CHINA- Sammi Cheng blurred the line between big-budget musical and blockbuster pop event at her recent concerts in Hong Kong and at Taipei Arena.

Melding multimedia images with futuristic fashion, the 38-year-old Cantopop diva's show seamlessly integrated images and a range of musical styles, from electro to retro rock, into an enthralling dramatic spectacle.

She will play more shows as part of her Sammi Love Mi World Tour in Shanghai and Guangzhou.

The Hong Kong native entered the entertainment industry at the age of 16 through an annual TV singing contest, the New Talent Singing Awards, in 1988, and soon after was offered a record contract.

Cheng had a number of hits but was not much differentiated from all the other female singers in Hong Kong, so she decided to make some changes. She dyed her hair orange, lost weight and squeezed into skinny costumes and flirted with her fans.

Big Revenge, her fourth Cantonese album, was released in 1994 and included her biggest hit, Ding Dong. Two years later, she released her first Mandarin album, Worth It, which gained her numerous best female singer awards across Hong Kong, Taiwan and the mainland. Her albums have sold more than 10 million copies.

She also expanded her career into acting. Films such as Love on a Diet, Infernal Affairs, and Lady Cop & Papa Crook have made her regular a nominee at film festivals. Her role in 2005's Everlasting Regret won her a nomination for Best Actress award at the 62nd Venice International Film Festival.

The pop diva once said in an interview that she cannot stop working due to the high pressure from the entertainment industry in Hong Kong.

"I have to keep on acting, singing, dancing, now that new stars are appearing every day," Cheng said. She also said that since she entered showbiz, she has never had a rich meal.

"I have to control my diet now that I need to look good in front of the camera. You can look at my concert costumes, which are all zero size," she once said. "But it's my job and I love it."

The superstar took a near three-year break after 2005, disappearing from the spotlight and giving herself time to rest.

She said she studied painting, writing novels and became a Christian.

When she came back in early June with her latest album Faith, her army of devotees were dazzled.

-China Daily/Asia News Network