Actor Donnie Yen's daughter, Jasmine, 19, launches singing career: 'It's my passion'
Jasmine Yen's debut album 'tbh' is a kaleidoscope of pop versatility.
Striking a balance in life may be as simple as carving out time regularly to indulge in an activity of your choice. Yahoo Shopping chats with personalities who share their passion for a sport or wellness activity they enjoy, which helps them take on the world with zeal. This monthly series will inspire you to find an interest that will add that sparkle to your life.
Action star Donnie Yen's daughter, Jasmine Yen, 19, is carving her own path as she enters the entertainment industry fresh as a singer. Following her announcement of her signing to RCA Records Greater China, a division of Sony Music Entertainment (SME) in late July, along with the release of her first single "idk", the eager performer unveils her debut album 'tbh' which consists of eight songs.
Jasmine's debut album 'tbh' is a kaleidoscope of pop versatility. From the enthralling ballad "it's not u it's me", to the sensual "tempo" to the upbeat dance numbers "idk" and "tbh", her vocals effortlessly float over impeccable production and ear-wormy melodies.
Raised in Hong Kong, Jasmine began nurturing her talent at a young age, starting to compose when she was only seven years old. To date, she has written over 70 original songs, including 30 during the pandemic. Through her music, she hopes to inspire a generation of bold and confident girls.
We got to chat with Jasmine over a Zoom call recently, and found out more about her love for dancing and singing at a very young age.
At home, it gets really loud because my brother loves the piano. My dad also really loves the piano. So it's a very loud, musical house.Jasmine Yen
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What is the one sport, fitness or wellness trend you love, and how did you get started?
Jasmine Yen: Actually dancing and singing; I loved them around the same time. I think dance is definitely like a self-expression and it also comes with performing a lot. So for me, dance is like a performance and for me to express myself. Ever since I was younger. I've always been very shy. And so the way I like to let out my feelings - when I don't know how to say it with words – I'd always like songwriting and I'd always dance. I've definitely tried a lot of different types of dance.
When I was younger, I tried ballet. I wish I continued but I didn't. And when I was around seven, I just loved the elegance of Latin dance. So I did Latin dance when I was younger for a few years and I loved it! The outfits, the performance, the way they move – I've always loved it and admired it. Later on, when I was like 14, maybe 15, I think I started getting into jazz-funk.
What are its benefits, and what do you love about it?
It's definitely a creative freedom, for sure. 1,000 per cent for me. There are two types of ways I like to use singing and dancing. So the first way is, when it's hard for me to express myself or to communicate, I would definitely put in a song and feel the music. Feel however my body wants to express.
At the same time, I also really love to create stories and I love to become different characters. So that's kind of my favourite thing. So a lot of songs on my album are actually created stories because I just love to explore different emotions. And that's exactly what I do for dance too. When I perform, it feels like I've become a different character. Like I'm acting or performing. That's what I really love about it.
How long do you spend practising in the studio?
Hmm, it really depends on what I have to do. Honestly, I would sing every single day. There's not a day that I would not be singing, or practising. There's always a moment to practise and especially when I'm at home. At home, it gets really loud because my brother loves the piano. My dad also really loves the piano. So it's a very loud, musical house.
When you don't feel like going out and you feel like resting, you really gotta listen to your body.Jasmine Yen
That's so fun and lively! What would your go-to karaoke song be?
Oh, Aretha Franklin's (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman. When I went to Berklee College of Music, we'd do a lot of jam sessions and I would meet a lot of different people for the first time and I would always sing A Natural Woman. And so my friends would always make fun of me like, if they hear Aretha Franklin, they kind of go, 'Oh, Jasmine it's your song. Your Aretha Franklin's A Natural Woman (laughs).
Since you've entered the entertainment industry – and it can be soul-draining – was there any point you wanted to give up? How did you bounce back?
Honestly, I've never (given up) as I'm still a new artist. So while I haven't really experienced you know, really big ups and downs, I've never wanted to quit or give up because I love what I do. Music is my passion and so is performing. It's my passion. It's just something I've always been dedicated to and in love with. So it's honestly not too difficult for me because I really just love it.
Please share one thing you learned from this sports activity or what you wish others to discover.
I think for singing and dancing, it could be something to work on for yourself. At the same time, you can also connect with so many people. I think that's the beauty. I love going to group dance classes because you can feel the energy with everyone you know, hyping each other up, but at the same time, you're looking at yourself in the mirror and you're trying to self-improve.
The other day, I was on my phone, like a lot of people do. And saw this, like, a video that (tennis player) Venus Williams was talking and I wrote down the quotes. I like to remember quotes that I really align with. I remember Venus said, discipline is freedom and you learn to love discipline. I forgot exactly what she said. But I just remember that and that just really stuck with me for a while. Although I love to sing and dance, for my debut performance in Singapore, in order to train for that I made sure I did HIIT workouts every day. If it wasn't one hour every day, I had dance lessons. So every day I would not skip them. So I thought, it's just discipline over motivation, you know?
Listen to tbh by Jasmine Yen now.
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What gear/tools/attire do you need or wear when engaging in the sport or wellness activity?
For me, I don't think I have a specific brand actually. Honestly, whatever outfit that's easy to move in and comfortable. Like, a lot of times when I exercise I don't even wear sportswear. I kind of just wear home clothes and I would just go on a run.
What does your self-care routine look like?
It just reminded me of my song, it says, 'With you, I never could say no.' And I think I really resonate with that a lot of the time. I'm a if you're happy then I'm happy kind-of person. So I'm always like, 'Oh, yeah, sure, it's okay.' Like, whatever is fine. But you know, at the end of the day, sometimes you have to say no, in order to take care of yourself. When you don't feel like going out and you feel like resting, you really gotta listen to your body.
Do you like journaling?
Oh, yeah, for sure. I think that's what got me into songwriting because I just started journaling for a very long time and I'd much prefer journaling than writing stuff on my phone.
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Lululemon Dance Studio Mid-Rise Cropped Pant
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Are your parents supportive of your current journey?
I'm really lucky, they didn't give me pressure and not really a lot of input. They kind of, you know, I'm still young. At the time when I was even younger, they were kind of like, I'm still young, I'm still figuring out what I want to do in life. With time, they really saw my dedication and passion for music. They hear my songs and the way I sing every single day and they've seen me perform too.
I'm really grateful to have the opportunity to be able to record my songs, meet so many musicians and work on music together. And so my album is coming out this Friday (1 September). I'm really excited because I've had these songs with me for a while now and I'm finally able to share this very soon.
I do have Chinese ballads along the way, which is very new, but not in this album, but it'll be out soon. I really love to perform because I think it's the best way to connect with the audience and interact with the audience. So hopefully, I get to do more performances.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
So the album is called 'tbh', and it means to be honest. Like I said before, it's hard for me to express and a lot of the times I'm always like, 'you go first.' So to be honest, it's kind of like being confident in your own thoughts, your own vision, your own taste and in my own creative imagination for songwriting and stuff. I just wanted to express my confidence in exploring different emotions, and the album definitely represents a 19-year-old girl.
I hope everyone can listen to my album. Although it represents a 19-year-old girl, there are different genres for sure. And hopefully, it can accommodate whatever emotions that you're feeling because there's a song for every emotion.
Listen to tbh by Jasmine Yen now.
