Wanting Qu

Wanting Qu (Chinese: 曲婉婷; pinyin: Qū Wǎntíng; Pe̍h-ōe-jī: khek óan têng; born October 10, 1983) simply known as Wanting, is a Chinese-born singer-songwriter and pianist who is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.[2]

This is a Chinese name; the family name is Qu.
Wanting Qu
Born
曲婉婷
Qu Wan-ting

(1983-10-10) October 10, 1983
Harbin, Heilongjiang, China
Alma materSeneca College
OccupationVocalist, musician, songwriter, lyricist
Years active2010–present
Partner(s)Gregor Robertson (2015–2017)[1]
Musical career
GenresSoul, pop rock, synthpop, R&B, C-pop
InstrumentsPiano, guitar, electronic keyboard
LabelsNettwerk, Universal Music China

Career

Wanting Qu was born and raised in Harbin, Heilongjiang, China, where her mother Zhang Mingjie worked as a city official. She moved to Canada at 16 to study, eventually earning a degree in international business, and relocated to Vancouver where she began her musical career.[3]


In 2009, she became the first Chinese artist to be signed to the Nettwerk label;[4] she is managed by Terry McBride.[5] Her first album, Everything in the World (produced by Winston Hauschild and jointly released with Universal Music China in 2012)[6] went platinum in China within its first week on sale,[7] and her singles "You Exist in My Song" and "Drenched" were used in the soundtrack for the Hong Kong film Love in the Buff.[8][9]

In 2013, she became the first ever tourism ambassador for Vancouver, with the intention of raising Canada's profile among destinations for Chinese visitors.[10]

Qu appeared on the 2013 CCTV New Year's Gala, where she performed "You Exist in My Song".[11]

The song "Star in You" from the album Everything in the World was featured in Degrassi: The Next Generation in the episode "Bitter Sweet Symphony, Part II" on February 22, 2013.[12]

On October 26, 2015, while making the third album; Qu released her new English single "Love Birds" on her YouTube channel.

Personal life

From January 2015 to May 2017, Qu was dating Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson.[13] The relationship drew criticism from some as Robertson was still married to Amy Robertson (although the two separated).[14][15]

On April 24, 2015, Qu's mother Zhang Mingjie was arrested in China due to allegations of corruption, embezzlement (of roughly $55 million) and abuse of power, claiming that she had participated in the "sale of state properties below market value for personal profit". Qu's mother had previously been relieved from her duties related to the city’s urban construction and renewal activities in the fall of 2014. Qu did not publicly comment on the matter, but uploaded an "enigmatic" photo to her Weibo account urging "patience". She later posted a message on Instagram saying "I want nothing but love, health and happiness for her. She's my mother. I'm her only child. No one can replace her in my heart. Despite our differences, we share the same blood." Both Qu's record label and Mayor Robertson's office declined to comment, with Robertson's director of communications saying "That's not something that this office would be commenting on".[16][17] In 2016, it is reported that Qu's mother is facing the death penalty in China.[18]

On March 9, 2018, Qu gave an update on her mother's case, saying that she believed Chinese law was "perfect and righteous" and that she had faith there would be a positive outcome. She added that no judgement had been issued since the trial's end in 2016. Qu's comments regarding her mother being "her hero" have caused controversy in China, with some accusing Qu of overlooking the seriousness of the case and refusing to believe her mother could be guilty.[19][20]

Discography

Albums
  • Everything In The World (2012.4.24)
  • Say The Words (2013.10.18)
  • LLL (2017.10.27)

Extended plays
  • Love I Am (2009.4.25)
  • Drenched (2012.4.24)

Singles
  • "如何是好" (2011.5.11)
  • "Life Is Like A Song" (2012.3.13)
  • "Drenched" (2012.4.24)
  • "You Exist In My Song" (我的歌声里, 2012.4.24)
  • "Love Ocean" (爱的海洋,2013.9.11)
  • "We Under The Sunshine" (阳光下的我们,2013.9.29)
  • "When It's Lonely" (我为你歌唱,2013.10.9)
  • "The Courage To Love" (爱的勇气,2014.7.24)
  • "Love Birds" (2015.10.2)
  • "Best Plan" (最好的安排,2016.7.18)
  • "Your Girl" (2016.7.22)
  • "On The Edge" (2016.11.28)
  • "Moon and Back (JordanXL Remix)" (2017.3.10)
  • "Kissing Paradise" (2017.6.23)
  • You Can't Hurt Me Anymore (2018)[21]

Filmography
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes
2014 Old Boys: The Way of the Dragon Female bartender

Awards

Global Chinese music awards

Qu has won three Global Chinese Music Awards.[22]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012Wanting QuBest NewcomerWon
Outstanding Regional Artist Award (Beijing)Won
"You Exist in My Song"Best SongWon

Chinese music awards

Qu has won four Chinese Music Awards.[23]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012Wanting QuBest New ArtistWon
Best New Original ArtistWon
Best Music ComposerWon
"You Exist in My Song"Best SongWon

Music Times Awards

Qu has won one Music Times Award.[24]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2012Everything in the WorldBest Album of the YearWon

References
  1. Rankin, Eric. "Mother of Vancouver mayor's girlfriend could face death penalty in China". CBC. Retrieved September 14, 2016.
  2. Chinese pop singer Qu Wanting's pursuit of success at China Central Television; by Stanley Lee; published September 13, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  3. Vancouver-based Wanting Qu starts North American tour at Northwest Asian Weekly; published October 15, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  4. INTERVIEW: Chinese-born, Vancouver-based singer-songwriter Wanting Qu at Misunderrated; by Jessie Lau, Jaime Chu, and Sherlock Lam Giang; published April 17, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  5. A bright future for Qu Wanting at China Daily, by Chen Nan; published August 24, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  6. Wanting: the most popular artist you've never heard of, at CBC.ca, by Brad Frenette; published October 16, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  7. Vancouver singer-songwriter Wanting goes platinum in China at the Vancouver Sun; published July 18, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  8. A mountain of fun at Global Times, by Li Yuting; published August 14, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  9. On an express train to stardom at China Daily, by Chen Nan; published August 10, 2012; retrieved October 19, 2012
  10. Lee, Jeff. "Chinese singer-songwriter Wanting Qu new Vancouver tourism ambassador". Vancouver Sun. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  11. Mackinnon, Mark. "Celine Dion to headline China's big televised new-year gala". The Globe And Mail.
  12. "Degrassi Season 12 Episode 32 February 22 2013 "Bitter Sweet Symphony (2)"". TuneFind.
  13. "Mayor Gregor Robertson, singer Wanting Qu exchange Valentine's Day wishes on Weibo". Vancouver Sun. February 17, 2015. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  14. "Chinese pop star Wanting Qu, dating Vancouver's married mayor, says she believes in 'commitment of marriage'". Scmp.com.
  15. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson, pop star Wanting Qu have broken up, Vancouversun.com
  16. "Mother of Wanting Qu, pop star girlfriend of Vancouver's mayor, is arrested for corruption in China".
  17. O'Neil, ,Matthew Robinson and Peter. "Tough to get information on arrest of Wanting Qu's mother: mayor".
  18. "Wanting Qu's Mother Facing Death Penalty In China". July 27, 2016.
  19. Young, Ian (March 9, 2018). "Pop star Wanting Qu issues update on mother's death-penalty case, declaring Chinese law 'perfect and righteous'". South China Morning Post. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  20. Macdonald, Nancy (August 3, 2016). "Gregor Robertson, his pop-star girlfriend and a corruption trial". Maclean's. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  21. "You Can't Hurt Me Anymore - Wanting Qu". Tencent Music (in Chinese). Retrieved March 15, 2019.
  22. "Global Chinese Music Awards 2012 Winners List unveiled". XinMSN. Archived from the original on October 13, 2013. Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  23. "第20屆中歌榜頒獎典禮獲獎名單". Retrieved March 28, 2013.
  24. "曲婉婷EXO抢占风云榜舞台 海内外势力正面交锋". Retrieved March 28, 2013.
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