Ill Tanya cancels HK gig

Local singer-songwriter Tanya Chua will have to wait a little longer to stand on the vaunted stage of Hong Kong Coliseum. Her Suddenly Beautiful concert there on Thursday has been cancelled because her bout of flu has worsened into acute laryngitis.

In a note addressed to her fans on Facebook posted on Tuesday, she wrote: "The Coliseum has always been a dream stage for me, and having looked forward to it for so long, to have to cancel the concert for a reason that is beyond my control, I feel very sad, and very sorry.

"But I can't face you in this less than perfect condition and I hope you can understand this difficult decision, and I hope to have the opportunity again very soon to meet you all at the Coliseum."

The note added that her voice is currently hoarse and she is unable to speak normally or sing. Doctors have determined that she will not be able to recover quickly enough for the concert.

Refunds will be processed at the Coliseum from today to July 9.

Chua, 39, a record three-time Golden Melody Award winner for Best Mandarin Female Singer, posted a 49-second-long video on Facebook. Looking a little tired and sounding hoarse, she says: "We released this statement at 6pm to announce that the concert has been cancelled. Actually from that moment on, I've been very nervous as I don't know what everyone's reaction will be like.

"Having seen the comments, I feel more calm. I sincerely thank you for understanding. Apart from gratitude, I only have more thanks. Thank you for your patience and for your generosity. Please continue to love me as I need your affection."

The video has been liked more than 2,900 times and more than 230 comments have been posted.

User Winny Ip wrote: "Tanya T^T We love U! Hong Kong is waiting for you, you have to come again even if there's no opening at the Coliseum T^T". Another netizen, Waffle Bel, said: "You owe us no apology for keeping us anticipating the best from you. This is what a professional and responsible musician will do."

According to her record label, Rock Records Singapore, Chua will not be doing any interviews at the moment as the priority is for her to rest and get well.

bchan@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on June 26, 2014.
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