Celebrated global pop icon Jackson Wang concluded a revealing two-part interview on Hong Kong’s Chih-Shan’s Second Date with Jackson Wang late Thursday evening (30th), offering audiences an intimate glimpse into the high costs of international superstardom, from extreme diet regimens to deep-seated family concerns. The final episode, filmed in Macau, moved beyond his charismatic stage persona to explore his demanding life as a creative director and performer.
Wang, who conceptualizes his global tours, discussed the physical and mental toll of achieving his visionary stage aesthetics. His mother shared a deeply emotional reaction to seeing him perform daredevil high-wire stunts. Recalling his childhood experience with similar stunts, she expressed profound anxiety, acknowledging the inherent risk—even in small movements—involved in aerial work. “When I see him dangling [on the wire], I remember he had to do the same thing when he was little,” she said through tears. “Your perspective and mine are different. Even without complex movements, there is risk, whether with the harness or his balance.”
The discussion turned to the superstar’s rigorous concert preparation. Wang detailed the stringent diet he adheres to in the two weeks leading up to a show: exclusively chicken breast and four egg whites per meal, with carbohydrates limited to plain white rice. He emphasized that maintaining such discipline requires intense self-motivation. “You have to tell yourself this is toxic and essentially brainwash yourself,” he noted. His father praised his son’s exceptionally strong self-control, particularly given parental instincts to encourage more generous eating.
Beyond the hot-blooded stage performances, Wang shared moments of vulnerability. He revealed his emotional side while performing Sophie Ricky, a song he co-wrote for and about his parents, admitting to shedding tears. During a year-long hiatus from his professional life, Wang deliberately focused on strengthening his bond with his parents, realizing the importance of cherishing their time together. He reflected on how adult children often assume their parents will “always be there,” tragically delaying interactions until it is “too late.”
His father described hearing Sophie Ricky as an intensely emotional experience, evoking feelings of both excitement and gratitude. Wang’s mother was especially moved, recounting how her son often shares philosophical, almost somber thoughts far beyond his years. “He might say, ‘One day I might send a message and get no reply.’ Not many people in their 40s or 50s think like that,” she confessed, expressing simultaneous pride and heartache over his early realization of life’s fragility.
The interview also unearthed amusing stories from Wang’s past, including his high school days, where longtime friend and “Best” partner, Henry, made a surprise appearance. Henry recalled Wang’s dedication to his appearance, particularly his signature fringe hairstyle. Ironically, Wang, an athlete, jokingly admitted that in high school, he seemed to attract more male friends than female, leading to a quick clarification that his popularity was based on sports fraternity and camaraderie, not romance.
Wang then lightened the mood by discussing his early, all-consuming approach to romance. He confessed that during his youth, his lack of disposable income meant he spent “all his emotion” on dating. He detailed how dates drained his sparse funds—paying double price for movies, meals, taxis, and trains. Henry chimed in with an anecdote revealing the depth of Wang’s youthful infatuation, which extended to changing his email address to the girl’s name followed by “Lover,” a move Henry described as “declaring ownership.”
The candid interview underscored the duality of Jackson Wang: a disciplined, hard-working global star who remains deeply grounded in his family values and continues to navigate the complex intersection of fame and personal life. His willingness to share his emotional journey provides fans a rare, authentic look behind the curtain of modern pop stardom.