Chinese TV shows roll out the red carpet for international stars – Xinhua

by Xinhua authors Yao Yuan, Zhang Yujie, Ju Yinhe and Lin Jianjie

CHANGSHA, July 4 (Xinhua) — When American singer Chante Moore arrived in China for a music competition in May, within weeks she was overwhelmed by her rapidly rising popularity in the Asian country.

Whether in the gym, in a restaurant or on the street, her new fans in the central Chinese city of Changsha have recognized her. “That doesn’t happen so often in America,” says the 57-year-old singer, who became famous in the USA with her whistle sounds and R&B songs.

Moroccan-Canadian singer Faouzia, a 23-year-old rising star in the Western music world, had a similar experience during her first trip to China.

“When I first came here, it was very relaxed. But now people always recognize me when I go to the mall, even if I’m wearing sunglasses or a hoodie,” she said.

Moore and Faouzia are currently in Changsha participating in “Singer 2024,” a hit show hosted by Hunan TV and Mango TV. Every Friday, they compete in live performances against other established Chinese singers such as Na Ying and Wang Sulong.

Since its debut on May 10, the show has been dubbed “Changsha’s Grammy” due to its strong international lineup. Guests also included American pop star Adam Lambert as a guest artist in Week 3 and Kazakh singer Rukhiya as a challenger in Week 8.

Moore and Faouzia are new to the season’s starting lineup for most Chinese viewers and the country’s show business community, but that hasn’t stopped them from winning the title of “Weekly Champion” five times in the last eight weeks, as voted for by a panel of public and online viewers.

In interviews with Xinhua, both singers said they were touched by the warm response from Chinese audiences.

“They’re just open, loving and ready for you to sing,” Moore said. “They don’t discriminate against one another. It seems like they want everyone to do well and they connect with each song and keep their fingers crossed for us.”

“I’ve never felt like I’m reaching so many people at once and being in another country at the same time,” she said. “For me, it feels like I’m starting a whole new chapter in my career.”

Faouzia, the show’s youngest singer, used translation tools to read comments from Chinese viewers. “They are very funny, loving and very kind. I felt very welcome here,” she said.

Hong Xiao, producer of “Singer 2024,” said the international singers had far exceeded the expectations of the production team and the audience with their first-class vocal delivery and complete ease on stage.

“When they arrived in China, Chante Moore and Faouzia were relatively new faces and less burdened by fame. This is probably why they are less nervous and anxious on the highly competitive stage,” he said.

It is not the first time that the Singer Show has made international singers feel popular in China. In 2018, British pop singer Jessie J took first place in the competition. “I have never felt so welcome and loved as I do here,” she was quoted as saying by the BBC.

This year, the international elements of Chinese shows also sparked discussions among the audience. Another ongoing Chinese variety show, “Riding the Wind 2024,” features international stars such as French singer Joyce Jonathan, Vietnamese singer Suni, and K-pop star Nicole Jung. The upcoming season of “Call Me by Fire” will also feature artists from countries such as Japan, Thailand, and Malaysia.

Many of these artists have left their studios to explore China. On Chinese social media platform Xiaohongshu (Little Red Book), netizens posted photos of their encounters with Moore as she strolled the streets of Changsha with her husband. Meanwhile, Faouzia shared her visits to Hong Kong and Beijing on X and Instagram.

“It is an encouraging trend that more and more Chinese variety shows are inviting artists from outside China. This not only makes the shows more international, but also creates a new channel for cultural exchange,” said Sun Jiashan, associate professor at the Central Academy of Culture and Tourism Administration.

While gaining new fans in China, international celebrities also have the opportunity to experience China with their own eyes, said the television, film and cultural industry researcher.

Hong said Singer 2024 plans to invite more international singers throughout the season. He expects the show to build a bridge for “musical and cultural exchange across languages ​​and borders.”

Moore, who was encouraged by Jessie J before her trip to China, now wants to convey the same message to other American singers: “Everyone I met here was nice. So come! Just come with an open heart.”

Faouzia said her experience in China broadened her musical horizons. “You’re new among a lot of new people, so you have to work a little harder, and that way you don’t stagnate so much in your career and feel so uncomfortable. It pushes you to new heights.”

Last Friday, Faouzia wowed the audience with her first Chinese-language song at the show. Moore also used the guzheng, the Chinese plucked zither, in her cover of Tina Turner’s “The Best.”

“The support I’ve received has been incredible and everyone has been so loving. With this song I just want to thank them and show them that I really care and appreciate them and their culture,” said Faouzia. ■