Olivia Ong is a Singaporean singer and actress. Most of her works are in English, but she has recorded songs in Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese and Japanese. In her early career, she focused on singing jazz. Now she has moved on to Mandarin pop.
Early life Upon her completion of O-Level examinations at Damai Secondary School in Singapore, Ong moved to Japan to further her studies as well as her career as a solo artist. Ong, by then likened to Seiko Matsuda, had won a singing contest and was signed to Japanese recording company S2S Pte Ltd at the age of 15. Her music influences include Nat King Cole and Nina Simone.
Career Ong formed the J-pop group Mirai in Singapore at the age of 15 with two other Singaporean girls. Their first single, "Open Up Your Mind", was one of the theme songs in the Japanese anime Gensoumaden Saiyuki.
Her début A Girl Meets Bossa Nova was released when she was 19. Tracks include a reinterpretation Frank Sinatra's hits such as Antônio Carlos Jobim's "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars", among other jazz and pop numbers.
On 17 November 2004, Olivia sang Majulah Singapura at the 2006 FIFA World Cup Asian qualifying rounds (Japan vs Singapore)AFC second round – Japan vs Singapore at Saitama Stadium 2002 before the kick-off.
In 2009, Ong was signed to Taiwanese record company HIM Music and became a big hit back in Singapore after she sang the theme song of the Peranakan-themed drama serial, The Little Nyonya. Her first record under HIM Music was released on 5 March 2010, entitled Olivia. In 2011, Ong recorded a duet, "最後一眼" (Just One Look), with label mate Aaron Yan of Fahrenheit, which was released in his debut EP The Next Me. HIM International Music The Next Me album info 25 March 2011. Retrieved 13 April 2011
In 2011, Ong also appeared in the film It's a Great, Great World (大世界) as Ah Min, a young fashion photographer who stumbled across a set of old photographs taken by her late grandmother (Yvonne Lim). She took the photographs to her grandmother's old friend, Ah Meng (Chew Chor Meng) who might have had connections to the people in the photographs. Ah Meng then proceeds to tell 4 different stories based on each photograph, each telling a story from different generations.
In 2012, Ong has been appointed Music Ambassador of the Global Chinese Music Awards, the second Singaporean artiste to be appointed the role after Joi Chua. In the same year, she also sang the 2012 National Day Parade theme song, "Love at First Light".
Ong appeared on the Mediacorp drama Crescendo in 2015 where she was cast as a singer Alixia. She may also be releasing a new album.
In 2023, Ong performed the 2023 National Day Parade theme song, "Shine Your Light", alongside 53A and ShiggaShay.
Discography
Studio albums Date of releaseTitleAlternate titlesRemarks24 March 2005A Girl Meets Bossanova 26 October 2005Precious Stones 9 August 2006Tamarillo 22 November 2006A Girl Meets Bossanova 2 6 July 2007Fall in Love With 21 November 2007Touch in the Sky 20 March 2008Kiss in the Air 5 March 2010 Olivia CD 11 May 2010 SACD 1 November 2010Just for You 22 July 2011Romance 17 May 2013Waiting等等
Compilations and live albums Date of releaseTitle (English)20 August 2008Best of Olivia11 August 2010夏夜晚風Live影音專輯
Singles Date of releaseTitleAlternate titlesRemarks27 September 2023Azure 光影
As lead singer YearTitleName of seriesRemarks2008 如燕 The Little Nyonya Opening Theme Song2012 Love at First Light (Feat. Natanya Tan) National Day Parade 2012 Official Theme Song2015 梦里家园 The Journey: Our Homeland Opening Theme Song2015 梦想起飞 Crescendo Sub-theme Song2023Shine Your Light (feat 53A, ShiggaShay)National Day Parade 2023Official Theme Song
Awards and nominations YearAward 2011KKBOX Digital Music Charts Awards [International Album Charts] – "Olivia" [International Album Charts] – "夏夜晚風Summer Night LIVE" [International Single Charts] – "You and Me" Top 10 Foreign Album in China, "Olivia" Yahoo! Singapore 9 Youth award Singapore Hit Awards 2011, Best Local Artiste Award 201217th Compass Awards Presentation 2012, Top Local English Pop Song Award (You and Me) Global Chinese Music Awards 2012 Top 20 Hits of the Year(海枯石烂) Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Singapore) 2013Nominated for Best Southeast Asian Act(MTV Europe Music Awards) Singapore Hit Awards 2013 Outstanding Regional Artiste Award (Singapore)
Star Awards Year Award Nominated work Result 2009 Best Theme Song The Little Nyonya 2013 Best Theme Song Yours Fatefully 2016 Best Theme Song The Journey: Our Homeland
References
External links
Olivia Ong personal website Olivia Ong Weibo Microblog