Coco Lee#Early life

Ferren Lee was born on 17 January 1975{{cite news |url= http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/columnist/art/20090621/12901804 |title= 為 Coco者 |publisher= Apple Daily |author1= 軻貴妃 |work= 副刊 |date= 21 June 2009 |access-date= 13 April 2016 |quote= (Coco──原本叫李美琳的李玟) |language= zh |archive-date= 25 April 2016 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160425140437/http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/supplement/columnist/art/20090621/12901804 |url-status= live }}{{Cite web |last=Vlessing |first=Etan |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee, Disney 'Mulan' Star, Dies at 48 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coco-lee-dead-disney-mulan-star-dies-suicide-1235529610/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705210716/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/coco-lee-dead-disney-mulan-star-dies-suicide-1235529610/ |url-status=live }} in Hong Kong or Wuhan.{{cite web |date=21 October 2023 |title=樂壇天后李玟今午正式長眠武漢 現場率先曝光遍佈粉紫色海報 |url=https://www.hk01.com/article/953592 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=香港01 |language=zh-hant}}{{cite web |date=25 October 2023 |title=李玟生前想葬馬爾地夫!媽超心疼反對...改長眠武漢「原因藏洋蔥」|url=https://star.setn.com/news/1372393 |access-date=10 November 2023 |website=三立娛樂星聞 |language=zh-hant}} She was a posthumous child, as her father had died earlier of an illness. She had physical defects in her left leg, which affected her throughout her life and contributed to her later challenges.{{cite web | title=母含淚帶大! 李玟是遺腹子「沒見過爸爸」 | website=壹電視 | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.nexttv.com.tw/NextTV/News/Home/Entertainment/m/2023-07-06/1229873.html | language=zh | access-date=25 June 2024}} After her father's death, Lee's mother moved the family to Hong Kong to seek support from relatives. They faced difficult times there before emigrating to the US when Lee was nine years old.{{cite web | last=Magazine | first=HK | title=Coco Lee | website=South China Morning Post | date=19 October 2016 | url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/hk-magazine/article/2036279/coco-lee | access-date=27 August 2023}}{{Cite web |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee, Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter, dead at 48 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/coco-lee-obit-1.6897893 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=CBC |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705213637/https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/coco-lee-obit-1.6897893 |url-status=live }} She had two elder sisters, Carol and Nancy, the latter of whom would become Lee's manager early in her career.{{Cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |last2=Wong |first2=Tessa |date=6 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee: The pioneering singer who charmed the world |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66117306 |url-status=live |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706151311/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-66117306 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |quote=Nancy served as Lee's wardrobe consultant, public relations officer and makeup artist – including on Oscar night. In fact it was Nancy who suggested the moniker Coco.}} Growing up in San Francisco, Lee attended Redding Elementary School, Presidio Middle School, and Raoul Wallenberg Traditional High School.{{Cite news |last=Vaziri |first=Aidin |title=CoCo Lee, the Hong Kong-born singer famous for 'Crouching Tiger' song, dies at 48 |url=https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/coco-lee-singer-dead-mulan-crouching-tiger-18185911 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Datebook {{!}} San Francisco Arts & Entertainment Guide |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705212621/https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/coco-lee-singer-dead-mulan-crouching-tiger-18185911 |url-status=live }} She won the title of Miss Teen Chinatown San Francisco in 1991 at age 16.{{cite web |url=https://today.line.me/tw/v2/article/9m8ooRV |title=天后李玟享年 48 歲 舊金山華人追憶親民暖舉}}{{cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Lauren |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee, 'Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon' and 'Mulan' Singer, Dies at 48 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/05/arts/music/coco-lee-dead.html |access-date=6 July 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706100151/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/05/arts/music/coco-lee-dead.html |url-status=live}}

{{Gallery

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|Coco Lee 12.png|Coco Lee during a 2007 interview

|CoCo Lee's Redding Elementary School Diploma.jpg|Coco Lee's Redding Elementary School Diploma

|CoCo Lee's Presidio Middle School Diploma.jpg|Coco Lee's Presidio Middle School Diploma

|Contestants of the 1991 Miss Teen Chinatown pageant, including CoCo Lee Stage 06.jpg|CoCo Lee at the Miss Teen Chinatown Gala, 1991, with BD Wong

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At age 17, Lee twice won a local singing contest.{{cite web | title=CoCo李玟 – 三立 封面人物 (2006) |website=YouTube |date=4 September 2012 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vHPUiNjzrw |language=zh |access-date=11 August 2023}}{{cite news|title=Coco Lee Hits the Ground Running|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-17-ca-65094-story.html|work=Los Angeles Times|date=17 February 2000|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=14 January 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170114062121/http://articles.latimes.com/2000/feb/17/entertainment/ca-65094|url-status=live}} After graduating from high school in 1993, she entered a TVB competition in Hong Kong and was offered a recording contract. She attempted to juggle her singing career in Hong Kong with her pre-medical studies at the University of California, Irvine, which she eventually left after one year.{{cite news|title=Loco for Coco: Singer reveals the rocker inside|url=http://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1313879/loco-coco-singer-reveals-rocker-inside|work=South China Morning Post|date=26 September 2013|first=Vanessa|last=Yung|access-date=13 April 2017|archive-date=13 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170413160802/http://www.scmp.com/magazines/48hrs/article/1313879/loco-coco-singer-reveals-rocker-inside|url-status=live}} During an interview in 1997, Lee said she never intended to become a star. Her goal in life had been to become a surgeon, following in her mother's footsteps.{{Cite web |date=7 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee never wanted to be a star, 'I was shy' — from the archive |url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/arts-culture/article/3226848/coco-lee-hong-kong-pop-singer-never-wanted-be-star-i-was-shy-scmp-archive |website=South China Morning Post}}

In 1993, Lee returned to Hong Kong to visit her sisters.{{Cite web |last=St. Martin |first=Emily |date=6 July 2023 |title=CoCo Lee, Hong Kong-born 'Mulan' singer, dies at 48 |url=https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-07-05/coco-lee-hong-kong-mulan-singer-dies-at-48 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230706232858/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2023-07-05/coco-lee-hong-kong-mulan-singer-dies-at-48 |archive-date=6 July 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Los Angeles Times |quote=The next Ricky Martin sings in Cantonese and Mandarin and English, and she's definitely not a dude. Her name is Coco Lee. ... [L]ike Martin, she's a multilingual, bicultural American}}{{cite web | title=李玟家姐李思林念悼詞哽咽失聲 讚CoCo如天使: 望不再有人傷害你 | website=香港01 | date=21 October 2023 | url=https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/953738/%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E5%AE%B6%E5%A7%90%E6%9D%8E%E6%80%9D%E6%9E%97%E5%BF%B5%E6%82%BC%E8%A9%9E%E5%93%BD%E5%92%BD%E5%A4%B1%E8%81%B2-%E8%AE%9Acoco%E5%A6%82%E5%A4%A9%E4%BD%BF-%E6%9C%9B%E4%B8%8D%E5%86%8D%E6%9C%89%E4%BA%BA%E5%82%B7%E5%AE%B3%E4%BD%A0 | language=zh-hant | access-date=21 October 2023}} While there, she took part in the 12th annual New Talent Singing Awards and was the first runner-up,{{Cite web |date=5 July 2023 |title=Beloved singer's final post before tragic death |url=https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/coco-lee-hong-kong-born-singer-known-for-her-powerful-voice-dies-aged-48-c-11192255 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=7NEWS |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705225436/https://7news.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/coco-lee-hong-kong-born-singer-known-for-her-powerful-voice-dies-aged-48-c-11192255 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last=Everington |first=Keoni |date=5 July 2023 |title=Hong Kong-American pop diva Coco Lee dies from suicide at 48 {{!}} Taiwan News {{!}} 5 July 2023 23:23:00 |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4936990 |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=Taiwan News |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705225435/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/4936990 |url-status=live}} singing Whitney Houston's Run to You.{{cite web |url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=16sD18_pJlE |title=致永遠的月光愛人{{pipe}}樂壇巨星 李玟CoCo{{pipe}}出道至今經典舞台合集 通過歌聲懷念一代唱跳天后{{pipe}}Run to You{{pipe}}月光愛人{{pipe}}Fly Me to the Moon{{pipe}}刀馬旦{{pipe}}明星 – YouTube |website=YouTube |date=6 July 2023 |accessdate=11 July 2023 |archive-date=11 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711082548/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16sD18_pJlE |url-status=live}} The following day, Capital Artists offered her a recording contract.

Lee made her debut on compilation albums such as Red Hot Hits '93 Autumn Edition (zh). In 1994, she released her first solo albums in Mandarin in Taiwan, {{ill|愛就要趁現在|zh|愛就要趁現在|lt=Love from Now On}} and {{ill|答應我 (李玟專輯)|zh|答應我 (李玟專輯)|lt=Promise Me}}, through Fancy Pie Records.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2023 |title=The sudden death of Chinese-American singer Coco Lee at 48 |url=https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/the-sudden-death-of-chinese-american-singer-coco-lee-at-48/ss-AA1dvtDy |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=MSN |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708065814/https://www.msn.com/en-za/news/other/the-sudden-death-of-chinese-american-singer-coco-lee-at-48/ss-AA1dvtDy |url-status=live}} Her English-language cover album {{ill|勇敢去愛 (專輯)|zh|勇敢去愛 (專輯)|lt=Brave Enough to Love}} and her third Mandarin album, {{ill|被愛的女人|zh|被愛的女人|lt=Woman in Love}}, came out the following year.

In 1996, Lee signed with Sony Music Entertainment. Her next Mandarin album, {{ill|往日情·愛我久一點|zh|往日情·愛我久一點|lt=CoCo Lee}}, became the best-selling record in Asia that year. She subsequently released another English cover album, {{ill|CoCo's Party|zh|CoCo's Party|lt=CoCo's Party}}, also in 1996. The following year, she issued the Mandarin album {{ill|每一次想你|zh|每一次想你|lt=Sincere}} as well as a Cantonese record, {{ill|COCO (1997年專輯)|zh|COCO (1997年專輯)|lt=COCO}},{{Cite news |date=7 February 2017 |title=Coco Lee to sing greatest hits |work=Shenzhen Daily |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1865387834 |access-date=6 July 2023 |id={{ProQuest|1865387834}} |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718000838/https://www.proquest.com/docview/1865387834 |url-status=live}} the only one she ever recorded in that language. In 1998, her Mandarin album {{ill|Di Da Di·暗示|zh|Di Da Di·暗示|lt=Di Da Di}} came out, selling one million copies in less than three months.

From Lee's next album, {{ill|Sunny Day·好心情|zh|Sunny Day·好心情|lt=Sunny Day}}, the track "Colors of the World" was used for the opening of the 1998 FIFA World Cup, and "The Answer" (答案) was featured in the Chinese movie Bishonen. In 1998, Lee was hired by Walt Disney Pictures to sing the theme song "Reflection" (自己; translation: "myself") and voice Fa Mulan in the Mandarin version of Mulan (花木蘭).{{Cite web |last=Soo |first=Zen |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee dies by suicide at age 48, her siblings say |url=https://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/coco-lee-dies-by-suicide-at-age-48-her-siblings-say/3182462/ |access-date=5 July 2023 |website=NBC Los Angeles |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705221122/https://www.nbclosangeles.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/coco-lee-dies-by-suicide-at-age-48-her-siblings-say/3182462/ |url-status=live}} The same year, she sang "Missing You in 365 Days" (zh), one of the theme songs of the film Lotus Lantern, the first commercial animated feature film in mainland China.{{cite book | title=IBMYP國際文憑中學項目語言與文學課本一(繁體版) | publisher=三聯書店(香港)有限公司 | year=2018 | isbn=978-962-04-4209-4 | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=wUkREAAAQBAJ&pg=PA166 | language=zh | access-date=22 October 2023 | page=166}}{{cite web | last=Xu | first=Amber | title= Lotus Lantern and the Making of the First Commercial Animated Feature Film in Mainland China – An Interview with Animator Chang Guangxi | website=ACAS | date=2 January 2018 | url=https://acas.world/zh/2018/01/03/lotus-lantern-and-the-making-of-the-first-commercial-animated-film-in-mainland-china%E2%94%80%E2%94%80an-interview-with-animator-chang-guangxi/ | language=zh | access-date=22 October 2023}}

File:Chien Yao And CoCo Lee in 1998 Channel V.jpg on "Weekend Commander/周末霸王" at Channel V, 1998.

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In August 1998, Lee performed in Taiwan to an audience of more than 50,000 fans.{{Cite news |last=Taib |first=Shuib |date=5 December 2000 |title=Coco Lee to perform here |work=New Straits Times |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/266565958 |access-date=7 July 2023 |id={{ProQuest|266565958}} |archive-date=18 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230718000859/https://www.proquest.com/docview/266565958 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=「當年進軍歐美, 我只是想證明華人也是很會唱歌的!」出道25週年始終正面陽光女神Coco李玟歌單大回顧 |website=Vogue Taiwan |date=11 April 2019 |url=https://www.vogue.com.tw/culture/content-46740 |language=zh |access-date=26 August 2023}} The next year, she performed in a "Michael Jackson and friends" charity concert{{cite web |last= |date=5 July 2023 |title="Michael Jackson & Friends"'s Hong Kong Singer Coco Lee died |url=https://www.mjvibe.com/michael-jackson-friendss-hong-kong-singer-coco-lee-died/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=MJVibe |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162513/https://www.mjvibe.com/michael-jackson-friendss-hong-kong-singer-coco-lee-died/ |url-status=live}} and later released the Mandarin album {{ill|今天到永遠|zh|今天到永遠|lt=From Today Till Forever}}.{{cite web | title=今天到永遠(平裝)From Today Till Forever | website=五大唱片 | url=https://www.5music.com.tw/Cdlist-C.asp?cdno=425425740940 | language=zh | access-date=24 November 2023}} Later that year, under 550 Music, she released her first English album of original songs, titled Just No Other Way, which included the hit "Do You Want My Love". The song reached No. 4 on the US Billboard Hot Dance Breakouts chart in December,{{cite magazine|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iggEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA53|title=Hot Dance Breakouts: Club Play|magazine=Billboard|volume=111|issue=51|page=53|date=18 December 1999}} making Lee the first Chinese singer to break into the American market.{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/coco-lee-death-suicide-hong-kong-singer-c007785b3944087f428cf5d07d23fb97 |title=Coco Lee, Hong Kong singer and songwriter who had international success, dies at 48}} Her love song "Before I Fall in Love" was included in the soundtrack to the movie Runaway Bride.{{cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |last2=Youngs |first2=Ian |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee: Disney star and pop singer dies at 48 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66111919 |access-date=5 July 2023 |archive-date=5 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705213636/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-66111919 |url-status=live}} She also recorded the duet "Can't Get Over" with Kelly Price. Lee recorded the charity singles "We Meet the Future" and "Hand in Hand" for SARS with other artists, including Wang Leehom, Stefanie Sun, Elva Hsiao, and Jolin Tsai. In Asia, she released the Mandarin album {{ill|真情人·You & Me|zh|真情人·You & Me|lt=True Lover You & Me}}. By 2000, she had released 20 albums in Asia and sold 7.5 million copies of her records on that continent.{{Cite news|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-17-ca-65094-story.html|title=Coco Lee Hits the Ground Running|first=Alisa|last=Valdes-Rodriguez|date=17 February 2000|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|access-date=5 July 2023|archive-date=22 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210222223240/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2000-feb-17-ca-65094-story.html|url-status=live}}

In 2001, Lee sang the song "A Love Before Time" for the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, which she performed at the Oscars. The track was introduced by the actress Julia Stiles as an "evocative love ballad" that combined "the flavor and texture of Eastern music with the orchestral color and sensitive lyrics of Western culture". Lee's next album, {{ill|Promise (李玟專輯)|zh|Promise (李玟專輯)|lt=Promise Coco}}, was released in October 2001 and included a Mandarin cover song titled "Baby, I'm Sorry" (Baby 對不起).[http://www.mtvasia.com/music/videos/gqm8kg/Bao-Bei-Dui-Bu-Qi-Baby-I-m-Sorry CoCo Lee Bao Bei Dui Bu Qi (Baby I'm Sorry)][https://www.discogs.com/CoCo-Lee-Promise/master/1256825 Discogs: Coco* – Promise][https://mojim.com/twy100042x29x4.htm 魔鏡歌詞網 > 女生歌手 > 李玟 > So Crazy[影音光碟] > BABY對不起] The track placed at No. 35 on the Taiwan Yearly Singles Top 100 chart that year.{{cite web|title=台灣年度百大歌曲|url=http://www.hitoradio.com/newweb/chart_2.php?ch_year=2001&pageNum_rsList=0|publisher=HitFM|access-date=24 April 2021}} In 2002, Lee released the remix album D. Is Coco (Dance Is Coco). She also sang an anti-tobacco song called "From the Beginning 'til the End" (煙絲萬縷) with singer Jacky Cheung. The same year, at the NBA debut of Yao Ming, Lee performed the US national anthem and became the first Chinese-American singer to sing at an NBA game.{{cite web | url=https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3226720/coco-lees-star-moments-singing-oscars-us20-million-wedding-following-pop-singers-death-age-48 | title=Coco Lee: Hong Kong pop singer's star moments, from singing at the Oscars to US$20 million wedding, as fans mourn her death at age 48| date=6 July 2023}} She also sang the anti-racism song "A Dream of One" with Korean singer Park Jin-young. In 2003, she performed with Shaggy at the MTV Asia Awards in Singapore and also hosted the show with him.{{Cite magazine |last=McClure |first=Steve |date=24 May 2003 |title=MTV Asia Taps Multiple Media to Connect with Its Audiences |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vQ0EAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA48-IA1 |magazine=Billboard |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |volume=115 |issue=21 |page=APQ-1 |issn=0006-2510 |access-date=6 July 2023}}

Lee co-starred in the Chinese comedy movie Master of Everything (自娱自乐) with John Lone, which won the Best Foreign Film award at the 2005 Beverly Hills Film Festival.{{Cite web |title=Biography of CoCo Lee: The Wharton Global Alumni Forum-Hong Kong |url=http://www.whartonhongkong07.com/bio-s-coco.html |access-date=5 July 2023 |publisher=whartonhongkong07.com |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708114534/http://www.whartonhongkong07.com/bio-s-coco.html |url-status=live}}

File:Coco Lee interviewed in 2006 02.jpg

In 2005, Sony BMG released Lee's second English album, Exposed. It was banned in mainland China for "sexy" lyrics in a few songs, such as "Touch" and "So Good".{{Cite web |last=Ho |first=David |date=6 July 2023 |title=The impact of Coco Lee's legacy |url=https://hashtaglegend.com/legends/the-impact-of-coco-lees-legacy/ |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Hashtag Legend |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162614/https://hashtaglegend.com/legends/the-impact-of-coco-lees-legacy/ |url-status=live}} Lee's next Mandarin album, {{ill|要定你|zh|要定你|lt=Just Want You}}, came out on 22 September 2006. In 2008, she was chosen to sing one of the Summer Olympics songs, "Forever Friends", alongside Sun Nan.{{cite web|url=http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214206508.shtml |title=Sun Nan and Coco Lee film 'Forever Friends' music video |publisher=The Beijing Organizing Committee for the Games of the XXIX Olympiad |date=30 November 2007 |access-date=10 September 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120107053722/http://en.beijing2008.cn/culture/songs/n214206508.shtml |archive-date=7 January 2012}}

As the first Asian singer to perform at the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Lee had a solo concert there in July 2009, singing some of Michael Jackson's songs in homage to her idol.{{cite web | url=https://www.scmp.com/article/685464/coco-lee-fondly-recalls-meeting-jacko-and-family-and-touring-neverland | title=Coco Lee fondly recalls meeting Jacko and family and touring Neverland| date=July 2009}} On 14 August 2009, she released a new Mandarin album, {{ill|CoCo的東西|zh|CoCo的東西|lt=East to West}}, with Warner Music Group.{{citation needed|date=July 2023}} It includes the song "Turn" (流轉), which was on the soundtrack to the film The Legend of Silk Boy. Lee also recorded the song "Smile Shanghai" (微笑上海), with artists including JJ Lin, Andy Lau, Jam Hsiao, and Jane Zhang, for the Shanghai World Expo 2010. On 27 March 2010, she began her East2West World Tour at Taipei Arena, in Taiwan. She performed at the Encore Theatre in Wynn Casino in Las Vegas on 3 and 4 July, then at the Singapore Indoor Stadium on 2 October{{cite web |url=http://www.sportshub.com.sg/eventsCalender.asp?filter=10,2010&event_id=378 |title=CoCo Lee East2West World Tour Live in Singapore 2010 |publisher=Singapore Indoor Stadium |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120326001709/http://www.sportshub.com.sg/eventsCalender.asp?filter=10%2C2010&event_id=378 |archive-date=26 March 2012 |url-status=dead}} and in Nanning on 16 December. In March 2011, Lee was one of many artists who participated in the recording of the Artistes 311 Love Beyond Borders official theme song, "Succumb Not to Sorrow" (不要輸給心痛), on the Cantonese version. On 7 April 2011, her song "Dreams on Oriental Seas" (梦在东方的海上), featuring Sun Nan, was broadcast. It was named as the theme for the 14th FINA World Championships, which took place in Shanghai on 16 July.{{cite web |url=http://www.shanghai-fina2011.com/13/2011/0413/161.html |title=The theme song for the 14th FINA world championship |publisher=FINA World Championships Shanghai 2011 Organising Committee |access-date=11 October 2013 |archive-date=11 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130511011135/http://www.shanghai-fina2011.com/13/2011/0413/161.html |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2898:14th-fina-world-championships-shanghai-2011-medical-and-doping-control-programmes&catid=300:articles&Itemid=974 |title=14th FINA World Championships – Shanghai 2011 |publisher=FINA |date=1 August 2011 |access-date=11 October 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120802072524/http://www.fina.org/H2O/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=2898%3A14th-fina-world-championships-shanghai-2011-medical-and-doping-control-programmes&catid=300%3Aarticles&Itemid=974 |archive-date=2 August 2012}}

File:076 Coco street concert mod.jpg

On 8 June 2011, Lee announced that she had set up her own recording studio. On 25 June, her song "Four Seas Alliance" (四海盟約), the theme for the 2011 China television drama All Men are Brothers, was broadcast. On 17 December, she performed at the Booey Lehoo Concert in Beijing with will.i.am and apl.de.ap from the Black Eyed Peas as well as with John Legend and Shunza.{{Cite web |title=Coco Lee performs on stage during Booey Lehoo Beijing Concert at... |url=https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/coco-lee-performs-on-stage-during-booey-lehoo-beijing-news-photo/136061666 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=Getty Images |date=18 December 2011 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162522/https://www.gettyimages.ca/detail/news-photo/coco-lee-performs-on-stage-during-booey-lehoo-beijing-news-photo/136061666 |url-status=live}} On 9 February 2012, she performed at the TRANS4M Boyle Heights benefit at Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, with will.i.am, apl.de.ap, and Taboo.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/backbeat/backbeat-stevie-wonder-brings-the-house-1006161952.story |title=Backbeat: Stevie Wonder Brings the House Down @ Will.I.Am's Grammy Charity Concert |magazine=BillboardBiz |date=10 February 2012 |access-date=21 February 2012 |archive-date=19 July 2012 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120719082427/http://www.billboard.biz/bbbiz/industry/backbeat/backbeat-stevie-wonder-brings-the-house-1006161952.story |url-status=dead}}

Her next album, {{ill|盛開|zh|盛開|lt=Illuminate}}, was released on 31 May 2013 by Universal Music. She was a judge on the 2015 version of Dancing with the Stars in China.

In 2016, Lee competed in the fourth season of the Chinese reality show I Am a Singer, where she admitted that losing her voice to bronchitis in 2014 had affected her singing ability. Regardless, she went on to win the competition, making her the first non-mainland Chinese singer to do so.{{cite web |url=http://news.ycwb.com/2016-04/09/content_21775010.htm |title=《我是歌手4》李玟夺歌王 结束后李玟想吃冰淇淋(图) |access-date=9 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160411231509/http://news.ycwb.com/2016-04/09/content_21775010.htm |archive-date=11 April 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/coco-lee-wins-i-am-a-singer-4-joey-yung-is-booted-off-amid-cries-of-ballot |title=CoCo Lee wins I Am a Singer 4, Joey Yung is booted off amid cries of ballot rigging |newspaper=The Straits Times | date=10 April 2016 |access-date=10 April 2016 |archive-date=12 April 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160412021327/http://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/entertainment/coco-lee-wins-i-am-a-singer-4-joey-yung-is-booted-off-amid-cries-of-ballot |url-status=live}} She later returned as a guest singer for two more seasons: in the fifth season, during the biennial concert, and in the sixth as a guest performer for Jessie J, the eventual winner of that season.{{cite news|title=Jessie J wins China's equivalent of The X Factor|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/jessie-j-wins-chinas-equivalent-x-factor/|access-date=17 April 2018|work=The Telegraph|date=17 April 2018|archive-date=25 November 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201125073214/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/music/news/jessie-j-wins-chinas-equivalent-x-factor/|url-status=live}} In 2020, she announced that she was going to re-record the Mandarin end-credits version of the song "Reflection" for the live adaptation of Mulan, as she had already done in 1998.{{cite web|last=迪士尼影業|date=20 August 2020|title=《花木蘭》經典主題曲〈自己〉配唱花絮|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoroqE_Kz9g&t=0s |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/eoroqE_Kz9g |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|website=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{cite web|title=YESASIA: Mulan Original Motion Picture Soundtrack (OST) (Taiwan Bonus Track Version) CD – Movie Soundtrack, Coco Lee, Universal Music Taiwan – Western / World Music – Free Shipping|url=https://www.yesasia.com/global/mulan-original-motion-picture-soundtrack-ost-taiwan-bonus-track-version/1095888258-0-0-0-en/info.html|access-date=8 December 2020|website=yesasia.com}}

In 2023, Lee was digitally animated using motion capture for the virtual reality interactive concert Millennium Realm (千禧之境) on the Pico VR video platform.{{cite news |url= https://www.toutiao.com/article/7184354932609483324/ |title= 李玟PICO VR演唱会再唱《宝莲灯》主题曲, 重现千禧年"回忆杀"! |publisher= Toutiao |author1= 扬扬不吃香菜 |date=3 January 2023 |access-date=23 November 2023 |archive-date=23 November 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231123090026/https://www.toutiao.com/article/7184354932609483324/?wid=1700730026624 |url-status= live }}

File:2000s Coco Lee and Bruce Rockowitz.jpg

Lee married Hong Kong-based Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz on 27 October 2011 in a Jewish ceremony.{{Cite news |last=Kiew |first=Chelsea |date=14 July 2020 |title=Singer Coco Lee's Weibo post talks about 'a broken heart' |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/singer-coco-lees-weibo-post-talks-about-a-broken-heart |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707065421/https://www.straitstimes.com/lifestyle/singer-coco-lees-weibo-post-talks-about-a-broken-heart |url-status=live}} The wedding included performances by Bruno Mars, Alicia Keys, and Ne-Yo.{{cite web|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1162654/1/.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120729164429/http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/entertainment/view/1162654/1/.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=29 July 2012 |title=CoCo Lee weds wealthy Canadian fiance, throws glitzy wedding bash |work=Channel NewsAsia |date=31 October 2011 |access-date=21 February 2012}}{{cite news |first=Tan Kee |last=Yun |title=Coco, you deserve only the best |date=31 October 2011 |work=The New Paper |location=Singapore |url=https://www.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20111030-307758.html |access-date=10 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714223201/http://news.asiaone.com/News/Latest+News/Showbiz/Story/A1Story20111030-307758.html |archive-date=14 July 2014 |url-status=live}} For her occasion, Lee recorded the song "I Just Wanna Marry U" (in both Chinese and English versions), which was released on 24 October 2011.{{cite web | title=李玟掀胖妹心酸史 「還可以」拚自然生 | website=Yahoo News | date=16 June 2016 | url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E6%8E%80%E8%83%96%E5%A6%B9%E5%BF%83%E9%85%B8%E5%8F%B2-%E9%82%84%E5%8F%AF%E4%BB%A5-%E6%8B%9A%E8%87%AA%E7%84%B6%E7%94%9F-160908215.html | language=zh | access-date=14 August 2023}} In March 2018, she mentioned in a brand event that she was undergoing IVF in New York.{{cite web | title=43歲李玟人工受孕 捱針抽卵子嗌好恐怖 | website=on.cc東網 | date=27 March 2018 | url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20180327/bkn-20180327232613287-0327_00862_001.html | language=zh | access-date=14 August 2023}}{{cite web | title=「我的妹妹李玟」: 得知老公出軌後馬上立遺囑, 二姐稱不善待李玟的人會有報應 | website=YouTube | date=3 November 2023 | publisher=Phoenix TV | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oyc2Y2TuHYo | access-date=5 November 2023}} She had no biological children but had two stepdaughters from her husband's previous marriage.{{Cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WUp8d0uWlDI |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/WUp8d0uWlDI| archive-date=12 December 2021 |url-status=live|title=我是歌手第4季抢鲜版 — 李玟金发碧眼俩女儿曝光 I AM A SINGER 4 【我是歌手官方频道】 | author=MGTV Music Channel | date=23 February 2016 | via=Youtube | access-date=14 July 2020}}{{cbignore}} Rockowitz is alleged to have cheated on Lee.{{Cite web |date=6 July 2023 |title=李玟離世{{pipe}}3度慘遭富商夫背叛 情人節曾暗示: 離開才是最好安排{{pipe}}壹蘋新聞網 |url=https://tw.nextapple.com/entertainment/20230706/C213FC136548A4F997AD6B78DF6FBC42 |website=Nextapple |language=zh-Hant-TW}}{{Cite web |date=7 January 2023 |title=李玟11年婚姻觸礁胞姐不滿有人放料 拒公開有原因: 善良的人都容易受到欺負 |url=https://www.singtaousa.com/4378346 |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=www.singtaousa.com |language=zh}} Reports stated the couple had separated before Lee died{{cite news | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/coco-lee-s-estranged-husband-bruce-rockowitz-breaks-his-silence-calls-her-his-beloved-wife | title=Coco Lee's estranged husband Bruce Rockowitz breaks his silence, calls her his 'beloved wife'| newspaper=The Straits Times| date=7 July 2023| last1=Sng| first1=Suzanne}}{{Cite web |title=Coco Lee's estranged husband faced insults from her fans at late singer's cremation service |url=https://cnalifestyle.channelnewsasia.com/entertainment/coco-lee-husband-bruce-rockowitz-insulted-cremation-service-367041 |access-date=27 September 2023 |website=CNA Lifestyle}} and were due to sign divorce papers in July 2023.{{cite web | title=李玟老公偷腥!原定七月離婚 友人: 疑似愛到極點才選擇輕生 | website=Yahoo News | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E8%80%81%E5%85%AC%E5%81%B7%E8%85%A5-%E5%8E%9F%E5%AE%9A%E4%B8%83%E6%9C%88%E9%9B%A2%E5%A9%9A-%E5%8F%8B%E4%BA%BA-%E7%96%91%E4%BC%BC%E6%84%9B%E5%88%B0%E6%A5%B5%E9%BB%9E%E6%89%8D%E9%81%B8%E6%93%87%E8%BC%95%E7%94%9F-085900128.html | language=zh-hant | access-date=17 August 2023}}{{cite news | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/coco-lees-estranged-husband-bruce-rockowitz-attends-memorial-service-daughters | title=Coco Lee's estranged husband Bruce Rockowitz attends memorial service with daughters}}

Lee was born with an abnormality in her left leg. At the age of two, she underwent surgery, which failed to correct the problem, causing her to rely more heavily on her right leg for most of her life.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Ruey Yan |date=9 March 2023 |title=Singer Coco Lee shares video of her learning to walk again after surgery |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/singer-coco-lee-shares-video-of-her-learning-to-walk-again-after-surgery |access-date=6 July 2023 |archive-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162338/https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/singer-coco-lee-shares-video-of-her-learning-to-walk-again-after-surgery |url-status=live }}

Lee received a diagnosis of depression in 2019.{{cite web | title=李玟輕生離世 終年48歲 胞姊李思林: 她不再受抑鬱症煎熬 – 20230706SHOWBIZ | website=明報OL網 | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://ol.mingpao.com/ldy/showbiz/news/20230706/1688581873521/ | language=zh-hant | access-date=1 September 2023}} Her sister stated that the condition had deteriorated drastically in the few months before Lee's death, though she had sought professional help.

Lee was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and had a tumor removed. In December, the singer reported her weight as 42 kg (92 lbs), sparking concerns for her health.{{cite web | last=Hoi-ying | first=Lo | title=Singer Coco Lee deserves official recognition in Hong Kong, sister says | website=South China Morning Post | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3226815/coco-lees-sister-calls-hong-kong-officially-recognise-singers-contributions-music-colleagues-and | access-date=24 September 2023}}{{cite web | title=李玟爆生前罹癌!好友哀悼心疼揭「默默抗癌內幕」二姊回應了 | website=民視新聞網 | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://www.ftvnews.com.tw/news/detail/2023706W0171/amp | language=zh-hant | access-date=24 September 2023}}{{cite news | title=【李玟逝世】生前與母合照曝光 密友公開李玟遺作錄音過程 | website=Now 新聞 | date=13 July 2023 | url=https://news.now.com/home/entertainment/player?newsId=524635 | language=zh-hant | access-date=24 September 2023}} On 8 March 2023, she disclosed on social media that she had had surgery on her pelvis and thigh in Hong Kong the previous month, after triggering an old leg injury during a dance rehearsal in October 2022. She shared videos of herself learning to walk again with the aid of a walker as well as a nurse. Lee had to take muscle relaxant medication after the surgery, an insider said.{{cite web | last=Mok | first=Danny | title=Hong Kong diva Coco Lee dies; 'her rays of light will last forever,' sisters say | website=South China Morning Post | date=5 July 2023 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3226686/popular-hong-kong-singer-songwriter-coco-lee-dies-aged-48 | access-date=5 November 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230706043143/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3226686/popular-hong-kong-singer-songwriter-coco-lee-dies-aged-48|archive-date=6 July 2023}}{{cite web | last=Tsang | first=Denise | title=Exclusive: Husband of late Hong Kong star Coco Lee speaks out after singer's fans confront him | website=South China Morning Post | date=1 August 2023 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3229649/husband-late-hong-kong-star-coco-lee-defends-himself-against-fan-attacks-cremation-service | access-date=25 September 2023|archive-url=https://archive.today/20230801141420/https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3229649/husband-late-hong-kong-star-coco-lee-defends-himself-against-fan-attacks-cremation-service|archive-date=1 August 2023}}

Lee attempted suicide on 29 June 2023.{{cite web | title=李玟生前「不只輕生過1次」 醒來第1句話嚇壞家人...Bruce沒探望 | website=ETtoday新聞雲 | date=3 November 2023 | url=https://star.ettoday.net/news/2615619 | language=zh | access-date=5 November 2023}}{{cite web | title= (獨家)李玟6月酒店輕生未遂 腥夫漠不關心「隔天飛夏威夷度假」 | website=ent.ltn.com.tw | date=9 August 2023 | url=https://ent.ltn.com.tw/news/breakingnews/4390548 | access-date=1 September 2023 | author1=自由時報電子報 }} She spent one night in a private hospital,{{cite web |date=9 August 2023 |title=李玟6月曾在酒店輕生未遂 Bruce照赴夏威夷原來有重大苦衷 |url=https://www.hk01.com/即時娛樂/928005/李玟6月曾在酒店輕生未遂-bruce照赴夏威夷原來有重大苦衷 |access-date=9 August 2023 |website=香港01 |language=zh-hant}} before moving to her sisters' house at the Peak.{{cite web | title=Coco Lee Had Attempted Suicide More Than Once – JayneStars.com | website=jaynestars.com | date=31 August 2023 | url=https://www.jaynestars.com/news/coco-lee-had-attempted-suicide-more-than-once/ | access-date=1 September 2023}} She made another suicide attempt on 2 July and was taken to the hospital,{{Cite web |last=Yeo |first=Shu Hui |date=6 July 2023 |title='Please give her a chance': Coco Lee's sister said mum refused to remove life support in hospital |url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/please-give-her-chance-coco-lee-death-sister-said-mum-refused-remove-life-support-hospital |access-date=6 September 2023 |website=AsiaOne}}{{cite magazine |last=Guzman |first=Chad de |date=6 July 2023 |title=CoCo Lee's Death Spotlights Mental Health Struggles in Hong Kong |url=https://time.com/6292440/coco-lee-death-suicide-hong-kong-mental-health/ |access-date=25 September 2023 |magazine=Time}} where she died three days later, on 5 July, at the age of 48.{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/pop-diva-coco-lee-dies-aged-48-says-family|title=Pop diva Coco Lee, who has been battling depression, dies at age 48|date=5 July 2023|work=The Straits Times|location=Singapore|access-date=5 July 2023|archive-date=7 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707174037/https://www.straitstimes.com/life/pop-diva-coco-lee-dies-aged-48-says-family|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://news.tvbs.com.tw/entertainment/2171112|title=快訊/李玟驚傳過世!享年48歲 親姊姊發文證實噩耗 TVBS新聞網 | language=zh-hant | website=News.tvbs.com.tw|access-date=5 July 2023|archive-date=5 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230705132701/https://news.tvbs.com.tw/entertainment/2171112|url-status=live}}{{cite web | title=【李玟離世】李玟二姊親述妹妹生死一刻 李思林為年邁母親感心痛【有片】 — 香港經濟日報 — 娛樂 — D230706 | website=香港經濟日報HKET | date=6 July 2023 | url=https://topick.hket.com/article/3563691/ | language=zh-hant | access-date=25 September 2023}} News of her death received significant attention in China, getting almost 1.4 billion views on Weibo in one day.{{Cite web |last1=Yeung |first1=Jennifer |last2=Hauser |first2=Jessie |date=5 July 2023 |title=CoCo Lee, iconic Hong Kong singer and 'Mulan' voice actress, dies at 48 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/05/entertainment/coco-lee-death/index.html |access-date=8 July 2023 |website=CNN |archive-date=8 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230708051707/https://www.cnn.com/2023/07/05/entertainment/coco-lee-death/index.html |url-status=live }}

Lee's family asked Hong Kong authorities to investigate her death, and an autopsy was requested to determine the cause.{{Cite web |title=李玟長眠武漢 天使雕像遺愛人間 李媽媽心如刀絞 指CoCo生前好痛苦 – 20231022 – 娛樂 |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/%e5%a8%9b%e6%a8%82/article/20231022/s00016/1697908124768/%e6%9d%8e%e7%8e%9f%e9%95%b7%e7%9c%a0%e6%ad%a6%e6%bc%a2-%e5%a4%a9%e4%bd%bf%e9%9b%95%e5%83%8f%e9%81%ba%e6%84%9b%e4%ba%ba%e9%96%93-%e6%9d%8e%e5%aa%bd%e5%aa%bd%e5%bf%83%e5%a6%82%e5%88%80%e7%b5%9e-%e6%8c%87coco%e7%94%9f%e5%89%8d%e5%a5%bd%e7%97%9b%e8%8b%a6 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=明報新聞網 – 每日明報 daily news |language=zh-hant}}{{Cite web |last=中時新聞網 |date=6 July 2023 |title=李玟追思會時間曝光 親姊: 要先等解剖官驗屍 – 娛樂 |url=https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20230706002838-260404?chdtv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162127/https://www.chinatimes.com/realtimenews/20230706002838-260404?chdtv |archive-date=7 July 2023 |access-date=6 July 2023 |website=中時新聞網 |language=zh-hant}}{{Cite web |last=寧于晨 |date=7 July 2023 |title=不是輕生! 李玟被爆「嘔吐物嗆入肺」窒息身亡 二姊再次回應了 |trans-title=Not suicide! Coco Lee reportedly suffocated due to object entering the lungs, replied the second sister |url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E4%B8%8D%E6%98%AF%E8%BC%95%E7%94%9F-%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E8%A2%AB%E7%88%86-%E5%98%94%E5%90%90%E7%89%A9%E5%97%86%E5%85%A5%E8%82%BA-%E7%AA%92%E6%81%AF%E8%BA%AB%E4%BA%A1-%E4%BA%8C%E5%A7%8A%E5%86%8D%E6%AC%A1%E5%9B%9E%E6%87%89%E4%BA%86-064321090.html |website=Yahoo News |language=zh-Hant-TW}}{{Update inline|date=April 2024}}

File:Coco Lee’s funeral 02.jpg

File:Hearse of Coco Lee leaving Hong Kong Funeral Home 02.jpg

Lee's sister Nancy has urged the government of Hong Kong to officially recognize the star's contributions.{{Cite web |last=Lo |first=Hoi-ying |date=6 July 2023 |title=Singer Coco Lee deserves official recognition in Hong Kong, sister says |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3226815/coco-lees-sister-calls-hong-kong-officially-recognise-singers-contributions-music-colleagues-and |website=South China Morning Post}} A vigil for Lee was held on 31 July at Hong Kong Funeral Home in North Point, with a public memorial service.{{cite web | url=

https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3228425/family-late-hong-kong-singer-coco-lee-appeals-fans-and-friends-donate-2-charities-instead-sending | title= Family of late Hong Kong singer Coco Lee appeals to fans and friends to donate to 2 charities instead of sending flowers to vigil| date= 21 July 2023}}{{cite news|url=https://www.am730.com.hk/娛樂/李玟coco逝世-追思會7-31全球直播-李思林盼fans陪妹妹走最後一後路-有片-/389916 | title=李玟Coco逝世 追思會731全球直播 李思林盼fans陪妹妹走最後一後路 | language=zh-hant}} There were eight pallbearers at the funeral, including Lee's brother-in-law, singer Jenny Tseng, and lyricist and music producer Chien Yao.{{cite web | title=Pallbearers for Coco Lee's funeral do not include her estranged husband | website=The Straits Times | date=27 July 2023 | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/pallbearers-for-coco-lee-s-funeral-do-not-include-her-estranged-husband | access-date=24 August 2023}}{{cite web | title=Weeping family, friends and fans send Coco Lee off to crematorium after last rites, Entertainment News | website=AsiaOne | date=1 August 2023 | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/weeping-family-friends-and-fans-send-coco-lee-crematorium-after-last-rites | access-date=24 August 2023}} A private funeral service was held on 1 August.

Rockowitz's name was missing from multiple announcements made by Lee's sisters. It was reported that towards the end of the 31 July service, Nancy became emotional when hugging a friend and was heard shouting repeatedly in Cantonese: "He took my sister away!" Carol, the eldest sister, was also heard shouting: "She's saying he caused my sister to die!" Their cries did not name any person and lasted for some time, before the audio was muted.{{cite news | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/coco-lees-sisters-break-down-memorial-service-shouting-someone-caused-my-sister-die | title=Coco Lee's sisters break down at memorial service, shouting someone 'caused my sister to die'}}{{cite news |url=https://news.mingpao.com/pns/娛樂/article/20230801/s00016/1690821730496/李玟設靈-李思林激動爆喊-佢害死咗我個妹 | title=李玟設靈 李思林激動爆喊: 佢害死咗我個妹 | language=zh-hant}}{{cite web | url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UBaj_3_jh44 | title=東張西望{{pipe}}華語樂壇「天后」李玟出殯, 親友隨靈柩送逝者最後一程, TVBUSA, 民生 | website=YouTube | date=August 2023 | language=zh-hant}} On 1 August, when asked to say something to Lee outside the crematorium, Rockowitz, who was being mobbed by the star's angry fans, said, "I love her. My whole life".{{cite news | url=https://www.setn.com/m/news.aspx?NewsID=1331938 | title=李玟老公Bruce險被圍毆!吐這句粉絲全怒暴動 哭喊攔車敲窗不讓走 | language=zh-hant}}{{cite news | url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/late-singer-coco-lee-s-estranged-husband-says-at-crematorium-he-loved-her | title=Late singer Coco Lee's estranged husband says at crematorium he loved her}} Rockowitz came under criticism after Lee's death, and he has sought to dispel various allegations against him.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Ruey Yan |date=15 August 2023 |title=Coco Lee's husband refutes talk that he did not care for her |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/coco-lee-s-husband-refutes-talk-that-he-did-not-care-for-her |issn=0585-3923}}

On 21 October 2023, Lee's ashes were buried at the Shimen Peak Memorial Park in Wuhan, China.{{cite web | last=Chan | first=Minnie | title=Hong Kong pop star Coco Lee laid to rest in central China's Wuhan | website=South China Morning Post | date=21 October 2023 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/money-wealth/article/3238760/hong-kong-pop-star-coco-lee-laid-rest-central-chinas-wuhan | archive-url=https://archive.today/20231023183011/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/money-wealth/article/3238760/hong-kong-pop-star-coco-lee-laid-rest-central-chinas-wuhan | access-date=23 October 2023 | archive-date=23 October 2023}} According to one of her sisters, it was their mother's wish that the ashes of Lee, who had not met her father when she was little, be placed next to his.{{Cite web |last=娛樂星聞 |date=22 October 2023 |title=李玟下葬武漢原因曝!「以另一種方式與父親相聚」 家屬將調查死因 {{!}} 娛樂星聞 |url=https://star.setn.com/news/1370849 |access-date=23 October 2023 |website=star.setn.com |language=zh-Hant}}

Lee was remembered by the New York Times as "a Chinese American singer and songwriter best known for performing an Oscar-nominated song in the hit film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon.{{Cite news |last=McCarthy |first=Lauren |date=5 July 2023 |title=Coco Lee, 'Crouching Tiger' and 'Mulan' Singer, Dies at 48 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/05/arts/music/coco-lee-dead.html |access-date=30 April 2024 |work=The New York Times |issn=0362-4331}}

{{See also|Sing! China#Controversies}}

On 17 August 2023, a nine-minute audio clip featuring Lee, a coach during season 7 of the show Sing! China, came to light. In the recording, she commented on her humiliation at the hands of the production team during the show's final episode, in October 2022. This humiliation followed her questioning of the competition format in September 2022.{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Ruey Yan |date=18 August 2023 |title=Late singer Coco Lee claimed she was mistreated on Sing! China: New video |work=The Straits Times |url=https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/late-singer-coco-lee-claimed-she-was-mistreated-on-sing-china-new-video |access-date=23 August 2023 |issn=0585-3923 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903184926/https://www.straitstimes.com/life/entertainment/late-singer-coco-lee-claimed-she-was-mistreated-on-sing-china-new-video |url-status=live}}

Lee, who was about to undergo surgery on her left leg, alleged that she was subjected to a sudden placement change during a performance with Wang Zepeng, a contestant on her team. Wang, who was supposed to accompany Lee onstage to assist her due to her fragile condition, had his back turned to her, causing Lee to stand alone and fall during their duet. She described this experience as "humiliating", especially since her health issues had been largely concealed from the public.{{cite web | last=Ip | first=Cyril | title='Humiliation' claims by late music icon Coco Lee rock top China TV talent show | website=South China Morning Post | date=23 August 2023 | url=https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3232038/humiliation-claims-late-pop-diva-coco-lee-hit-top-china-tv-talent-show-sparking-probe-and-wave | access-date=6 October 2023 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20231006083239/https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3232038/humiliation-claims-late-pop-diva-coco-lee-hit-top-china-tv-talent-show-sparking-probe-and-wave |archive-date=6 October 2023}}

Wang later supported Lee's claims by sharing screen captures of their private text messages, where Lee accused the director of intentionally undermining her. There was also a leaked video of a staff member on set attempting to remove Lee from the stage as she repeatedly said "don't touch me".

In the nine-minute audio clip, Lee stated that the production team threatened her, saying they would not give contestant Feige a chance to return to the stage unless Lee wrote a Weibo post; she complied to ensure Feige had an opportunity to showcase his talent.{{cite web | title='I was humiliated on stage': Late Coco Lee's rant about unfair treatment on Sing! China leaked, Entertainment News | website=AsiaOne | date=18 August 2023 | url=https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/i-was-humiliated-stage-late-coco-lees-rant-about-unfair-treatment-sing-china-leaked-audio-clip | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230921035046/https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/i-was-humiliated-stage-late-coco-lees-rant-about-unfair-treatment-sing-china-leaked-audio-clip | archive-date=21 September 2023 | url-status=live | access-date=6 October 2023}}

'Jammy' Li Jiajie, one of the contestants in season 8 of Sing! China (2023), agreed with Lee after the clip's leak.{{cite web | last1=Zhang | first1=Ruixin | last2=Koetse | first2=Manya | title=Leaked Audio Clip of Deceased Pop Star Coco Lee Denouncing 'Sing! China' Sparks Anger on Chinese Social Media | website=What's on Weibo | date=21 August 2023 | url=https://www.whatsonweibo.com/leaked-audio-clip-of-deceased-pop-star-coco-lee-denouncing-sing-china-sparks-anger-on-chinese-social-media/ | access-date=7 October 2023}} He said in his Weibo post that "the price of 500,000 yuan per seat... is certainly not a baseless rumor... the top ten places in the finals are all available for purchase". His posts were mysteriously removed, and Li later said that his allegations were made without basis.{{cite news |url=https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/931229/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E5%AD%B8%E5%93%A1%E7%82%BA%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E7%99%BC%E8%81%B2-%E6%8F%AD%E7%AF%80%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%91%E5%B9%95-50%E8%90%AC%E6%8F%9B%E5%90%8D%E6%AC%A1%E9%9D%9E%E7%A9%BA%E7%A9%B4%E4%BE%86%E9%A2%A8 |title=中國好聲音{{pipe}}學員為李玟發聲 揭節目黑幕: 50萬換名次非空穴來風 |date=18 August 2023 |agency=HK01(香港01) |accessdate=21 August 2023 |language=zh-hant |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903184927/https://www.hk01.com/%E5%8D%B3%E6%99%82%E5%A8%9B%E6%A8%82/931229/%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E5%AD%B8%E5%93%A1%E7%82%BA%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E7%99%BC%E8%81%B2-%E6%8F%AD%E7%AF%80%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%91%E5%B9%95-50%E8%90%AC%E6%8F%9B%E5%90%8D%E6%AC%A1%E9%9D%9E%E7%A9%BA%E7%A9%B4%E4%BE%86%E9%A2%A8 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=18 August 2023 |title=李玟疑被《好聲音》侮辱聲帶曝光 李思林: 事實在視頻裏面說了 |language=zh-hant |agency=Oriental Daily's News(東網) |url=https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20230818/bkn-20230818152854572-0818_00862_001.html |accessdate=20 August 2023 |archive-date=3 September 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903185436/https://hk.on.cc/hk/bkn/cnt/entertainment/20230818/bkn-20230818152854572-0818_00862_001.html |url-status=live }} People were surprised by the posts' removal and his "apologies". They left comments asking him if he was threatened.

The controversy led to a significant debate among netizens, with calls to boycott the show's sponsors. By 25 August 2023, the stock price of Star China Media, the parent company of Sing! China, plummeted by more than 50 percent, resulting in a loss of approximately $3 billion in value. On the same day (25 August), Zhejiang Satellite TV announced that the program had been briefly frozen from broadcasting, pending an investigation of the alleged mistreatment of Lee and other issues raised by netizens and viewers.{{cite web | title=STAR CM Once Plummets Almost 10%; 'The Voice of China' Broadcasting Frozen | website=AASTOCKS.COM | date=25 August 2023 | url=https://www.aastocks.com/share/news/aafn/NOW.1288691?lang=eng | access-date=25 August 2023 | archive-date=3 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903185959/http://www.aastocks.com/en/stocks/news/aafn-con/NOW.1288691/latest-news | url-status=live }}{{cite web | title=Female Winner Accused of Paying 30Mil to Win Reality Show; Netizens Name Likely Suspects | website=Hype MY | date=28 August 2023 | url=https://hype.my/2023/346408/female-winner-accused-of-paying-30mil-to-win-the-show-netizen-name-likely-suspects/ | access-date=19 October 2023}}{{cite web | title=《中國好聲音》宣布停播 節目母企星空華文股價再挫12%失守60元 (更新) | website=am730 | date=25 August 2023 | url=https://www.am730.com.hk/%E8%B2%A1%E7%B6%93/-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E5%AE%A3%E5%B8%83%E5%81%9C%E6%92%AD-%E7%AF%80%E7%9B%AE%E6%AF%8D%E4%BC%81%E6%98%9F%E7%A9%BA%E8%8F%AF%E6%96%87%E8%82%A1%E5%83%B9%E5%86%8D%E6%8C%AB12-%E5%A4%B1%E5%AE%8860%E5%85%83-%E6%9B%B4%E6%96%B0-/394878 | language=zh-hant | access-date=25 August 2023 | archive-date=3 September 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230903190005/https://www.am730.com.hk/%E8%B2%A1%E7%B6%93/-%E4%B8%AD%E5%9C%8B%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E5%AE%A3%E5%B8%83%E5%81%9C%E6%92%AD-%E7%AF%80%E7%9B%AE%E6%AF%8D%E4%BC%81%E6%98%9F%E7%A9%BA%E8%8F%AF%E6%96%87%E8%82%A1%E5%83%B9%E5%86%8D%E6%8C%AB12-%E5%A4%B1%E5%AE%8860%E5%85%83-%E6%9B%B4%E6%96%B0-/394878 | url-status=live }}

In September, Sing! China{{'}}s producer, Can Xing Media (a subsidiary of Star China Media), filed a suit against Lee's management company, Warner Music China (HK) Limited. This led to accusations of shamelessness by netizens.{{cite web | last=Looi | first=Sylvia | title='Sing! China' producer sues Coco Lee's management company for contract disputes | website='Sing! China' producer sues Coco Lee's management company for contract disputes | date=20 September 2023 | url=https://www.malaymail.com/news/showbiz/2023/09/20/sing-china-producer-sues-coco-lees-management-company-for-contract-disputes/91854 | access-date=19 October 2023}}{{cite web | title=《好聲音》製作組提告李玟經紀公司 案由曝光!網友看不下去開噴 | website=Yahoo News | date=23 September 2023 | url=https://tw.news.yahoo.com/%E5%A5%BD%E8%81%B2%E9%9F%B3-%E8%A3%BD%E4%BD%9C%E7%B5%84%E6%8F%90%E5%91%8A%E6%9D%8E%E7%8E%9F%E7%B6%93%E7%B4%80%E5%85%AC%E5%8F%B8-%E6%A1%88%E7%94%B1%E6%9B%9D%E5%85%89-%E7%B6%B2%E5%8F%8B%E7%9C%8B%E4%B8%8D%E4%B8%8B%E5%8E%BB%E9%96%8B%E5%99%B4-095055657.html | language=zh-hant | access-date=19 October 2023}}

{{Quote box

|width = 18em

|bgcolor = #E0B0FF

|quote = CoCo is ... 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!

We hope that everyone will not only miss Coco, but also share her bright smile, treat people with sincerity, convey kindness and love to everyone around us, and continue Coco's wish to let everyone around feel her love and happiness. Her rays of light will last forever.

|author = – Lee's sisters, when announcing the news of her death on Facebook and Instagram

|source = USA Today, SCMP{{cite web | title=CoCo Lee dead by suicide: 'Mulan' singer in Mandarin version was 48 | website=USA TODAY | date=5 Jul 2023 | url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/entertainment/celebrities/2023/07/05/coco-lee-hong-kong-singer-dies-48-suicide/70383842007/ | access-date=27 Aug 2023}}

}}

Lee is remembered by millennials who grew up during a time when Mandopop boomed and who enjoyed listening to her songs in English and Mandarin. She has been called the "Asian Mariah Carey" due to her impressive voice and dancing skills.{{cite web | last=Bashforth | first=Emily | title=Coco Lee dead: Singer-songwriter dies by suicide aged 48 | website=Metro | date=5 July 2023 | url=https://metro.co.uk/2023/07/05/coco-lee-dead-singer-songwriter-dies-by-suicide-aged-48-19075111/ | access-date=19 October 2023}} She was one of the first Asian singers to be widely recognized on both sides of the Pacific. Because of her multilingual and multicultural background, Lee has been compared to Ricky Martin. She has also been credited for breaking down international barriers and bridging the gap between East Asia and the West.

Lee was actively involved in the work of UNICEF as a youth ambassador, promoting children's rights and their well-being. She supported the Make-A-Wish Foundation, which grants children with critical illness their wishes. She was also an ambassador for the Organisation for World Peace in China, Cancer Fund's Pink Ambassador at Hong Kong's first breast cancer survivors' fashion show in 2016, and Youth AIDS ambassador at a global AIDS conference in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2004.{{cite news | url=https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/news-trends/article/3226790/remembering-coco-lee-5-reasons-mandopop-icon-will-never-be-forgotten-hong-kong-born-star-made | title=Remembering Coco Lee: 5 reasons the Mandopop icon will never be forgotten – the Hong Kong-born star made history as the first Chinese singer to break the US, supported Unicef and voiced Disney's Mulan}}

Lee was inspired by musicians such as Whitney Houston, Madonna, Michael Jackson, and Mariah Carey. Since techniques employed by R&B singers in English would change the pitch and meaning of words in Cantonese, she taught herself Mandarin, which allows for more tonal flexibility.

{{More citations needed section|date=June 2024}}

• List of best-selling albums in Taiwan

{{Reflist}}

• [https://h5.video.weibo.com/show/1034:5052353598914663 The Footprints] – In loving memory of Coco Lee ([https://portal.sina.com.hk/entertainment/weibosinaent/2024/07/05/894676/ mirror])
• [https://www.asiaone.com/entertainment/remembering-coco-lee-7-highlights-her-30-year-career-death Remembering Coco Lee: 7 highlights from her 30-year career]
• [https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/entertainment/celebrating-coco-lee Celebrating Coco Lee: Honouring the Hong Kong icon through 5 of her career-defining achievements]
• [https://hashtaglegend.com/culture/entertainment/stars-share-their-memories-of-coco-lee/ Stars share their memories of CoCo Lee]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20230821182052/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pP6W5Y1rnFU 《壹週刊》 第1263期 – 娛樂名人 香港女 李玟] (Cantonese) – Interview of Lee in 2014
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20230824045606/http://youtube.com/watch?v=qPMHACiQroo 蘋果人物 – 李玟淚訴 聽不清的母女情話] (Mandarin) – Interview of Lee in 2013, in which she cried when talking about her mother's hearing problems.
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6DMXDSkrRJk Interview With Coco Lee] (English) – Lee interviewed in Beijing soon after she won I am a Singer
• [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4UOBKPWTPY&list=PL48h0I4GwwzIdxKpVXwWrhF96yqkztell Media coverage of the death of Lee]

{{wikiquote}}

{{commons category|Coco Lee}}

• {{Official website|cocolee.com}}
• {{YouTube|channel=UCbsOWv8B8hVH8JxgJjmqc_A|CoCo Lee李玟}} | [https://www.youtube.com/@CoCoLeeShow/channels More]
• {{IMDb_name}}
• {{tcmdb name|id=1136081%7C0|name=Coco Lee}}
• {{Hkmdb_name}}
• {{discogs artist}}

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2016| after=Sandy Lam}}

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