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Andy Lau Exclusive Interview

Without a word or grand gesture, Hong Kong superstar royalty Andy Lau silenced the commotion in the room with his mere presence. Plain and simple, this mega icon exuded charisma and oozed sex appeal whether it was with those flirtatious brown eyes peering through blond bangs or that boyish grin.

We sat down with Andy, recipient of the inaugural ASTYLE Entertainment Award, in a candid interview this past Monday in the heart of Times Square, New York to get a rare glimpse into the life of the actor, the musician, the celebrity, and the man.

It was 9:19 a.m. and the pressroom was buzzing with last minute interview prepping. At 9:21 a.m., international idol Andy Lau seemed to "float" into the room. Flanked by his entourage, everyone in the room fell under this man's quiet hypnotic spell. Papers stopped shuffling, chatter dissolved into a hush, and heads turned. Andy wore a full length ivory down hooded parka, dark black shades, and looked every bit "the" cool rock star. Sporting blond locks and black from head to toe, Andy made the vision of "how to look diesel at 9:00 am."

Andy had just finished three engagements at the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City, NJ. His final show was this past Saturday, November 28 at 2:00 a.m. Yes, that's right - 2:00 a.m. when he rocked the house with 5,000 of his adoring fans. Despite his grueling schedule, Andy never appeared phased or fatigued. True to his celebrity blue blood, he was devilishly charming and it is no wonder he was donned the "Tom Cruise of the East" by no other than Hollywood superstar Chow Yun Fat himself.

Here's Andy's responses to our questions in this exclusive interview.

ASTYLE: So how has the tour been going so far?

Andy: It's good.

ASTYLE: It's been three years since your last concert series, has anything changed significantly?

Andy: On the last tour we concentrated on the production, this time around we focused more on the music

ASTYLE: Do you think there are differences between your fans in Asia and your fans in North America?

Andy: I think all [the fans] are the same.

ASTYLE: You have the ability to sing in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Malay. How did you learn to speak so many languages?

Andy: I just try my best to pronounce that language. I start by using Chinese and many of the sounds of other languages are similar. For example, in Malay, there are pronunciations that are similar to Chinese. So, I first try writing in Chinese or Mandarin.

ASTYLE: In 1998 you collaborated with Kenny G. in "Be My Lady". With a lot of international stars like Ricky Martin and Celine Dion crossing over have you ever thought about doing an album in English?

Andy: No (Looks around and then bursts out into laughter). I think that before I do an English album, I'm sure I need to polish up my English. So when I'm ready, I will try.

ASTYLE: You are considered one of the hardest working men in show business with a track record of 100 films to your credit How do you do it? What is your drive?

Andy: I don't know (shrugs and laughs). I think most of the artists in Hong Kong do lots of things: they sing, act, work in a TV series all at the same time. It's a very strange thing in Hong Kong.

ASTYLE: Why do you think that is?

Andy: I don't know. That's how a career is in Hong Kong. I think all the Hong Kong stars do what I do.

ASTYLE: Do you ever get tired? You have these performances at 2 a.m...

Andy: Of course! (He sighs and looks distant for a moment, but then quickly re-focuses on the present). But you have to do it.

ASTYLE: At one point in your career you were making ten movies a year and, you stated "I just try to make sure the way I walk, talk, or smoke is different in one movie from the other." What about now? How many films do you average currently?

Andy: Around two a year. I'm working on two films. One is called?"Blue-Blood? How do you say? "Blue-Blooded People?" The other is a film about ancient times currently called, "Final Battle of the Forbidden City."

ASTYLE: What do you think of the rise in popularity of Asian actors and directors like John Woo, Chow Yun Fat, and Jackie Chan in Hollywood?

Andy: I think it's good. I hope they do well.

ASTYLE: Robert DeNiro, Al Pacino, and Meryl Streep are said to be some of your favorite actors. Are there any other Western actors who you would like to work with?

Andy: Brad Pitt!

ASTYLE: On one of your many Andy Lau fan websites, there are thousands of them, one female wrote, "He is the King of Kings..."

Andy: (Smiles) That is cool!

ASTYLE: ... "I wish Andy Lau would come to Hollywood for major exposure. No doubt he will definitely succeed like my two favorite other stars like Chow Yun Fat and Jackie Chan." You have been working with a production company to look out for Hollywood projects, have you found anything?

Andy: I hope to, but I don't have anything right now. I have wanted to come, but you have to wait for the right project.

ASTYLE: As an introduction to American audiences, what kind of film would you prefer your first work be: comedy, drama action?

Andy: (Laughs) All, of course! I am classified as an idol in Hong Kong and in Asia. I think Hollywood idols do more action-packed films and drama. So, I could do that.

ASTYLE: For American audiences who may not be too familiar with your work, what would you like to say to them? Or what would you like them to know about you? How would you describe Andy Lau?

Andy: Actually, I look the same in real life as I do in the movies. There are no differences between the Andy on the screen, in the songs, or in person. This is who I am (smiles).

ASTYLE: Being the object of affection of so many women worldwide, I think that many of them would like to know what qualities you look for in woman?

Andy: As long as they are a woman. Yes. Female is okay.

ASTYLE: Do you consider yourself a sex symbol?

Andy: What?!? (Surprised) Am I? I don't think so. (Laughs)

ASTYLE: When you wake up in the morning, what do you see?

Andy: Something messy! (Everyone in the rooms laughs). I don't think I'm a "sex symbol" (A sly grin washes over his face). But if you think so?I'll stop right there.

ASTYLE: If you could describe yourself as a food, what would that be?

Andy: Orange (He says with a devilish smirk). Once you peel the orange and go below the surface, you can tell if an orange is good or not. You have to peel an orange very carefully and taste it carefully and then you can tell what this is. . . (dramatic pause) That means that you have to taste me... (He looks square into the camera and licks his lips when he says this. The room goes still and then crazy with shock and approval.)

ASTYLE: I think it's safe to say that you are one of the most downloaded artists to come out of Asia on the Internet. When we did an Internet search of your name, almost 5,000 websites came up related to you. Have you ever seen any of these websites? And would you ever participate in an online chat?

Andy: I haven't. Unfortunately, I don't have much free time.

ASTYLE: What do you think of the Internet?

Andy: It's a very new business. I really don't know much about it, but I think it's a very trendy thing.

ASTYLE: What do fans usually ask of you?

Andy: When I'm going to get married? Or am I gay? (Talk about rapier sharp wit. He says this with a high-arching eyebrow and a naughty look on his face.)

ASTYLE: What has been one of the craziest interactions with a fan?

Andy: Around 3:00 am, a lady knocked on my door and asked me for my autograph. You know, if I tell the press that I like long blonde hair, the next day there will be girls with long hair wigs outside waiting for me.

ASTYLE: Did you know that as an example of how crazy fans are for you, two of my closest friends wanted to come and just touch your hair? I think that they would have died and gone to heaven. . .

Andy: Really? Here... (He pretends to pull out a lock of his hair and gives it to us)

ASTYLE: What would you recommend to any aspiring artists out there who look to you as their role model?

Andy: I am a common person, so don't expect too much. For advice, work hard. When you feel like this isn't your business, get out of the business. Don't wait. If it's not right, move on.

ASTYLE: You have been quoted as saying that if you were reincarnated, you would come back as a "sportsman". What kind of athlete would you be and are there any athletes now who you admire?

Andy: If I was born again, I would be able to do any sport because I would have time to learn. But I can't because of my age now (he laughs). Physically, it's too demanding. Now I do bowling, golf, and tennis. I want to be a good bowler.

ASTYLE: With all of your success, what has been the hardest lesson learned?

Andy: Hmm?I have no time to sleep (He genuinely looks tired for a split second, but then quickly rebounds). I have to do everything in the right way. Before you do anything, you need to know if it's right or wrong. The more you do, the more experience you have and the next time it will be easier to choose the right thing.

ASTYLE: Do you have anything exciting planned for the New Year?

Andy: Not yet.

ASTYLE: What direction would you like to see your career move in the next millennium?

Andy: I would like to do some musicals.

ASTYLE: Is there anything you would like to say for the fans here?

Andy: First of all I would like to say I'm sorry because of my tight schedule and I can't stay close to all my fans in the world. So I will try my best to listen to you (points to camera) and I will be here again, and I will work harder and harder and make sure I do a very good job. So please try to support me forever.