Henry Huo


Henry Huo is a Chinese singer-songwriter and actor. He gained fame by placing in the top three in singing competition Asian Wave 《声动亚洲》 He became popular nationwide by winning the first season of Sing My Song, a competition for songwriters to sing their own compositions. His original 'Rolled-up Pearl Curtain' drew praise from both judges and audience alike. The song was awarded Song of the Year. 13 days after his win, Henry was asked to perform in the CCTV Chinese New Year Eve Gala, which was broadcast worldwide, thus cementing his position as China's newest composing prodigy. Meanwhile, Henry claimed the main prize in the Tianjin Satellite Channel Drama Contest Season 1 by playing a dan in the Peking Opera. He was awarded the title '2014 Drama King'.

Biography

Early life

Henry was born and raised in Shanghai, China. He also lived in Guangzhou and Shenyang for a period of time. His father, Feng Huo, is from Shenyang and his mother, Xiaoping Zhong is from Shanghai. Both were famous singers from whom he inherited his musical talent. His first language is Mandarin, but he also speaks the Shanghai dialect and English fluently. He sings in Mandarin, English, and Japanese.
Henry's mother quit her job to raise him. She was his first music teacher and took care of Henry throughout childhood. Henry expressed the deep bond between him and his mother in his introduction on Sing My Song. Mrs Huo loved the songs of Michael Jackson and Teresa Teng so much that Henry grew to be influenced by their music. He was also influenced by Cape No. 7 of Kousuke Atari and finally developed his own singing style. Henry is known for his crystal clear healing voice and vocal technique, similar to that of Hong Kong singer Anita Mui.

Musical journey

Henry started to learn piano at the age of 10 years and soon showed his affinity for music. He won the Individual Vocal Group Silver Award at the Shanghai Student Art Contest in 2004. In 2005, he placed third in the Middle School Group at the Shanghai 10th Youth Piano Contest.
In 2010, Henry was recommended by his college to participate in the Shanghai University "Zhiyin Cup" Piano Contest, where he won the Gold Award.
In 2011, Henry performed La campanella on piano for the University's New Year concert. The show was a huge success and made Henry popular on campus for his musical talent. In the same year, Henry was approached by the owner of Universal Music Group during a singing performance. Although he was soon signed by Universal Music Group, Henry stayed in SHU-UTS SILC Business School until he earned his bachelor's degree in Business Management.
In the summer of 2012, Henry finished within the top three in the Asian Wave music talent show, where he was awarded the Glory Star. His fame continued to grow from this first exposure.
In March 2014, Henry was crowned winner of Sing My Song, for which he composed and sang "Rolled-up Pearl Curtain". The song was so touching that judge Liu Huan shed tears the first time he heard it during Henry's audition. Soon after this song was first heard, Henry was recommended to perform again in 2014 CCTV Chinese New Year Eve Gala, which was broadcast worldwide, further expanding his fame.

Theater and drama

In 2014, Henry participated in Season 1 of Tianjin Satellite Channel's Drama Contest and played a dan role in the Peking Opera.
His performance included Qiānlǐ Zhī Wài, Yānhuā Yì Lěng, Měilì De Shénhuà, Wǒ Shì Huò Zūn, Fènghuáng Yú Fēi, Yīnwèi àiqíng, Zài Nà Táohuā Shèngkāi Dì Dìfāng, Shíjiān Dōu Dào Nǎ'er Qùle, and "Time To Say Goodbye".
His beautiful portrayal of women, his grace, clear voice, self-confidence, and humility were highly praised by professionals including Song Xiaochuan and Xiao Xiangyu. Henry won the contest and was hailed as The 2014 Drama King.
Later in the year, Peking Opera artist Méi Bǎojiǔ led the ballet of Méi Lán Fong to memorise the master in Beijing, China. On 9 December, Henry was invited to sing its theme song Huā yǎ chán which greatly enhanced the atmosphere of the performance.

Film

While Henry is known for his singing, he has also acted in films. In 2013, he played the role of a singer in the film Ashes to Ashes, 《从哪里来 到哪里去》. This is a film about children with reading disabilities and the singer turns out to be an angel at the end. He composed and sang the theme song "Duì Niǎo".

Full-house performance

On 25 October 2014, Henry Huo held his first full-house performance at the Nanjing Red Bull Unplugged Concert. He sang his famous first audition song and other traditional Chinese songs such as Huāxīn, Tiānyá gēnǚ, Mo Li Hua, Tào mǎ gān, and Teresa Teng's classic ballad "The Moon Represents My Heart".

Performance abroad

In 2015, Henry went to North America to sing at the Chinese New Year Gala. On the night of 12 February, he was invited to sing 《卷珠帘》 at the United Nations New York Headquarters where representatives from 47 countries watched the performance. On the night of 22 February, he sang three songs, including "Chuánqí" in the Orpheum Theater in Vancouver, which received wild applause from the audience.

Songs

Henry's original songs include 《You Are Everything to Me》, Xǐng, Juǎn Zhū Lián, Duì Niǎo, 《A Poem of Tang 唐诗》, and
Dōngfēng yǐn.
He published his first EP on 8 July 2014. The EP includes the theme song Qiàhǎo for the theatre drama, Qī duǒ liánhuā, and Juǎn Zhū Lián.
Henry is also the first singer of Yù fú chuándēng, Méiguī bǎolěi, and Huā yǎ chán.
The songs Huo sang in the Asian Wave included Lí Rén, Mo Li Hua, Only You, Fly Apart,
Wúyǔlúnbǐ dì měilì, Scarborough Fair, Chuánqí, Dàn Yuàn Rén Chángjiǔ, Wǒ Yuànyì, Wǒ De Chéng, Xǐng, and Jìdé.
In the 2014 Taiwan TV gala titled Matsu Light in My Heart, Henry sang Wǒ Qídài.

Ceremonies

On 9 April 2014, Henry sang the theme song So Young from the film So Young at the Fifth Annual Awards of Directors Association ceremony.

Major awards

Henry's first album was published on 25 April 2015 and people can pre-order on TMall online stores.
This album includes Juǎn Zhū Lián, Bù sòng tiē, Dié, The poet written for the Tang, Mùmián, Qiàhǎo, Méiguī bǎolěi, Huā yǎ chán, Qī duǒ liánhuā, and piano version Juǎn Zhū Lián.