5sUy1nDvK44 |
| 2011 | Vaseline Skin Care -Aloe Vera | |
| 2019 | AXA Insurance | |
Singles
| Peak chart positions | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Title | 903 | RTHK | 997 | TVB | Fairchild Radio (Canada) | |
| 2020 | ||||||
| Second Love (二次緣) – Collaboration with Gabriel Harrison (海俊傑) | – | – | 14* | – | 9* | |
Nominations and awards
| Year | Type | Result | Award |
| 2004 | Chik Chak TV Awards | Nominated (Top 5) | Newcomer Award |
| 2005 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Supporting Actress |
| Nominated (Top 5) | Most Improved Female Artiste | ||
| 2006 | Next Magazine TV Awards | Nominated | Best New Actress |
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Supporting Actress | |
| Nominated (Top 5) | Most Improved Female Artiste | ||
| 2007 | Nominated (Top 5) | ||
| 2008 | Nominated (Top 5) | ||
| 2009 | Nominated | Best Supporting Actress | |
| Nominated | TVB.com Popularity Award | ||
| 2010 | Nominated | Best Supporting Actress | |
| Nominated (Top 5) | Most Improved Female Artiste | ||
| Nominated | TVB.com Popularity Award | ||
| 2011 | My AOD Favourite Awards | Nominated | My Favourite Supporting Actress |
| Nominated (Top 5) | My Favourite Most Promising Female Artiste | ||
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress | |
| 2012 | My AOD Favourite Awards | Nominated | My Favourite Drama Characters |
| Nominated | My Favourite Onscreen Couple (with Kevin Cheng | ||
| StarHub TVB Awards | Won | Most Improved TVB Artiste | |
| Won | My Favourite TVB Female Characters | ||
| 2014 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress |
| TVB Star Awards Malaysia | Won | Top 15 Favorite TVB Drama Characters | |
| 19th Asian Television Awards | Nominated | Best Comedy Performance by an Actor/Actress | |
| 2015 | TVB Star Awards Malaysia | Won | Top 16 Favourite TVB Drama Characters |
| Nominated | Favourite TVB Actress | ||
| StarHub TVB Awards | Won | My Favourite TVB Female Characters | |
| Nominated | My Favourite TVB Actress | ||
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress | |
| Nominated | Most Popular Female Character | ||
| 2016 | StarHub TVB Awards | Won | My Favourite TVB Female Characters |
| Nominated | My Favourite TVB Supporting Actress | ||
| Nominated | Tokyo Bust Express The Sassy Award | ||
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress | |
| 2017 | European Cinematography Awards | Won | Best Actress[16] |
| Los Angeles Film Awards | Won | Best Actress[17] | |
| TVB Star Awards Malaysia | Nominated (Top 5) | Favourite TVB Host (with Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu and Paisley Wu) | |
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Most Popular Onscreen Partnership (with Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu and Paisley Wu) | |
| People's Choice Television Awards | Nominated (Ranked 2nd) | People's Choice Best Variety Show Host (with Myolie Wu, Nancy Wu, Mandy Wong, Elaine Yiu and Paisley Wu) | |
| 2018 | TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress |
| Nominated | Most Popular Female Character | ||
| People's Choice Television Awards | Nominated (Ranked 5th) | People's Choice Best Actress | |
| 2019 | 7th Canadian Screen Awards | Nominated (Top 5) | Best Supporting Actress, Drama Series |
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated (Top 5) | Best Actress | |
| Won | Most Popular Female Character | ||
| Won | Most Popular On-screen Partnership (with Joel Chan) | ||
| People's Choice Television Awards | Won | People's Choice Best Actress | |
| Elite Awards | Won | Superior Popular Award | |
| 2020 | JOOX x TOP MUSIC AWARDS 2020 | Won | Awarded 2nd season singles at the 6th place |
| 2020 JSG Best Singles First Season Award | Won | Awarded best singles at the 9th place | |
| TVB Anniversary Awards | Nominated | Best Actress | |
| Nominated | Most Popular Female Character | ||
| Asian Television Awards | Nominated | Best Actress |
References
- HK, ELLE Online Editorial @ ELLE. "默默鍛練演技！李施嬅由TVB花旦成為外國雙料影后的甘苦戲劇之路 | ELLE.com.hk". ELLE HK (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "【台慶頒獎禮】周柏豪抱病掃兩獎 千嬅孖施嬅皆大歡喜獲「女角色」獎". Sing Tao Daily 星島日報加拿大 (in Chinese (Taiwan)). 12 January 2020. Retrieved 12 January 2020.
- "Selena Lee Leaves TVB". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "May 2017". LA Film Awards. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- 郭敏玲 (22 August 2017). "李施嬅變歐美雙料影后 努力14年衝出國際：終於有機會講感受！". 香港01 (in Chinese (Hong Kong)). Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "Selena Li Nominated for Best Supporting Actress at 2019 Canadian Screen Awards". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "2019 Best Supporting Actress, Drama". Academy.ca. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "Selena Li Leaves TVB". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "Selena Lee Signs with American Talent Agency". JayneStars.com. Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "【台慶頒獎禮】陳山聰李施嬅獲最受歡迎電視拍檔 (22:14) – 20200112 – SHOWBIZ". 明報OL網 (in Traditional Chinese). Retrieved 13 January 2020.
- "胡說八道會 齊齊去旅行！ 胡定欣充當閨密攝影師" (in Chinese). Archived from the original on 8 September 2017.
- "Crazy Runner拜年團 一對對甜蜜放閃" (in Chinese). 24 February 2018.
- "【幸福人妻】李施嬅未婚夫神秘身份曝光 任周潤發郭富城健身教練擁千萬物業". Topick (in Chinese). 10 March 2021. Retrieved 1 April 2022.
- "Selena Lee". IMDb. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- "Selena Lee". IMDb. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- "European Cinematography Awards". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 5 June 2017.
- "Los Angeles Film Awards". Los Angeles Film Awards. Retrieved 8 June 2017.