Chinese singing star pays Saipan a visit

Chinese singing sensation Xue Zhi Qian, who is widely known in Asia by his English name Jacky Xue, recently explored the beauty of Saipan for a five-day project.

The 23-year-old product of China’s version of American Idol was on the island to shoot his third Photo Book that his recording company, Universal Records, is producing.

Jacky’s agent and some media representatives from Shanghai joined him for an interview held at the World Café of the Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan yesterday afternoon.

Clad all in white, Jacky was conspicuously a celebrity, with his carefully tousled hair and his toothpaste-commercial smile always flashing for the photographers.

“I love this country. It’s very beautiful here,” said Jacky, adding that he feels the people on the island are lucky to have all the time to dive and swim. “Not like me, always busy, busy, and busy with work,” he quipped.

With no experience on how fast one can get a sunburn here, he complained of getting burned by the Pacific sun. He said this was his first time to get a tan. “In China, this is the darkest I could get,” he said, adding that he couldn’t sleep the night before due to the sunburn.

Jacky, together with 17 crewmembers, flew to Saipan last Tuesday and left the island for Shanghai early this morning.

Jacky’s self-titled CD raked in millions in sales when it soared to the number one spot, reaching over 200,000 copies sold. He is now considered the highest selling new recording artist all over China.

He recalled how he faced over 50,000 contestants during the My Show competition, China’s version of American Idol. He said he spent three long months to stay in the game and fortunately he landed in the top four spot of the competition. Although he didn’t win the grand title, he is now reaping the attention of fans more than anyone else in the competition.

His first album was only released last June.

“I love music and I love to sing to people,” he said, adding that where he is right now has been his dream. He said he used to sing in KTVs only but his life changed when he joined the competition.

Right now, though, all he wants is to get more sleep and relax. He said he’d choose to come back to Saipan and enjoy more of the islands when he gets the chance.

Jacky said his typical day in Shanghai is truly hectic, with interviews, TV guest appearances and other functions.

“I would eat lunch, a hamburger inside the car,” he said. He usually reaches home after 11pm and wake up at 6am for another round in the celebrity circuit.