Hong Kong entertainment mogul Charles Heung recently attracted public attention after revealing that actress Cecilia Cheung struggled with depression in 2002 due to work pressure and relationship problems. At the time, Cheung was considered a goddaughter figure to Charles Heung and his wife Tiffany Chen, who reportedly supported her both personally and professionally. According to Heung, the couple helped Cheung procure two high-quality film scripts in hopes of helping her rebuild her confidence and revive her career during her difficult period.
Cecilia Cheung’s darkest period and the love triangle that shook the world of Hong Kong entertainment
With the support of her mentors and her determination, Cheung eventually rose to fame, winning the title of Best Actress at the Hong Kong Film Awards and becoming one of the youngest actresses to achieve this honor for a significant period. Following Heung’s revelation, netizens revisited Cheung’s past and linked his mental health issues to the highly publicized love triangle involving Cheung, Nicholas Tse and Faye Wong during the early 2000s.
According to reports, the situation began in 2000, when rumors of an affair between Faye Wong and Nicholas Tse surfaced shortly after Wong’s divorce from rock musician Dou Wei. Despite public scrutiny over their 11-year age gap, the couple confirmed their relationship at a celebration event for actor Tony Leung Chiu-wai. Their romance became widely known, with the couple reportedly even getting matching butterfly tattoos and Tse composing the song Jade butterfly as a romantic gesture towards Wong.
However, their relationship soon ran into difficulties, and Cheung’s appearance in Tse’s life further intensified tensions. The two developed romantic feelings while working together, with Cheung reportedly publicly expressing his strong affection for Tse. Media reports at the time suggested that Tse appeared torn between Wong, an older and highly respected diva, and Cheung, who was widely known for her youthful charm and popularity.
Towards the end of 2002, Wong and Tse reportedly reconciled and were said to be preparing for marriage. This period was described as extremely difficult for Cheung, who faced emotional difficulties and setbacks in his career. She publicly criticized Tse during a television appearance and was later seen frequenting bars and displaying confrontational behavior towards paparazzi, actions which reportedly damaged her public image and led to accusations of unprofessional conduct.
From emotional collapse to career recovery and the consequences of love and loss
Reports suggested that this phase coincided with Cheung’s struggle with depression, which was reportedly made worse by the emotional turmoil surrounding his relationship with Tse. Fortunately, with the guidance of Charles Heung and Tiffany Chen, Cheung secured significant career opportunities that helped her regain her momentum and ultimately achieve award-winning success.
The dynamics of the relationship changed again in late 2003, when Wong and Tse separated. Wong later married actor Li Yapeng, while Tse proposed to Cheung. Tse reportedly wrote a love song for Cheung and publicly declared his deep commitment to their relationship, even amid rumors that their star signs were incompatible.
Cheung was said to be determined to marry Tse despite strong opposition from Tiffany Chen. Reports stated that Chen had warned Cheung that she would be removed from the company if she proceeded with the wedding. Cheung ultimately chose to continue the relationship, leading to disputes and the termination of his contract with Chen’s company.
Cheung and Tse married but later divorced in 2012 after six years, citing personality differences. However, many observers believed that the split was heavily influenced by a major photography scandal that rocked the entertainment industry at the time.
After the divorce, Cheung raised their two children largely alone, while Tse eventually reunited with Wong after her divorce. Although Tse provided financial support, he was criticized for his limited involvement in parenting, with one of their children reportedly stating that their father rarely spent time with them. Currently, Tse and Wong remain together, while Cheung has won public praise for successfully raising her children. However, recent reports that Cheung wrote a 12-page will detailing the distribution of assets for his children have raised concerns among fans.
Sources: kenh14
