Always A-Mei Biography     Chang Huei-mei (known to fans as A-Mei) was born August 9, 1972, in Eastern Taiwan, the third youngest of 8 siblings. A-Mei has both of her parents to thank for her successful music career.     Like mother like daughter, A-Mei's mom, Wang Yu Mei, brought the passion of music into the house, when A-Mei was young. Also a singer, her mother used to record herself singing, and then playback the tape for her daughters to hear. She supported and guided the musical talent that A-Mei's millions of fans witness today.     While her mother helped form the foundation of A-Mei's talent, her father gave her that extra push, by encouraging her to enter a televised singing contest called "Five Lights Singing Contest." Her father was ill at the time, and he wanted to see his daughter follow her dream and show off her skills. A-Mei hoped that winning the contest would give her father the willpower to fight his sickness, but unfortunately, he passed away before her victory.     After some aimless time of not knowing what to do next, A-Mei's musician cousin invited her to sing vocals for his rock band. And it's a good thing she went -- A-Mei and the rock band headed to Taipei and played their music in local pubs, which is how A-Mei practiced and develop her skills to perform for a live audience. This is also where excited fans began referring to the energetic performer as A-Mei.     Coupled with A-Mei's newfound passion for performing live was her opportunity to sing the theme song for a Taiwanese television show. Word of A-Mei's talent was spreading, and she was finally discovered by a talent scout and signed to Forward Music, a small record company in Taiwan.     After recording a duet, "The One Who Loved Me Most, Hurt Me The Most," with popular male singer Zhang Yu-Sheng (who approached her), A-Mei's first album was finally released in 1996. Jei Mei was an instant smash, with a lot of airplay and constant staying power on the charts.     A-Mei was a hit, and with three albums, she has become one of the most successful musical artists in Chinese pop history.     Known to English fans as Sherry and Tear Princess, A-Mei speaks Taiwanese, Mandarin, Japanese, and English. Her favorite singers include Sting, Janet Jackson and Whitney Houston, whom she listens to in her free time when she's not practicing Tae Kwon-Do or playing golf.     A-Mei also founded A My-My, a project group consisting of her younger sister and her cousin.     Thanks to her rock-western sound blended in with hip-hop and pop, energetic live performances and sexy image, A-Mei became an overnight success who is sure to stick around for quite a while, despite controversy. (Source: askmen.com) personality & talent What is most admirable about A-Mei's personality is her generous spirit. A prime example is the tribute she made to her late producer Zhang Yu-Sheng, who died in a traffic accident. She released a CD single with all proceeds going to the producer's family, to help them with the emotional and financial burden. Beyond being a good singer (though her range is limited), she is also fluent in English, Japanese and Mandarin. And if you decide to make fun of her music (to her face that is), be forewarned, she is a black belt in Tae Kwon-Do. Quote "I just hope to perform on the mainland as soon as possible... I am not a politician, but a singer with innocent beliefs [and] I just want to express myself in my music." -A*Mei personal style A*Mei's love of hot pants, spaghetti-strap tops, and high-heel boots are all put together in a very stylish and trendy package that is often imitated in Taiwan and China. Photo Album