May Chan Ka-kai (Chinese: 陳嘉佳, born 29 May 1985) is a Hong Kong television actress currently under Television Broadcasts Limited (TVB) management. Chan also goes by her nickname Siu Po (小寶), which means "small treasure" or "precious" in Chinese. Chan has a plus-size physique and is often cast in comedic roles as a gluttonous girl or the girl trying to get a guy. She first gained recognition playing the role "Mo Siu-man (毛小曼)" in TVB's 2013 drama "Inbound Troubles 老表，你好嘢！".[1]
May Chan 陳嘉佳 | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | 29 May 1985 | ||||||||||
| Occupation | Actress | ||||||||||
| Years active | 2012–present | ||||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 陳嘉佳 | ||||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 陈嘉佳 | ||||||||||
| |||||||||||
| Musical career | |||||||||||
| Also known as | Siu Po (小寶) Sai Sai Lup (細細粒) | ||||||||||
| Origin | Hong Kong | ||||||||||
| Website | Official weibo page | ||||||||||
Biography
editMay Chan was born on May 29, 1985, in Shanghai, China. She is an only child. At the age of two, she and her family emigrated to Hong Kong. Chan has a teaching certificate in piano; as she was not very good academically, her mother suggested she take up an instrument when she was 11 years old. She used her skills in piano to earn a living part-time as a piano teacher during her college years. Chan has had weight issue her entire life; this was due to uncontrollable excessive eating.[2] Exceeding over 200 pounds, she had spent a summer on a strict diet slimming down to 140 pounds, but ended up gaining the weight back.[3]
Career
editPreviously Chan worked a regular office desk job in Kwun Tong, Kowloon. In 2009 she had a very minor role in the film "Short of Love 矮仔多情", During filming she became acquainted with the lead actor Wong Cho-lam and the two kept in touch. Chan spent the next few years continuing acting part-time playing minor roles in films and TVB dramas. Wong later recommended Chan to TVB producer Wong Wai Sing when casting for Inbound Troubles, which Wong was also a writer. Chan character "Little Tiny" Mo Siu-man, cute and cheerful personality in the drama was well received which lead to her first acting award nomination.[4] She was nominated in the best supporting actress category at the 2013 TVB Awards Presentation and soon TVB offered her more acting roles.
Chan had a small role in Dayo Wong's 2013 drama Bounty Lady, though she only appeared in a few episodes starring in the role Judy Ha Ming Chu, a village chief daughter looking for a man, it was enough for her to stand out with audiences praising her comedic acting.[5]
Chan collaborated with Wong Cho-lam again in 2014 when he took over the production of Gilded Chopsticks . She was cast in a supporting role playing Siu To, the personal maid of Nancy Wu's character Nin Yeuk-bik, the role was enough for her in gaining more exposure to TVB audiences. Also later that year Chan participated in the direct sequel to Inbound Troubles, Come On, Cousin. which Wong Cho-lam is also a writer. Chan played Viviene Chow Lai Man, a masseuse who also works as a supermarket cashier.
Personal life
editShe is close friends with Wong Cho-lam. She is usually cast in projects he produces.
Due to her weight issue, Chan stated that into her adult years, she has never dated.[6]
Chan has vowed to remain a virgin until she is married.[7]
Chan's first ever kiss on the lips with a male was given to her Come On, Cousin co-star Bob Lam since the two played a couple in the drama.[8]
Filmography
editTelevision dramas
edit| Year | English Title | Chinese Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | My Better Half | 老公萬歲 | Massage parlor Staff | |
| 2012 | Divas in Distress | 巴不得媽媽... | Overweight female | |
| 2013 | Inbound Troubles | 老表，你好嘢！ | "Little Tiny" Mo Siu-man | Nominated – TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress |
| The Day of Days | 初五啟市錄 | Housewife | ||
| Always and Ever | 情逆三世緣 | Overweight wife | ||
| Bounty Lady | My盛Lady | Judy Ha Ming Chu | ||
| Coffee Cat Mama | 貓屎媽媽 | Tong Fei Fei | ||
| 2014 | Gilded Chopsticks | 食為奴 | Siu To | |
| Black Heart White Soul | 忠奸人 | Lau Miu | ||
| Come On, Cousin | 老表，你好hea | Viviene Chow Lai Man | ||
| 2016 | Come With Me | 性在有情 | Tong Tim Tim | Premiered on myTV SUPER |
| 2017 | Destination Nowhere | 迷 | Cheung Fei (妃妃) | |
| Filming | Good Morning, Boss | 波士早晨 |
Films
edit| Year | English title | Chinese title | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Kidnap | 綁架 | Lau Him |
| 2009 | Short of Love | 矮仔多情 | Film extra |
| 2011 | MicroSex Office | 潮性辦公室 | Minibus passenger |
| Hong Kong Ghost Stories | 猛鬼愛情故事 | Amy | |
| 2012 | All's Well, Ends Well 2012 | 八星抱喜 | Book club member |
| Natural Born Lovers | 天生愛情狂 | Film extra | |
| Romancing in Thin Air | 高海拔之戀II | Radio station exec | |
| 2014 | From Vegas to Macau | 賭城風雲 | Ken's cousin |
| Delete My Love | Delete愛人 | Romantic | |
| Don't Go Breaking My Heart 2 | 單身男女2 | Chiu Hong Hei | |
| 2015 | Lucky Star 2015 | 吉星高照2015 | |
| 2016 | From Vegas to Macau III | 賭城風雲III | Ken's cousin |
Music video appearances
edit| Year | Song Title | Details | Video |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Abnormally Normal (愈來愈正常) |
|
Video on YouTube |
Publications
edit| Author | May Chan 陳嘉佳 (Siu Po 小寶) |
|---|---|
| Genre | Biography |
| Published | 21 July 2013 |
| Publication place | Hong Kong |
| Media type | Print paperback |
| Pages | 160 |
| ISBN | 9789888157082 |
* 21 July 2013 : Little Tiny, You Are Good (細細粒，你好嘢) - ISBN 9789888157082 - Author: May Chan 陳嘉佳 (Siu Po 小寶) – Publisher: Open Book Net Publishing 青春文化
- A self written autobiography, Chan details her life as a Hong Kong artiste, her early years and the prejudice she often faces for being plus-size. The title of the book is in reference of drama Inbound Troubles Chinese title and her character Mo Siu-man, her breakout role.[9]
Awards and nominations
edit| Year | Award | Category | Work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | TVB Anniversary Awards | TVB Anniversary Award for Best Supporting Actress | Inbound Troubles | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ [1] Introducing the Next Cute Goddess: "Inbound Troubles" May Chan. Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [2] May Chan Does Not Mind Others Talking About Her Weight. Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [3] May Chan Plans to Lose 120 Pounds in Weight. Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [4] 2013 TVB Anniversary Awards: Official Nominations Revealed. Retrieved July 20, 2015
- ^ [5] May Chan Stands Out in "Bounty Lady". Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [6] May Chan: "I Want to Lose Weight. I Want a Boyfriend!". Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [7] May Chan Doesn't Mind Being a 40-Year-Old Virgin. Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [8] May Chan Gives First Kiss to Bob Lam. Retrieved July 17, 2015
- ^ [9] Sai Sai Lup, You Are Good book details. Retrieved July 17, 2015