Gigi Lai

Gigi Lai, born on October 1, 1971, is a renowned Hong Kong actress, singer, and businesswoman. She was born in Hong Kong into a family with a deep background in the entertainment industry. Her grandfather, Lai Man-wai, was a celebrated screenwriter and director known as the "Father of Hong Kong Cinema," and her grandmother, Lam Chu-chu, was Hong Kong's first-generation film star. During her childhood, Gigi's family experienced financial hardship; her father, Lai Chu, suffered from meningitis which left him deaf, with only 20-30% of his hearing and reduced eyesight. After her great-grandmother Lam Chu-chu passed away, the family’s financial situation continued to worsen, mainly supported by her mother working as a truck driver to make ends meet.

Her name was given by her father, inspired by her infant state at birth. Her English name "Gigi" was given by her uncle, meaning it closely resembles the ending sound of her Chinese name "Zi," and it is derived from French. In 2017, Gigi changed her name to Lai Jia.

She began working in the entertainment industry at a very young age, appearing in advertisements at just 2 years old. At 14, she enrolled at Pui Ching Middle School in Hong Kong. She was discovered by TVB artist management after an encounter with Sam Hui at her father’s gym and auditioned for New Art City Productions. Her first onscreen appearance earned her a temporary actor’s fee of 300 HKD per day, and she subsequently signed with New Art City.

Gigi Lai’s career in entertainment started in 1985 when she starred in the comedy film "Happy Ghost Goes to Summer Vacation," which garnered significant attention. In 1986, she appeared in multiple films, marking the beginning of her film career. She took a break from the industry in 1987 to complete her studies at Pui Ching Middle School and later studied dance at the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. After graduating in 1990 and at the invitation of Gordon Lam, she starred in the action film "Dragon in the Prison." The same year, she signed with TVB, gradually developing her television career.

Her TV debut came in 1991 with the drama "Raging Sea, Lonely Goose," followed by roles in many series including "Sky of the Dragon," "Tian Lun," "Wu Zun Shaolin," "Legend of the Condor Heroes," and "Beauty at the Crossroads." Known for her versatility in portraying different characters, she won the "My Favourite Actress" award at the TVB Anniversary Awards. Her performance in the 2004 palace drama "The Queen of Desires" reached peak ratings, receiving high praise.

Besides acting, Gigi Lai also pursued singing. In 1993, she released her first Mandarin album "If I Really Love You," which won her multiple music awards. She has a substantial filmography, participating in many action, comedy, and horror films from the 1990s onwards.

In 2008, to focus on her family and her brother's beauty business, Gigi announced her retirement from the entertainment industry. Since then, she concentrated on her business ventures, successfully taking her brother’s skincare company, CosMax, public on the Hong Kong Growth Enterprise Market in 2017. She married in Australia in 2009 and has three daughters, leading a stable family life.

Gigi Lai is also actively involved in charity work, frequently participating in charitable activities, donations for education, and supporting children and the elderly. She has received numerous awards, including the Best Acting Performance Award at the New York Film Festival and several local prestigious awards, establishing herself as an important figure in Hong Kong’s entertainment industry.