Over the last few weeks, the team at KEE magazine was deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of the multi-talented Colette Koo. Actor, personality, bar/club owner/director, social staple, entertainer, celebrity (the good kind) and so much more, she was an indefatigable spirit that finally succumbed to cancer at the defining age of 50.
Few knew about her inner battles as she waged them privately and in good cheer. For many unsuspecting, the news of her life interrupted was a shock, to say the least.
She had done so much for so many people that tributes and anecdotal tales are echoing across the island, a chorus of well-wishers that have much to say with sincerity, kindness and love. The same of which can be said of her; sincere, kind and loving.
Joining the bandwagon of folks with a folk tale on her, we have our own voice to add to the oral history of Collette.
A few years ago, for this very magazine, we had a thematic shoot where we were looking for an apt, musical location for a grand background to host three afro-coiffed divas in the style of Dreamgirls. In a culture glutted with “What’s in it for me?”, we did the usual rigmarole of PR exercises and calling in favours from a lengthy rolla-desk of contacts. The signs were not good, especially the steep dollar ones, as it was the year of tightened budgets and unstrung purse-strings. While a certain club down Sheung Wan wanted $25,000 for location cost, others kept hankering on for more and more... and more.
We ran into Miss Congeniality herself as she was harpooning across the crowded streets of Hollywood Road with her distinctive strut. Having just exited finds as she made her way to drop, Colette asked, “Why so glum, Rama lama ding dong?” (Er, she had a way with words too!).
When told of the logistic nightmare, she slapped us awake into reality, “Do it at drop! I’ll keep it open on the weekend, can you be out by 6?”
“Sure.”
We shook on it. Well, air-kissed on it, and off we went our merry way. No questions asked, no pecuniary demands made, no drama, just good karma.
Days later, a steamy, eight-hour long shoot with multiple models and wardrobe occurred, and the images came out much to our satisfaction. But what we remember best is that unquestionable generosity and understanding that made the images glow more than the on-set lighting. Collette had arranged her staff to open the place early, left us the bar, open access to everything, and asked us no questions.
Colette’s life is a long list of publicised achievements but there are many unsung anecdotes – of greater or lesser extent - like the above that’ll inspire her legend further. So many random, ordinary acts of kindness by an extraordinary person. So much good will, her passing will be interlocked with the dual words untimely and unfair.
A clink of the signature watermelon martini, m’love. we at KEE chose to salute & toast your living and loving memory.
Cheers.
She had done so much for so many people that tributes and anecdotal tales are echoing across the island, a chorus of well-wishers that have much to say with sincerity, kindness and love. The same of which can be said of her; sincere, kind and loving.
Joining the bandwagon of folks with a folk tale on her, we have our own voice to add to the oral history of Collette.
A few years ago, for this very magazine, we had a thematic shoot where we were looking for an apt, musical location for a grand background to host three afro-coiffed divas in the style of Dreamgirls. In a culture glutted with “What’s in it for me?”, we did the usual rigmarole of PR exercises and calling in favours from a lengthy rolla-desk of contacts. The signs were not good, especially the steep dollar ones, as it was the year of tightened budgets and unstrung purse-strings. While a certain club down Sheung Wan wanted $25,000 for location cost, others kept hankering on for more and more... and more.
We ran into Miss Congeniality herself as she was harpooning across the crowded streets of Hollywood Road with her distinctive strut. Having just exited finds as she made her way to drop, Colette asked, “Why so glum, Rama lama ding dong?” (Er, she had a way with words too!).
When told of the logistic nightmare, she slapped us awake into reality, “Do it at drop! I’ll keep it open on the weekend, can you be out by 6?”
“Sure.”
We shook on it. Well, air-kissed on it, and off we went our merry way. No questions asked, no pecuniary demands made, no drama, just good karma.
Days later, a steamy, eight-hour long shoot with multiple models and wardrobe occurred, and the images came out much to our satisfaction. But what we remember best is that unquestionable generosity and understanding that made the images glow more than the on-set lighting. Collette had arranged her staff to open the place early, left us the bar, open access to everything, and asked us no questions.
Colette’s life is a long list of publicised achievements but there are many unsung anecdotes – of greater or lesser extent - like the above that’ll inspire her legend further. So many random, ordinary acts of kindness by an extraordinary person. So much good will, her passing will be interlocked with the dual words untimely and unfair.
A clink of the signature watermelon martini, m’love. we at KEE chose to salute & toast your living and loving memory.
Cheers.
Words: P. Ramakrishnan.
Image: Courtesy of Christof Van der Stichele
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