Hong Kong star Andy Lau has finally acknowledge his relationship with long term Malaysian girlfriend Carol Chu with their high profile appearance at Hong Kong International Airport on Tuesday night.
The couple has kept their relationship in secrecy for 24 years; though it’s probably the worst kept celebrity secret in history as the public have long linked the duo as a couple.
Amazingly the media hadn’t manage to publish a single photo of them together all these years, not until they were caught having lunch in February 2009.
The joy was however marred by the fact that the couple was returning from Chu’s father funeral in Malaysia. The late senior Chu passed away a week earlier, with hordes of reporters flooding the funeral in hope of capturing the star’s photo, but the star remained elusive.
Andy suffered serious publish backslash in the saga; his refusal to acknowledge the relationship has always been controversial… but never before had the public been so one-sided criticising the star in this matter.
I can understand Andy’s intention to keep himself out of the spotlight and gave the deceased a final journey in peace; but it’s obviously a wrong call… as the funeral turned out to be circus like in the end (sorry to say that, but it did seem so), which could be avoided if Andy had acknowledged the relationship properly shortly after the death and requested for privacy.
As notorious as the media could be, most of them do know to show a little respect in mourning period provided they got what they wanted. Public figures should understand the more they hide, the more curiosity will arise, and the paparazzi will be more eager to dig up those exclusive materials.
Not sure if Carol Chu would care about the recognition; but for the general public (minus some hardcore fans)… it’s a long overdue acknowledgement which she deserves. Better late than never, best wishes for the couple, and my condolences to the Chu family.
[update] The couple was registered as husband and wife in Las Vegas in June 2008, admitted Andy. The star however denied rumours that they have any kids, but are trying to have one.
