A beloved pioneer for Chinese-American singers in America has tragically passed away after a long battle living with depression.
Coco Lee Passes Away
Coco Lee, a Hong Kong-born American singer and voice actor for Fa Mulan in the Mandarin dub of Disney’s Mulan, was announced dead at age 48. With her bright smile and remarkable talent, Lee captivated audiences worldwide, leaving a mark on the music industry.
Coco Lee, whose birth name was Ferren Lee, began her singing career at a young age. Her passion for music led to success at the age of 19 in Taiwan, where she was said to be a star with the caliber of divas like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. Lee’s voice resonated with fans and critics alike, earning her countless international acclaim. Her English language album, “Just No Other Way,” showcased her powerful vocals and featured hit singles like “Do You Want My Love.”
Beyond her successful music career, Lee was praised by the Disney community for her role as the singing voice and acting voice for the titular character in the Mandarin dub of Mulan. Her rendition of “Reflection” touched the hearts of many, and her contributions to the beloved film will forever be cherished. She also returned to sing the song for the 2020 live-action remake.
View this post on Instagram
A Family in Mourning
Coco Lee’s sisters announced the news of her untimely passing on Instagram. Fans and fellow celebrities expressed their deep sadness and offered prayers to her family. The singer had faced deteriorating mental health recently, causing her to attempt to take her own life in her home. She was brought to the hospital but passed away shortly after.
With great sadness, we are here break the most devastating news: CoCo had been suffering from depression for a few years but her condition deteriorated drastically over the last few months. Although, CoCo sought professional help and did her best to fight depression, sadly that demon inside of her took the better of her. On 2 July, she committed suicide at home and was sent to the hospital. Despite the best efforts of the hospital team to rescue and treat her from her coma, she finally passed away on 5 July, 2023.
2023 marks the 30th anniversary of CoCo’s singing career, in the past 29 years, she’s won countless international acclaims with top selling songs and has left audience w an astounding impression of her excellent live performances. CoCo is also known to have worked tirelessly to open up a new world for Chinese singers in the international music scene, and she went all out to shine for the Chinese. We are proud of her!
As a family of CoCo, we are very grateful and honored to have such an excellent and outstanding sister. We are thankful to God for giving us such a kind angel. We know now she has gone to a happier place and no longer suffers from depression; we trust God has her best interest looked after! Now, our greatest responsibility is to take good care of our elderly mother. I hope everyone will pray for this poor old lady & allow us time & privacy in healing.
Finally, we would like to thank the medical staff again for their dedication to care throughout the whole process. At the same time, we hope that everyone will not only miss CoCo, but also share her bright smile, treat people with sincerity, and convey kindness and love to everyone around us, and continue CoCo’s wish to let everyone around feel her love and happiness.
Although CoCo stays in the world for not long a time, her rays of light will last forever!
Carol & Nancy
View this post on Instagram
Behind her professional success, Coco Lee faced personal battles. She struggled with depression and mental health, shedding light on the importance of seeking help and support. Furthermore, her Instagram account revealed that she had been undergoing medical issues. “Life seemed unbearable at times, but I adapted the attitude of a “female warrior” to face them head-on fearlessly,” she stated in a post. “My goal in 2023 is to share my life story n how I faced major life-changing hurdles n still managed to keep a positive attitude.”
View this post on Instagram
Related: Cherished Oscar-Winning Disney Actor Passes Away
As we mourn the loss of Coco Lee, let us remember her incredible talent. Her contributions to the music industry and her portrayal of the courageous Fa Mulan will not be forgotten. Furthermore, we cannot stress the importance of being there for others while they fight their personal battles.
