Hong Kong – Actress Isabella Leong made a rare public appearance Wednesday at a medical aesthetics center event in Hong Kong, where she debuted a promotional film shot on location in France. The 36-year-old actress, who has largely stepped back from the spotlight in recent years, described the overseas shoot as a working vacation despite soaring temperatures.
“It was a very pleasant trip,” Leong said of the France shoot, where temperatures reached 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). “I went with a vacation mindset, so the filming process felt quite comfortable. But because I had many things to attend to afterward, I flew somewhere else immediately after wrapping—I couldn’t stay longer.”
Leong, who is mother to three sons aged 16 and 17, revealed she now frequently shuttles between Hong Kong and Beijing to manage both her career and family life. She recently carved out time to spend the summer holiday with her boys, who she says are becoming increasingly independent.
“They’ve become big friends now,” she said with a smile. “Sometimes when I go to work, they’ll come along as my little assistants. If they don’t feel like it, they just make plans with their own friends.” Leong added that her sons arrange their own tutoring when needed, giving her more freedom. When asked about their romantic lives, she said, “They share secrets with me. They tell me they don’t have girlfriends, but I’m not sure if that’s true.”
The actress described her sons as active and athletic, each with different sporting preferences. “They like skiing, basketball, and soccer, but they’re not interested in tennis, which I love. So I just watch tennis matches on my own and practice with my coach,” she said. As for their future career paths, Leong noted they have shown little interest in entertainment or business management. “They’re still figuring out their goals. At their age, they should just enjoy campus life.”
On the professional front, Leong has two completed films awaiting release: the mystery thriller Paper Box, co-starring Hong Kong actor Edan Lui, mainland actor Zhang Songwen, and柯炜林 (Ke Weilin), and Rebirth 2, directed by her longtime partner, filmmaker Ma Yu Ke. Zhang recently won the Golden Goblet Award for Best Actor at the Shanghai International Film Festival for his role in Paper Box, a feat Leong praised.
“I haven’t seen the final cut yet, but I’m really looking forward to it. I hope both films come out this year,” she said. Asked whether working with her boyfriend on Rebirth 2 led to creative disagreements, she answered simply, “No, we had a great time collaborating.”
Leong also addressed comments from co-stars Lui and Ke, who previously said they were “deeply attracted” to her during filming. “I didn’t notice them staring at me with twinkling eyes,” she laughed. “They’re both very eager to learn, down-to-earth, and friendly. We didn’t have many scenes together—often when I started work, they were finishing. Our interactions were just greetings and casual chats. But collaborating with different actors is always a good thing.”
Broader Implications: Leong’s candid remarks offer a rare glimpse into the life of a former A-lister who stepped away from Hollywood and Hong Kong stardom to focus on family. As her sons grow older and her career gradually resumes, she is navigating a new chapter—one that balances motherhood with selective professional projects. Industry observers note that her return to acting, particularly in high-profile collaborations, signals a measured but meaningful comeback.
