Taiwanese singer Lin Yu-chun takes U.S. by storm

PRESS RELEASE

Government Information Office
April 27, 2010

Taiwanese singer Lin Yu-chun takes U.S. by storm

Lin Yu-chun, a Taiwanese singer who has become an overnight sensation thanks to his cover of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You,” appeared earlier this month on popular U.S. talk shows “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” and “Lopez Tonight.” During the shows, he performed “Saving All My Love for You,” “Total Eclipse of the Heart” and “I will Always Love You.” The audience applauded his delicate, resounding voice and carefree performance, while hosts Ellen DeGeneres and George Lopez praised his incredible vocal talent. According to Lin, the most rewarding part of his trip was to shine the spotlight on Taiwan. Many people in the United States, he said, greeted him on the street saying, “Hi, Taiwan boy.”

Nicknamed “Little Fatty” for his stout figure, Lin, 23, has enjoyed singing since childhood. Because of this passion, he worked in a music store following graduation from college. He has participated in a number of singing contests. His best showing came in 2009 when he was declared champion in the vocalist category at National Chengchi University’s Golden Melody Cup.

In October 2009, Lin started voice lessons at the A-list Talent Academy, which was founded by acclaimed TV producer Wang Wei-chung. His unique figure and extraordinary delivery earned him three appearances on the TV talent show “One Million Star,” where he performed the challenging “Amazing Grace” as well as a spirited rendition of Whitney Houston’s “ I Will Always Love You.” An astonished panel of judges dubbed him “Taiwan’s Susan Boyle.”

Since video clips of Lin’s extraordinary performance in the TV competition were uploaded to YouTube, more than three million people have watched them. Internet viewers have since dubbed Lin “a male Whitney Houston.” Lin said that he has been flattered by all the sudden attention. His idols are Susan Boyle and Paul Potts, two winners of the British TV talent show “Britain’s Got Talent.” Their courageous pursuit of their dreams has served as a great inspiration, the young singer shared.

Lin dedicated his rendition of “I Will Always Love You” to his grandmother, who raised him. Memories of his childhood with his grandmother remain fresh in his mind. He remembers her taking him for rides on her scooter, her salted porridge and rice dumplings and the tears that streamed down her face when it was time for him to move out. His being able to have such opportunities onstage is because of her support, Lin said, and he ascribes his success to her. His greatest wish now is to build upon his accomplishments and have his own works published.

Lin’s outstanding performance has also been commented on by foreign media. An article on the Yahoo! International Web site published on April 7 praised the Taipei native’s singing. That Lin could deliver a pitch-perfect rendition of the much-loved Whitney Houston tune is all the more amazing given that English is not his mother tongue. Meanwhile, an April 8 report on the Web site of the Daily Mail, a British newspaper, concluded that Lin was ready to take Ms. Boyle’s crown as the year’s most unlikely music star.

Please visit Taiwan Today for related stories: 1. Taiwan’s Susan Boyle wows US audiences (April 22, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=100169&CtNode=436

2. Global media pursue Taiwan soprano (April 12, 2010)

http://www.taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=98319&CtNode=436