Songwriter Lesley Chiang Talks Hong Kong Love, Music and Mental Health

Hong Kong-Canadian actress and singer-songwriter Lesley Chiang has captured Hong Kong’s heart in journey acting, signing, writing, and performing in the city. Popular in her role as Liza in the Hong Kong sitcom ‘Come Home Love: Lo and Behold’, Lesley found renewed fame after winning the 2022 TVB Award for Best Rising Star.

Lesley began her career in Tokyo more than a decade ago, hosting a morning kid’s variety show. In 2016, she became the first Hong Kong songwriter to compose and produce the title song for K-Pop, 2PM’s ‘Promise (I’ll be)’.

Diagnosed with depression in 2017, Lesley leads the fight to help those with mental illness, volunteering as a dedicated mental health advocate and serving as an ambassador of the Suicide Prevention Services in Hong Kong. She opens up to The Beat Asia on her life in the limelight, music career and mental health.

First of all, for those who don’t know, who is Lesley Chiang?

Lesley Chang is a singer, songwriter and actress from Hong Kong and loving life. I am also a mental health activist and a dog mum.

What does the Cantonese culture in Hong Kong mean to you?

I was born in Hong Kong, but I left for Canada when I was five. I chose to return to Hong Kong for my career and adult life. While I am fortunate to grow up with different cultures, including my experience in Canada and Japan, there's something about Hong Kong and all the memories of returning for holidays to visit my father. That makes me feel warm and at home in this wonderful city.

The culture, I love it because it's chill on one side, with the people open, welcoming and casual. I think that's good for me because sometimes I'm an uptight worrier. Hong Kong reminds me to take a chill pill and enjoy everything: the busy city, nightlife, gorgeous beaches, and hiking spots.

What first brought you to your passion for music and writing?

I always joke that I was born singing opera in the world, because I literally can't recall a time when I wasn't singing or dancing to Janet Jackson, Madonna or Britney Spears on TV.

When I was three years old, I told my parents that I wanted to be a performer, a singer, and an actress. As for writing, I had my first musical dream at 16, where I woke up in the middle of the night and started writing, playing the piano, and that's how my journey started. I haven’t stopped since.

I think I could write like eight songs in a day, which is crazy. Now it's slowed down a bit. Funnily enough, when I'm happy in life I write a bit slower than when I'm depressed. Music has always been there in my journey.

Who influenced your journey in creating music?

Of course, life brings the biggest influence on my music. My J-Pop idols, namely Hikaru Utada and I K O, are my two biggest influences in my melodic style. When it comes to music, it’s growing and ever-changing. It could be anything from the eighties or nineties, to modern artists like SZA or Kendrick Lamar.

Through your music, what do you hope others feel?

For me as a singer songwriter, because I write my own songs, I would really love to express my own feelings. At the same time, I think a large part of the human experience shares the struggle of feeling alone or your situation is unique.

Especially with my sad songs like ‘Until We Meet Again’ or ‘Tonight’, I hope it will remind people that they're not alone. We're all human, we have our feelings, we have our dramas. I hope people will see the current me and realise no matter how sad, how depressed or mentally illed they are right now, there's hope. Look at me, I am fortunate and lucky to be alive.

How can you inspire your fans and others listening to your mental health journey to spread awareness and advocacy?

For me, it's also a struggle. It's an ongoing journey. I have my ups and downs, but I think since 2017, I have decided to come out and disclose my illness, my depression, and my anxiety.

It was scary at first, but now I feel there is a shift in society and the general conversation. [Spreading awareness of my mental health] is not just an honour, I'm just so lucky and grateful to be in my position with my platform to spread awareness.

In your role on "Come Home Love: Lo and Behold", what does winning the Best Rising Star award mean to you for your acting career?

Winning the Best Rising Star [award] means so much to me for my acting career. Before winning, I was happy go-lucky, just enjoying a journey instead of focusing on the goal. On the night of the awards show, that's when I realised I was more acknowledged. 

After winning, it changed my career. This sprouted more opportunities with all sorts of projects. Simply the acknowledgement of my acting makes me feel so grateful.

What does the future hold for you?

As a newly married girl, I will continue to enjoy and be helplessly and hopelessly in love with my man. I am focusing on enjoying life and staying present. I promised myself that I would never ever let myself take anything for granted.

While practising gratitude and appreciation every day, I'm going to continue to work hard and group my career with challenges in both singing and acting. The sky is the limit, and I am blessed to be in my position.