IS EDISON Chen making a comeback?
Two years ago, the infamous sex-photo scandal forced the Hong Kong star out of showbiz. Since then he has made few public appearances and has granted even fewer interviews.
Now, the troubled 30-year-old may be warming up to the entertainment industry again.
On Sunday, he will appear on the regional variety talk show Asia Uncut, hosted by American Jon Niermann, 44.
The hour-long episode, which airs over Star World (StarHub Ch 18) at 10pm, kicks off its second season.
Niermann, who invited Edison to be on the show, told The New Paper: 'He was originally slated for the second episode. But we felt he made for a better first episode after the filming because there was obviously going to be interest and that would be good for the premiere.'
Japanese-American actor Masi Oka of TV series Heroes and US comedian Tom Arnold will also be featured in the show.
Shanghai-based Niermann, who is also president of the Asia-Pacific arm of gaming software company Electronic Arts (EA), first met Edison at the opening of the interactive entertainment store EA Experience in Hong Kong a few years ago.
They discussed a potential collaboration in which Edison would sing for one of the company's games. Then the sex scandal broke. Pictures of Edison having sex with a number of women stars were taken from his computer when it was sent for repair and put out on the Internet.
Niermann said: 'I don't remember how I got wind of it. I wasn't shocked - you hardly get surprised by anything these days.
'I was more curious and wanted to understand what it was all about and who were involved. I felt bad for all of them. They are young and had good careers.'
Now, once again, EA is interested to work with Edison.
'We look for good music and talented people like Edison whom we want to be associated with,' he said.
'He was a talented person who was caught in a mistake. It was unfortunate for him and the others involved. It's a personal matter. The scandal shouldn't have any bearing on their careers.'
Unfortunately, it has.
Edison now spends most of his time in the US and Canada. He flew to Shanghai last month to film Asia Uncut.
Niermann, an Asian Television Award winner, said: 'It was good timing. His street fashion clothing line Clot Inc. was going to open a store in Shanghai then.'
Neither Edison nor his manager who arrived with him laid any ground rules for the interview. And it was a relaxed Edison himself who broached the controversial topic.
Niermann said he had planned to joke about the scandal but decided against it at the last minute.
'I don't think he would've minded because I know he can take that sort of humour. But it wasn't appropriate because it affected other people.'
It's easy to see Edison's charm, as the animated and chatty singer-actor grins cheekily during the 10-minute segment.
Niermann, who has been married for 20 years, could see how his guest would've charmed the socks - and more - off Hong Kong's prettiest female stars.
'He's good-looking. He has a good sense of humour and he's shaped up pretty well now. He's really got the full package.'
Not curious about the photos
But he hasn't seen any of the scandalous snapshots, Niermann claimed, though he had been sent links to them. He was 'not that curious about them'.
He joked: 'I've seen naked bodies before. Plus I didn't have to see Edison's bits, though I've heard good stuff about them.'
Since Edison's appearance was arranged at the eleventh hour, the 150-strong audience, who write in to ask for tickets and are usually privy to the guest list, didn't know the line-up until they arrived for the taping.
But there was none of the mayhem that marked some of Edison's earlier appearances.
He was in Singapore to launch a Carl's Jr burger in February last year, and to promote action movie The Sniper in April.
Niermann said Edison, who arrived an hour before filming began, remained 'very warm and polite' and hung out with him at the studio after the shoot ended.
Last June, a contrite Edison broke his silence and gave his first full-length interview to CNN's Talk Asia. This is the only TV interview he has done since then.
So what is Edison, known to be a shrewd businessman, planning?
CBS news recently reported he has a new movie in the pipeline.
Romantic comedy Almost Perfect will be directed by Bertha Bay-Sa Pan and co-stars US actress Kelly Hu.
New Juice stores, which sell his clothing line, have been sprouting in Kuala Lumpur and Taiwan. He is also in this month's edition of men's magazine GQ China.
Niermann said: 'I think his career is already getting back on track. He's diversified his businesses, which is a good strategy. He should focus on what he is good at.
'He's the same talented, approachable, charismatic, friendly guy. He's still very driven. The only difference is, you can tell he's more mellow and humble. And he does seem in charge of what he's doing.'
What about the girls?
Now that he's got the elusive Edison, perhaps Niermann could wrap up the saga by speaking to one of the embattled women who were also caught in the scandal.
Gillian Chung would be good, Niermann said. He met her and Charlene Choi, the other half of pop duo Twins, in 2002 as the former head honcho of Walt Disney in Asia.
But he added: 'I'm not looking to talk to Gillian because she was part of the scandal.
'She's making a comeback - she's got endorsements, an EP that should be released soon and an upcoming Chinese drama - so it's good to catch up with her.'
Two years ago, the infamous sex-photo scandal forced the Hong Kong star out of showbiz. Since then he has made few public appearances and has granted even fewer interviews.
Now, the troubled 30-year-old may be warming up to the entertainment industry again.
On Sunday, he will appear on the regional variety talk show Asia Uncut, hosted by American Jon Niermann, 44.
The hour-long episode, which airs over Star World (StarHub Ch 18) at 10pm, kicks off its second season.
Niermann, who invited Edison to be on the show, told The New Paper: 'He was originally slated for the second episode. But we felt he made for a better first episode after the filming because there was obviously going to be interest and that would be good for the premiere.'
Japanese-American actor Masi Oka of TV series Heroes and US comedian Tom Arnold will also be featured in the show.
Shanghai-based Niermann, who is also president of the Asia-Pacific arm of gaming software company Electronic Arts (EA), first met Edison at the opening of the interactive entertainment store EA Experience in Hong Kong a few years ago.
They discussed a potential collaboration in which Edison would sing for one of the company's games. Then the sex scandal broke. Pictures of Edison having sex with a number of women stars were taken from his computer when it was sent for repair and put out on the Internet.
Niermann said: 'I don't remember how I got wind of it. I wasn't shocked - you hardly get surprised by anything these days.
'I was more curious and wanted to understand what it was all about and who were involved. I felt bad for all of them. They are young and had good careers.'
Now, once again, EA is interested to work with Edison.
'We look for good music and talented people like Edison whom we want to be associated with,' he said.
'He was a talented person who was caught in a mistake. It was unfortunate for him and the others involved. It's a personal matter. The scandal shouldn't have any bearing on their careers.'
Unfortunately, it has.
Edison now spends most of his time in the US and Canada. He flew to Shanghai last month to film Asia Uncut.
Niermann, an Asian Television Award winner, said: 'It was good timing. His street fashion clothing line Clot Inc. was going to open a store in Shanghai then.'
Neither Edison nor his manager who arrived with him laid any ground rules for the interview. And it was a relaxed Edison himself who broached the controversial topic.
Niermann said he had planned to joke about the scandal but decided against it at the last minute.
'I don't think he would've minded because I know he can take that sort of humour. But it wasn't appropriate because it affected other people.'
It's easy to see Edison's charm, as the animated and chatty singer-actor grins cheekily during the 10-minute segment.
Niermann, who has been married for 20 years, could see how his guest would've charmed the socks - and more - off Hong Kong's prettiest female stars.
'He's good-looking. He has a good sense of humour and he's shaped up pretty well now. He's really got the full package.'
Not curious about the photos
But he hasn't seen any of the scandalous snapshots, Niermann claimed, though he had been sent links to them. He was 'not that curious about them'.
He joked: 'I've seen naked bodies before. Plus I didn't have to see Edison's bits, though I've heard good stuff about them.'
Since Edison's appearance was arranged at the eleventh hour, the 150-strong audience, who write in to ask for tickets and are usually privy to the guest list, didn't know the line-up until they arrived for the taping.
But there was none of the mayhem that marked some of Edison's earlier appearances.
He was in Singapore to launch a Carl's Jr burger in February last year, and to promote action movie The Sniper in April.
Niermann said Edison, who arrived an hour before filming began, remained 'very warm and polite' and hung out with him at the studio after the shoot ended.
Last June, a contrite Edison broke his silence and gave his first full-length interview to CNN's Talk Asia. This is the only TV interview he has done since then.
So what is Edison, known to be a shrewd businessman, planning?
CBS news recently reported he has a new movie in the pipeline.
Romantic comedy Almost Perfect will be directed by Bertha Bay-Sa Pan and co-stars US actress Kelly Hu.
New Juice stores, which sell his clothing line, have been sprouting in Kuala Lumpur and Taiwan. He is also in this month's edition of men's magazine GQ China.
Niermann said: 'I think his career is already getting back on track. He's diversified his businesses, which is a good strategy. He should focus on what he is good at.
'He's the same talented, approachable, charismatic, friendly guy. He's still very driven. The only difference is, you can tell he's more mellow and humble. And he does seem in charge of what he's doing.'
What about the girls?
Now that he's got the elusive Edison, perhaps Niermann could wrap up the saga by speaking to one of the embattled women who were also caught in the scandal.
Gillian Chung would be good, Niermann said. He met her and Charlene Choi, the other half of pop duo Twins, in 2002 as the former head honcho of Walt Disney in Asia.
But he added: 'I'm not looking to talk to Gillian because she was part of the scandal.
'She's making a comeback - she's got endorsements, an EP that should be released soon and an upcoming Chinese drama - so it's good to catch up with her.'
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