Gillian Chung, one of several prominent Hong Kong stars caught
up in a nude photo scandal, Monday apologized for the incident that
has sparked arrests and a media frenzy.
Hong Kong female pop duo Twins attend the
press conference Monday, Feb 11 after a New Year's Party with their
fans. Gillian Chung (L) apologizes in her first public comments for
the incident that has sparked arrests and a media frenzy. [Photo:
TUNGSTAR]
Chung, 27, previously known for her squeaky-clean image, made
her eagerly awaited statement before a mass of reporters and video
cameras flanked by Charlene Choi, her singing partner in the female
pop duo Twins.
"I admit that I was naive and very silly, but I've grown up
now," Chung said, without explicitly saying she was in the
photos.
"I want to thank my company, family and friends for their
concern," she said in her first public comments since the nude
images trickled onto the Internet a fortnight ago.
Hong Kong female pop duo Twins attend the
press conference Monday, Feb 11 after a New Year's Party with their
fans. Gillian Chung (L) apologizes in her first public comments for
the incident that has sparked arrests and a media frenzy. [Photo:
TUNGSTAR]
The photographs, which appear to show Chung naked in bed with
male star Edison Chen, and suggestive images purportedly of around
half a dozen other celebrities, including actress Cecilia Cheung,
were recently posted online, provoking blanket tabloid coverage in
celebrity-mad Hong Kong.
Edison Chen, 27, apologized last week in a video statement, and
called the postings of the photographs "intentionally hurtful and
malicious."
The scandal, which involved several local celebrities, has
dominated Hong Kong headlines in the past two weeks. Other nude
photos involved actress Cecilia Cheung and five other women.
Gillian Chung (R) puts on natural
performance on the party Monday, Feb 11, seemingly not affected by
the nude photo incident that has sparked arrests and a media
frenzy. [Photo: TUNGSTAR]
Chung's management company, Emperor Entertainment Group, said
Monday it would not comment on the photos again. It earlier said
the photos had been digitally altered.
Last week, Hong Kong police said officers had found the source
of the photos, seizing more than 1,300 obscene pictures involving
six women. A 23-year-old man was arrested in connection with the
case.
Chen, who reportedly left Hong Kong soon after the photos were
leaked, also apologized in a video statement last week. He urged
the public to delete the photos and not to forward them.
A police investigation has so far led to eight arrests for
infringement of obscene material laws, and the seizure of more than
1,000 images.
"As for the influence this incident has had on society, I
apologize. In the coming days I will continue to focus on my work
and face up to my life," Chung added, amid cheers.
(Shanghai Daily February 12, 2008)
