An interview with JayC

Something about JayC, that I got from the star newspaper :

Do you think that fame has changed you at all?
I'd say it's a loss of freedom. But when I put this aside, I'd have to say that there are lots of good things too. First, people all across the Mandarin-speaking world can now listen to my music. I can perform on stage and sing my own songs. It's just the freedom part that I have to adjust too.

You're currently filming the sequel to your 2008 hit Kung Fu Dunk and you've made five other movies since you started out in 2003. Did you think that a shy boy who likes to play the piano would ever see himself on the big screen?
In the beginning, I felt quite uncomfortable seeing myself in the movies. I felt like it's not really me. But back when I was still excited about the filming experience so I continued to work on different projects.

What's been your favourite scene in the movies that you're really proud of?
I'd say it's the project in which I collaborated with director Zhang YiMou. I felt very honoured to have worked with him. And it's something that I had never imagined before. You know, I had the privilege to work with Chow Yun-fat and Gong Li. This is something I never dreamed of doing in my life.

What sort of an experience was that for you working along-side huge cinematic names like Gong Li and Chow Yun-fat?
Big stars are actually very humble and friendly. For instance, Chow Yun-fat was always joking with people on the set. As for director Zhang YiMou, I never saw him losing his temper at work. So I really learned a lot from them.

Jay, you're a wealthy, single guy yet you still live at home with your mum. How come?
I don't think I'll move out. My parents divorced when I was a kid. And I made up my mind that even if I get mariied someday, I'll still live with my mum, so that I can take care of her, keep her company.

With most pop stars, image is everything. You say that you're not really bothered about that. For you it's all about the music. What is it about music that defines you as a person?
Music is like my life. It's constantly growing and evolving. And it influences me very much. I have to do it everyday. But the thing is how can you do it better and better.

You've often slated for mumbling your way through the lyrics. Don't you want people to be able to hear what you're singing about?
I didn't do it intentionally. I didn't realise it was my style until people told me about it. Later, I tried to make it my trademark so I could use my vocals as an instrument. If you can't hear what I'm singing, you can read the lyrics book. Lyrics are meant to be read as a piece of art. I suppose that's one way of looking at it.

You're often referred to as a sort of an 'anti-hero'. Somebody who got fame despite himself because you're so shy and retiring. How do you make sure that you don't get bullied or steam-rolled by this business?
I think showbiz in Taiwan, or even in the Chinese-speaking region, is quite different from showbiz in the US. The more low-profile and tight-lipped you are, the more paparazzi runs after you.

Most pop stars pick typical boy-girl subject matter to sing about. You have gone in a different direction. You've sung about an abusive father, a jilted lover and all sorts. Where is this dark material coming from?
I think my music is quite different from the western rap music culture. They really don't mind bringing in foul language and topics on violence. But you won't find those in my music. The only reason I sang about an abusive father was what I wanted to remind people of the social problems we have.

The UK think thank Chatham House rates you among China's most influential people. Does knowing something like that make you feel like you've got a greater sense of responsibility to live up to?
I do have this sense of responsibility to be inspriational for society, particularly children. That's why the most important theme in my songs is love, including love for our parents. Being one of Asia's most famous faces, you're a real target for the paparazzi and you seem to have a special loathing for them which you've sung about.

What is it in particular that angers you so much about them?
I don't think anyone likes the paparazzi, especially when you're an artiste. I actually wrote a song for them. The lyrics clearly express what I want to tell them.

PMR is 14 days away.