Princess Ai
It’s easy to dismiss PRINCESS AI as yet another aspiring songstress with a cutesy moniker, but this 31-year-old, real name TAI AILING, is much more than that. For starters, she’s got one of the more powerful singing voices in the business, and secondly, she’s a real princess in her native indigenous tribe of Paiwan.
“My Chinese name is Ailing, so that’s where the ‘Ai’ comes from,” Princess Ai shared in a recent interview. “And I’m a princess among the Paiwan people, so my friends started calling me that and it stuck. I really like the ‘Ai’ in my name so I decided on Princess Ai. It’s a little embarrassing, actually.”
With four albums to her name, her latest being this year’s Love Sign, Princess Ai is no greenhorn when it comes to the music industry. But as she reveals, she has no intentions of resting on her laurels just yet.
You released your third album Angel Wings last year and now you’re releasing Love Sign. Why did you decide to release another album so soon?
Last year’s Angel Wings was actually my first album with my current label and the results were pretty good. I was really pleased with the response so the label suggested I release another album this year. Besides, while I was preparing for Angel Wings, I was also already collecting songs for this album. The preparation time for this album has actually been quite long even though it may not seem that way because of how soon I released it after the last one.
Yes, because your first two albums were in 2002 and 2003, and then you were quiet for five years before Angel Wings in 2008.
That’s right, and I didn’t want to wait any longer for my fourth album [laughs]!
This album has a very interesting concept. It’s divided into three chapters, so to speak. Can you tell us a little bit more about that?
The main theme of this album is love. It basically represents the different stages of a romantic relationship, from when a couple first decides to break up, to the second stage of after you actually break up, to the third stage of when one of the parties wants to get back together. This album is about the experiences people go through during those stages in a relationship and I think everybody will be able to relate to that.
Did you draw on your personal experiences to record this album?
Yes, because when I was recording this album, I was actually going through a breakup. At the time, I really put all my emotions and feelings into these songs.
So you’re single now?
Yes, I’m single and available [laughs]. You can print that.
You’ve actually been around for a while. Has the industry tired you out yet?
No. In fact, the more I do this, the more excited I become. I did feel tired during the first two albums, because at the time I was with a different label and I wasn’t entirely comfortable with the way things were going. I wasn’t very happy at the time, except when I was singing; I wasn’t happy doing my promotional work and all that. And it wasn’t until I joined my current label and started releasing albums that I found myself becoming happier and really starting to enjoy my work. Whether I’m performing, singing or travelling – even when I’m travelling to all these different countries – I’m happy.
What are your future plans?
I’m taking it one step at a time. I’ve just released two albums and I’m taking it slow. Right now I’m just preparing for my next album.
So soon?
Yes. Actually, before we record an album, we spend a lot of time collecting songs that may be suitable for it. I also hope, because I’m from an indigenous tribe, that I’ll be able to incorporate some of my native elements into my next album, be it an entire song or just parts of a song.
Do you write your own songs?
I’m still practising. After this album, I hope to be able to write some of my own songs. But I have to be good enough before I can do it [laughs].
What were you most pleased about recording this album?
I’m very happy with the music. I really like it; it’s very close to the kind of music I love. I personally prefer emotional songs that pack a bit of power in them, so I’m quite pleased with how this album has turned out.
You’ve mentioned that you’re a fan of JENNIFER LOPEZ. Why?
I actually like a lot of singers – Jennifer Lopez, ALICIA KEYS, CHRISTINA AGUILERA... – all the singers with really powerful voices. I like their voices and I also like the way they carry themselves. I’m not one of those people who like pretty girls; I like artistes for their personality and their attitude.
How would you describe your style?
I think the most important thing is to wear clothes that suit me. I’m not very tall and a lot of the clothes that are trendy don’t necessarily suit me. I think the most important thing is to present myself well; I don’t necessarily have to be trendy.
You worked with WANG LEEHOM back in 2003. What was the experience like?
At the time I’d never met him but I was a huge fan. We worked on a song called ‘Passion’ together, which was the theme song for the 13th Golden Melody Awards. He left a very, very good impression. I really liked him at the time; I thought he was good-looking and very talented. Being a major star, I expected him to have some airs, you know, but he didn’t have a single air about him at all. He was very meticulous, kind and wasn’t arrogant despite his fame. It’s really funny, the first time I saw him, because I was such a huge fan, I went right up to him and gave him a big hug. And my management at the time was like, ‘Why did you behave like that?’ And I was like, ‘Because I’m a really big fan!’ So now every time I see him, I give him a hug [laughs]. And he remembers me; he’s got an amazing memory.
