After a decade of vocal cord damage, Charlene Choi reveals she was once diagnosed with a “mild stroke,” sparking concern

(Hong Kong, April 15) Hong Kong star Charlene Choi, known as Ah Sa, rose to fame in 2001 as part of the duo Twins alongside Gillian Chung. Recently, she opened up in an interview about one of the most challenging periods of her career, revealing that she once suffered severe vocal cord damage that left her unable to sing—and was even suspected by a doctor to have experienced a mild stroke.

Appearing on the online talk show hosted by Tiger Hu, Choi explained that her vocal cords are structurally different from most people’s. When producing certain sounds, they function unevenly, making vocal control more difficult.

During the worst phase of her condition, she had to rely on injections just to perform and sought medical help extensively. One specialist even questioned whether she had suffered a stroke, leaving her shocked. While she believed she would have noticed such a serious condition, the doctor suggested it might have been a mild case.

Beyond the physical strain, the emotional toll was immense. Choi admitted that after performances, she would often break down in tears in her hotel room, feeling guilty that she could not deliver her best to audiences who had paid to see her.

She also expressed concern for her partner Gillian Chung, who had to take on additional vocal responsibilities during that time. “The parts I couldn’t sing, she had to cover,” Choi said, adding to her sense of guilt.

The vocal cord issue affected her for at least a decade. Although her voice has since improved significantly, the psychological shadow remains.

Hu praised Choi for her dedication, noting that even at a mature stage in her career, she was willing to retrain with vocal coaches and challenge herself again—demonstrating true professionalism and commitment to her craft.