Coco Lee
Coco Lee (1975–2023) was a Chinese American singer whose Mandarin pop, R&B and English recordings connected fans across languages, from “Di Da Di” to “A Love Before Time.”
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Coco’s happenings, collected from public sources, plus her backstory and Starbook, where fans write.
Known for
Overview
- Also known as
- 李玟 / CoCo Lee
- Born
- January 17, 1975
- Remembered
- Died July 5, 2023, aged 48
- Grew up
- Hong Kong and San Francisco
- First album
- Love from Now On (愛就要趁現在), 1994
- International milestone
- Performed “A Love Before Time” at the 2001 Oscars
Mini bio
How it started.
Coco grew up in Hong Kong and San Francisco, with a love of American pop and R&B. A Hong Kong singing competition in 1993 opened the door to a recording career. Her first Mandarin album, Love from Now On, followed in Taiwan in 1994.
Finding her sound.
She brought R&B phrasing and dance into Chinese pop. After joining Sony in 1996, she reached listeners beyond Asia with the 1999 English album Just No Other Way. “Do You Want My Love” and “Before I Fall in Love” became part of that chapter.
Songs on screen.
Coco voiced Mulan in the Mandarin version of Disney’s animated film and sang “Reflection.” She later performed “A Love Before Time” from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon at the 2001 Academy Awards, becoming the first Chinese singer to perform at the ceremony.
A voice fans return to.
She won I Am a Singer’s fourth season in 2016. Since her death in July 2023, previously recorded music has continued to reach fans. Sony’s Always On My Mind collects eight covers she produced herself, with recordings begun in 2016.
Creditschronological, newest first
Music
- 2025Waning MoonSinger, featuring KEY.L; posthumous release
- 2024Always On My MindSinger and producer; posthumous covers album
- 2020Reflection (2020)Singer, Mulan soundtrack
- 2001PromiseRecording artist; includes “刀馬旦” with Jay Chou
- 2000A Love Before TimeSinger, Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
- 1999Just No Other WayRecording artist
Television
- 2016I Am a Singer, season 4Contestant and winner
Awards
Quotes
So you got to have a good balance and enjoy life and enjoy everything you do.Coco Lee, Asia Stars interview with Susan Li
Susan Li shared this excerpt from their earlier Asia Stars interview while remembering Coco.
Trivia
- She once hoped to become a doctor like her mother.
- Her early influences included Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Mariah Carey.
- The 2017 vinyl reissue of Promise includes her collaboration “刀馬旦” with Jay Chou.
- Always On My Mind grew from nearly 40 possible cover songs into eight completed recordings.
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Listen to her music and revisit the performances fans still share.
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