TVB Entertainment News

Hong Kong actress Carman Lee recently revealed that she lost RMB 1 million (approximately USD 162,591) in a phone scam in China.

As reported on Apple Daily, Carman disclosed that the incident happened to her manager Ali, who received a call from a person claiming to be an official and saying that Carman was suspected of money laundering and drug trafficking.

The person also provided a telephone number of the Security Bureau for her to call, and after failing to get through to the number, Ali then received a call from a person who identified himself as an investigation officer.

The person requested Ali to log on to a website that showed her the accurate details about Carman, including passport number and date of birth, and told her that the actress would be arrested the moment she arrived in Beijing.

After being asked to assist in the investigation, Ali followed the instructions of the so-called investigator, only to realise that all of Carman's savings were stolen from her account not long after.

The actress revealed that she has already made a police report, and reminded everybody not to fall victim to such a scam.

"A lot of people said that it would be hard for me to get my money back, but I do harbour some hope. I really wish the police will be able to arrest the criminal and return my hard-earned money to me," she said.

However, Carman did not blame Ali for the mistake, saying that she has now learned from the experience to handle her finance on her own in future.

Artiste Carman Lee (李若彤) and a group of cast watched the finale of the series, Never Dance Alone (女人俱樂部) in Yau Tong (油塘) and expressed that many paparazzo followed her when the finale was approaching. Carman said "The paparazzo even follows me when I fetch my niece after school and the small kids will ask me why their parents is not there when they are supposed to fetch them." She added that her mummy was scared of her, dared not eat together and pretended not to know her.

When mentioned about if she was used to being photographed as an artiste, Carman said "I disagree that eating salted fish can reduce the thirst as my friends will not understand!" As for Eric Tsang (曾志偉) will continue to increase the female leads' popularity, Carman expressed gratitude to him and happy to receive this role and script.

In addition, Carman revealed only one person called her 'Xiao Long Nu 小龍女' and the rest called her role name after airing of the series, thus it helped her to get rid of 'Xiao Long Nu' shadow. She disclosed that recently, she bumped into Sandra Ng (吳君如) who praised her for doing a good job and was overjoyed to receive compliments from movie queen. Carman hoped to meet Chow Yun Fat (周潤發) again and could not resist shouting upon recalling it.

It has been ten years since Carman Lee (李若彤) filmed series. When she went to promote new series, Never Dance Alone (女人俱樂部) in radio station and asked about the reasons that made her to resume filming, Carman said "Once, I bump into Chow Yun Fat (周潤發) while taking the flight and he feels that I purposely find an excuse not to work and added a sentence: 'How can a person not to work?". Subsequently, I run into Eric Tsang (曾志偉) and asks me if I am interested to film series. I agree as I assume he asks me casually and tells me to film Never Dance Alone after four months later.".

Carman disclosed that she did not really want to film series but decided to accept the series, Never Dance Alone after dreaming of herself filming series happily on a particular night.

Yesterday, Carman Lee (李若彤) went to radio station to promote the series, Never Dance Alone (女人俱樂部) and there was reports stating that the film producer, Eric Tsang (曾志偉) started to film the movie version secretly. Carman said "During an earlier gathering, someone proposes to film 300 episodes of a sitcom 'M Come' (M Club師奶襲地球) or sequel to Never Dance Alone. We have not film the movie version and hope the original casts will participate.

When asked about she will become the female lead, reduce Rachel Lee's (李麗珍) scenes and remove Flora Chan (陳慧珊) from the movie version, and whether they were in a poor friendship, Carman said "Flora Chan and I are colleagues, while Rachel Lee and I are close. Earlier, Rachel and I have a good time when Eric Tsang treats us to Taiwan for celebrations."

Also, Carman admitted that her popularity rose after airing the series and received invitation from movie company including Mainland China to work together. She said "I film based on my feelings and will reject if the script and role is unsuitable. It will be the same even if Eric Tsang approaches me but he does not give me much pressure to film this series though."

Female artiste Carman Lee (李若彤) and Rachel Lee (李麗珍) and other members of M Club (Younger version) including Anjaylia Chan (陳嘉寶), Kandy Wong (黃山怡), Jeannie Chan (陳瀅), Annie G (吳燕安) and Winkilai (賴慰玲) attended the promotion campaign for the series, Never Dance Alone (女人俱樂部) in Tsuen Wan (荃灣).

Carman felt very high and expressed during the interview that she could feel the power of TVB City after filming the series and many audiences wished to share script with her, and even her relative's friend could recognise her. Carman said "My relative asks me daily about the schedule of my series as she really wants to watch it. Many small kids recognise me when I go to the kindergarden and mention they see me on the television too. Earlier, my relative also recognise Lawrence Ng (吳啟華) when he appears on the magazine cover and tells him that she is my friend. (Overjoyed and will continue to film series?) Not too sure but I will consider if there is a suitable role or even a motherly role. (Satisfied with the series' ratings?) As an actress, it does not bother me but many friends watch online. Moreover, many people go for a vacation on 1st May which is a public holiday. Hope the ratings will increase later."

Carman laughed and said the series reminded her of many memories especially when she had a crush on her teacher during secondary two: "It is silly of me that I keep thinking about him and tell him to remember me when I give him my photograph before he leaves. I do not think I will be that daring given the opportunity now."

Yesterday Carman Lee, Loletta Lee, Angie Cheong and Grace Yip appeared at TVB City for new series M Club. The ladies were dressed up as school girls that gave off a “heavy flavor” feeling. They were dressed in school uniforms with heavy makeup, wigs and pink cheeks. However, they seem to really enjoyed it. Carman laughed and said its a familiar feeling, as it triggered her memories back in the school days. “Its been so long since I’ve worn a school uniform, I don’t want to take it off!”

Earlier it was reported Loletta was displeased with Carman because she had more screen time than her, but at the scene the two proved the rumor wrong. They were chatting happily and put their arms around one another. During the interview, Carman and Loletta denied the bad terms rumor. Carman expressed she learned about the rumor from a friend, she said: “No matter how I respond, there will always be many different versions of it. After all, the rumor has not affected our filming progress. Behind the cameras, we chat and even talked about how we would respond to this rumor.” She emphasized twice: “I”m not looking, I don’t care and I don’t know.”

Loletta also expressed they came prepared to respond to the rumor. She clarified she did not fight for more screen time. “I have never fought for screen time and the script has already been fully written, there is nothing to fight for! (Awkward?) No, its not true. Why would I feel awkward?” Loletta disclosed her daughter is starting school overseas soon and that she feels unwilling to part from her, but she hopes her daughter will learn to be independent. “Its difficult being a single mother!”

TVB series M Club (previously Aerobic Girls) recently started filming. Last night Carmen Lee, Loletta Lee, Gloria Yip, Fennie Yuen, Angie Cheong and Lawrence Cheng were filming from the afternoon until midnight. Fortunately the weather was nice and the ladies appeared very professional. Carmen was in a great mood and didn't yawn at all. With so many actresses in this series, there will bound be a lot of gossips, but the ladies expressed they are working together happily. Carmen smiled: "Its part of the series. No need to write us on bad terms!"

At 4pm, Loletta and Carmen were filming in Central, the two were dressed like wealthy housewives. Loletta had a thick heel on and pulled in the height difference she had with Carmen.

At 8pm, Loletta completed her scenes, but Carmen changed into a blue dress for another scene with Glora, Fennie, Angie and Lawrence. This sene was about Carmen strolling with her husband Lawrence and showing off their love. Her three sisters stood behind and watched the couple with a frown on their faces.

Also, Flora Chan expressed, filming this series, she is getting adequate amount of rest: "I have enough energy to film series. The happiest is I can stay in HK and spend more time with my daughter." Flora left a deep impression ten years ago in Triumph in the Skies as the role "Belle". Many people felt disappointed she wasn't able to continue the fate with "Sam Gor" in TITS2. However, Flora didn't feel it was a pity she couldn't participate. "I'm currently filming this series, don't have much time to watch TITS2. (The audience feel its a pity there isn't Belle in the sequel?) The other artists are good to watch too. I support them! (Do you feel its a pity?) I don't. There is a reason to every decision made. At the time, I concentrated on my family and the schedule had to fit with my school schedule. It's not about whether its a regret or not."

M Club starts off with seven good girl friends defending a dance studio. When they reunite after 20 some years, they realize their dreams are gone based on their current situations and work on trying to pick up on their dream again.