Opening hearts

Prior to collaborating with Gong on the performance of Hua Hai, Maria found herself in a stressful situation of self-doubt due to her Chinese language level. Learning Chinese songs within a short time frame was a major challenge.

"At that point, Gong stepped in with unwavering patience, meticulously teaching me Chinese, word by word, and explained the meaning of the lyrics for me," recalls Maria.

Gong says: "I could sense the anxiety of some foreign participants like Maria. However, within the nurturing ambience of sisterhood and the ethos of mutual support that permeated the program, there are always sisters who come to extend a helping hand to their foreign counterparts, enabling them to integrate into the collective and overcome language barriers."

For established singer Gong, participating in music shows is nothing new. However, her previous experiences mostly revolved around solo performances. This time, in a collaborative setting, she has had to embrace the role of harmonizer.

"I need to learn to put aside my individuality and prioritize the cohesion within the team," she remarks.

Gong believes that the portrayal of mutual appreciation and support among women in the program, coupled with their unwavering determination to overcome hurdles and deliver wonderful performances, will inspire viewers.

"This will empower them to confront all the challenges life throws at them with courage and resilience," she says.

Gong herself has also undergone unexpected transformations within this supportive environment.

In one episode of the show, when Maria, struggling with confidence in her own performance, quietly began to shed tears, Gong mustered the courage to open up about her lifelong inner trauma — a deep-seated belief that she was not beautiful.

"I always despised the color pink, as I associated it with being a pretty girl. My color is red, a symbol of power," she confided to Maria.

In the process of baring their scars to one another despite the language barrier, these women found solace and healing.

Through tears, fragmented English, and body language, they comforted each other and gained confidence and strength together.

Regarding the touching moment, Gong explains that: "Seeing the other participants, all of them beautiful and with great figures, I couldn't help but feel inadequate about my own looks. Maria, in particular, with her sweet appearance and impressive singing and dancing skills, seemed like a perfect fit for the show. However, to my surprise, even she experienced moments of self-doubt. It was in that very moment that I mustered the bravery to confront my own insecurities about my physical appearance."

After forging this behind-the-scenes bond, the two female singers, one aged 48 and the other 31, hailing from different countries and showcasing distinct styles, took the stage for their duet in resplendent pink attire.

Contact the writer at xingwen@chinadaily.com.cn