Life and career Jolin Tsai

1 life , career

1.1 1980–1999: life , career beginnings
1.2 1999–2001: 1019, don t stop, show love, , lucky number
1.3 2002–2005: magic, castle, , j-game
1.4 2006–2008: dancing diva , agent j
1.5 2009–present: butterfly, myself, muse, , play

life , career
1980–1999: life , career beginnings

tsai born parents tsai chu-chen , huang chun-mei in hsinchuang, taipei, taiwan, on september 15, 1980. father of han chinese descent, while mother half han chinese , half papora. papora maternal grandmother hails puli, nantou, taiwan. attended hsinchuang elementary school. tsai known high grades, , achieved top 3 in class since elementary school. tsai 200-meter sprinter in elementary school, quit after injured ankle. tsai later attended hsinchuang junior high school , chingmei girls high school , friends formed band twister sang, band dissolved. in second year of high school, made performance debut on campus, , sang cranberries s zombie @ welcome party of school s pop music association. in different campus event, sang bette midler s rose , , buoyed enthusiastic reception audience gave her.

in 1998, tsai joined mtv singing competition record of extracurricular activity performed in order apply colleges. however, emerged champion @ singing competition sang rendition of whitney houston s greatest love of in final round. accidental win kickstarted singing career , paved way journey in becoming teen idol. in 1999, majored in english literature @ fu jen catholic university, , signed recording deal universal music taiwan.

1999–2001: 1019, don t stop, show love, , lucky number

after tsai signed recording deal universal, debut single, living world , released in july 1999. started developing debut album, 1019, released in september 1999, , received positive feedback album, 400,000 copies sold in taiwan alone. tsai named teenage boy killer media, , became instant hit among teenagers in taiwan. lead single, know re feeling blue , reached number thirty on hit fm top 100 singles of year. in march 2000, released first live album, 1019 can concert. tsai achieved general recognition in greater china after release of second studio album, don t stop, in april 2000. album became best-selling album in taiwan of career date sales of 450,000 in taiwan alone. title track, don t stop , reached number fourteen on hit fm top 100 singles of year.

in may 2000, tsai released first photo book, nineteen years, pictures photographed in hawaii, , sold more 60,000 copies in taiwan alone. in december 2000, tsai released third studio album, show love, voice in album considered more mature , soothing. however, poorly received such critics taiwanese singer sandee chan, commented done intentionally. having voice doesn t mean making album. album sold more 260,000 copies in taiwan alone. hit singles, still love me reached number thirty on hit fm top 100 singles of year. in march 2001, released second live album, show love concert. in same month, tsai performed title track, show love , @ japan music program broadcast asia super live in tokyo japan television station fuji television. tsai won mtv video music award international viewer s choice music video of fall in love street .

in june 2001, recorded mandarin version of theme song, dream takes , of 2001 disney science fiction film, atlantis: lost empire. song included on pre-order edition of tsai s fourth studio album, lucky number, released in july 2001. tsai received mixed reviews album, , sold more 150,000 copies in taiwan alone. track, if don t want , reached number ninety-four on hit fm top 100 singles of year. after released album, tsai s music career came halt due conflict management company of time, d sound. tsai s father sued d sound , claimed inappropriate contents in recording contract , poor bookkeeping in company. dispute resolved when tsai paid nt$9 millions in liquidated damages d sound. in december 2001, tsai made cameo appearance in television drama, 6 friends.

2002–2005: magic, castle, , j-game

in february 2002, tsai signed recording deal sony music taiwan, , got 1 of biggest transitions in music career. in march 2002, tsai made cameo appearance in television drama, come place. in august 2002, made cameo appearance in television drama, in love. in same month, tsai released second photo book, masque of princess·the spirit of knight, pictures photographed in thailand. sold more 50,000 copies in taiwan alone. single, spirit of knight , collaborated taiwanese singer jay chou, released. tsai s highly anticipated fifth studio album, magic, released in march 2003. album garnered critical acclaim , sole more 1.5 million copies in asia, more 360,000 copies sold in taiwan alone, , made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. title track, magic , reached number twenty-four on hit fm top 100 singles of year. 2 more hit songs, love , prague square , reached number 3 , number sixty-five on hit fm top 100. tsai earned first 2 golden melody award nominations best pop vocal album , best mandarin female singer. nominated mtv asia award favorite artist taiwan. in april 2003, tsai sang theme song hong kong romantic comedy film, why me, sweetie?!. in september 2003, tsai helped american singer madonna translate children s book, titled english roses, traditional chinese, successively translated 5 other madonna s books since then. in october 2003, tsai recorded theme song, marage (warriors in peace) , produced indian producer a. r. rahman, chinese action adventure film, warriors of heaven , earth.

in 2003 television drama, hi working girl, tsai played title role of fu i-ling. after release, television drama received mixed reviews. same year, graduated fu jen catholic university , received bachelor s degree in english literature; later elected recipient of excellent alumni award in 2011. in february 2004, tsai s sixth studio album, castle, released. received positive feedback album, , sold more 2 million copies in asia, more 300,000 copies sold in taiwan alone, , made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. 2 hit tracks, s love , 36 tricks of love , reached number 8 , seventy-eight on hit fm top 100 singles of year. tsai received mtv asia award nomination favorite artist taiwan. nominated mtv video music award japan best buzz asia music video of pirates . beginning in august 2004, tsai embarked on first concert tour, j1 world tour. in december 2004, tsai released second remix album, j9, contains hit fm top 100 number sixty-one hit, signature gesture . in february 2005, performed 36 tricks of love @ cctv new year s gala. in march 2005, signed contract publisher yuanshen author of series of english reference books. first release of these books, jolin s english diary book, sold more 1 million copies in asia, more 250,000 copies sold in taiwan alone.

her seventh studio album, j-game, released in april 2005. album received positive critical reception , sold more 2 million copies in asia, more 260,000 copies sold in taiwan alone, , made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. tsai received mtv asia award nomination favorite artist taiwan. title track, j-game , reached number twenty-six on hit fm top 100 singles of year. 2 more hit tracks, sky , overlooking purposely , reached number 2 , sixty-five on hit fm top 100. in september 2005, recorded mandarin version of song, under sea , disney animated film, little mermaid, celebrate grand opening of hong kong disneyland. @ same time, released third live album, j1 live concert, contains performances j1 world tour. in october 2005, provided guest vocals on taiwanese singer show lo s destined guy , reached number fifty-five on hit fm top 100 , included on lo s album, hypnosis show. in december 2005, tsai released second english reference book, jolin s party, sold more 1 million copies in asia, more 180,000 copies in taiwan alone.

2006–2008: dancing diva , agent j

in february 2006, tsai signed recording deal capitol music taiwan. in may 2006, debuted song, dancing diva , @ mtv asia awards 2006. tsai sparked controversy dance move of rhythmic gymnastics during performing song. won mtv asia award style award. @ same time, tsai released seventh studio album, dancing diva, reflected big change in music , image. album received strong positive reaction media , general public , sold more 2.5 million copies in asia, more 260,000 copies in taiwan alone, , made best-selling singer of year in taiwan. tile track, dancing diva , reached number thirty-three on hit fm top 100 singles of year. 2 more hit songs, pretence , wonder in madrid , reached number 3 , number fourteen on hit fm top 100. album honored 2 golden melody awards—best mandarin female singer , popular female singer (popular vote)—and nominated best mandarin album. want thank naysayers, attack made me work harder, tsai said. thank supporters, expect me has made me best out of myself. however, tsai s win best mandarin female singer generated controversy critics. awards jury commented, won due all-round talent, hard work, , universal pop appeal. in august 2006, tsai provided guest vocals on taiwanese singer david tao s marry me today , reached number 1 on hit fm top 100 , won golden melody award song of year. tsai embarked on dancing forever world tour in september 2006, continued until 2009. performances featured striking yoga poses on rings , pommel horse. however, critics complained show concentrated on juggling , response favorable. @ same time, release third remix album, dancing forever, contains hit fm top 100 number forty-six hit, dancing forever . in february 2007, performed song, marry me today , david tao @ cctv new year s gala.

in june 2007, tsai s first documentary fourth live album, if think can, can, released. documentary chronicled dancing forever world tour. in september 2007, released ninth studio album, agent j. album received critics , sold more 2.5 million copies in asia, more 200,000 copies sold in taiwan alone, , made best-selling singer of year in taiwan again. title track, agent j , reached number fourteen on hit fm top 100 singles of year. 2 more hits, sun never set , bravo lover , reached number 1 , number forty-one on hit fm top 100. tsai received mtv asia award nomination favorite artist taiwan. accompany album, released debut film, agent j, , played title role. received media , general public. @ same time, , sister premiered oops! jealous, range of nail polish products. in november 2007, provided guest vocals on kylie minogue s in arms , included on asia edition of minogue s album, x. in april 2008, featured theme song, beijing welcomes , 100-day countdown of 2008 summer olympics. in july 2008, earned butterfly award ministry of labor of taiwan, , acclaimed role model in music industry. in october 2008, tsai released first cover album third english reference book, love exercise, contains covers of ten english classic songs. album poorly received critics best-selling western-language album of year in taiwan, more 30,000 copies sold in taiwan alone. lead single, won t last day without , cover of carpenters song, reached number 7 on hit fm top 100 singles of year.

2009–present: butterfly, myself, muse, , play

in december 2008, signed recording contract warner music taiwan. in 2009, tsai , ken erman, founder of fashion brand truth , pride, co-founded fashion brand, seventy 2 changes, named after 2003 studio album, magic (also known see 72 changes literally in chinese), include apparel , accessories; closed down in 2011 due difference of business ideas between shareholders in mainland china , united states. in march 2009, tsai released tenth studio album, butterfly. commercially, album sold more 1 million copies in asia, more 190,000 copies sold in taiwan alone, , made best-selling singer of year in taiwan. however, media , critics reacted negatively, commented album confusing patchwork . title track, butterfly , reached number ten on hit fm top 100 singles of year. song, real man , reached number twenty-five on hit fm top 100. further promote album, embarked on butterfly school concert tour. however, distorted right scapula, strained thigh muscle, , sprained right ankle due over-training @ time. in october 2009, released fifth live album, love & life, contains performances 2 of one-off concerts, butterfly concert , slow life concert. in october 2009, tsai extended business ventures , co-founded own music production , management company, eternal, manager ke fu-hung. in april 2010, tsai named ambassador , recorded theme song, heartbeat of taiwan , taiwan pavilion of expo 2010.

tsai released eleventh studio album, myself, in august 2010. album considered among adventurous, tracks dance music, had never attempted chinese singer. however, album received mixed reviews , sold more 65,000 copies in taiwan. became lowest-selling studio album of career date in taiwan, still made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. hit song, honey trap , reached number 1 on hit fm top 100 singles of year. 2 more tracks, nothing left , love player , reached number twenty , fifty-five on hit fm top 100. music video of honey trap features dance moves of vogue in tribute icon madonna. music video of honey trap nominated golden melody award best music video. in december 2010, tsai embarked on myself world tour. box office success gross of nt$150 million 35 shows. accident occurred during rehearsal second leg of tour. tsai fell during upside-down pole dance practice after male dancing partner s hand slipped, left dislocated spine led muscle spasms. tsai forced cancel pole dance performance, planned performed during taipei stop of tour in december 2012, performed pole dance during kaohsiung stop in april 2013. in january 2011, nokia released chart of top 10 songs downloaded globally through ovi music store in 2010, , tsai’s honey trap made number 9 on chart. in july 2011, released first diet book, keep fit, , sold more 120,000 copies in taiwan alone.

tsai s twelfth studio album, muse, released in september 2012. tsai commented: album combines art, pop , music portray how girl should act , stand out in modern society. referred pop masterpiece , album received acclaim critics , sold more 100,000 copies in taiwan alone, , made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. lead single, great artist , reached number 2 on hit fm top 100 singles of year. track, wandering poet , reached number ten on hit fm top 100. 2 more hits, dr. jolin , reached number twenty-five on hit fm top 100, , fantasy both catered gay audience. @ same time, tsai nominated mtv europe music award best asian act. tsai nominated 3 golden melody awards best mandarin album, best mandarin female singer, , best music video album, , lead single, great artist , won song of year. in january 2013, attended midem in cannes , performed in paris @ concert named taiwan music night. in october 2013, recorded promotional single, journey , reached number fifteen on hit fm top 100, jewelry brand swarovski. in october 2013, released sixth live album, myself world tour. in june 2014, ahead of 2014 fifa world cup, recorded english single, time , included on compilation album pepsi beats of beautiful game, support world cup of year. in same month, tsai recorded theme song, kaleidoscope , 2014 chinese romantic drama film, tiny times 3. in october 2014, tsai became 1 of judges reality television singing competition, rising star, harlem yu, chris lee, , li jian.

in november 2014, tsai released thirteenth studio album, play. tsai commented, album refers film script, acting or performance, helped me gain wisdom , experiences during past 2 years. new witty music, hope fans find playful , joyful bringing optimism future. album garnered critical acclaim , declared best album of year . commercially, album sold more 85,000 copies in taiwan, , made best-selling female singer of year in taiwan. title track, play , reached number 1 on hit fm top 100 singles of year. track, third person , , reached number 8 on hit fm top 100. music video of play became most-viewed music video of taiwan in 2014 , helped thrust international spotlight. nolan feeney time magazine commented, might year s best pop music video. nominated mtv europe music award best taiwanese act. album received ten golden melody award nominations—nine in 26th golden melody awards , 1 in 27th—and won best mandarin album , best vocal recording album. in december 2015, performed song, play , @ 2015 mnet asian music awards, won best asian artist. in may 2015, began play world tour, , show first collaboration live nation entertainment. in october 2015, worker killed when sound, lighting, , video rigging collapsed @ concert planning @ guangxi sports center in nanning. tsai expressed sadness on blog.

in february 2016, tsai joined voice cast of disney animated comedy-adventure film, zootopia. voiced european rabbit named judy hopps newly appointed member of zootopia police department in film s taiwanese version. in may 2016, tasi performed @ special event held south korean music program broadcast m countdown in china. in september 2016, tsai collaborated swedish dj alesso , released english single, wanna know , reached number twenty-five on hit fm top 100 singles of year. @ same time, , alesso closed international music summit s asia-pacific event discussion of takes bridge gap between east , west in electronic music. in october 2016, , alesso performed single, wanna know , , remix version of song, play , @ storm music festival in shanghai. in same month, tsai collaborated taiwanese producer starr chen , released new single, ego-holic , reached number fifty-two on hit fm top 100. in december 2016, tsai s songs has on 100 million downloads on past ten years through migu music, online music store under china s biggest mobile network operator china mobile, made highest record sales female artist in asia. in may 2017, tsai released new single, give love , 2017 mother s day , related public interest campaign presented taiwan television station da ai television. in june 2017, tsai collaborated dutch dj hardwell , released english single, 1 . in november 2017, tsai recorded theme song, on happiness road , 2018 taiwanese animated film under same title.