Global music sensation Jackson Wang offered a rare, unfiltered look into the rigors and realities of celebrity life, candidly discussing everything from cosmetic procedures to navigating personal difficulties, during a recent interview broadcast on Hong Kong television.
In the second installment of TVB’s variety show, Jacqueline Meets, the Hong Kong-born artist spoke openly with host Jacqueline Wong, confirming that aesthetic enhancements are simply part of his professional toolkit, a necessary aspect of maintaining his public image.
Aesthetic Procedures Are ‘Part of the Job’
Wang, known for his directness and charismatic energy, acknowledged undergoing cosmetic work, notably treatments like face bone alignment (often termed genggu or chiropratic procedures in a non-medical context in Asia), which aim to refine facial symmetry. He emphasized that discussing these treatments should not be taboo, stating that while many celebrities opt for them privately, he prefers transparency.
“Being an artist genuinely requires aesthetic maintenance, others simply don’t disclose it—I am,” the Team Wang founder explained, adding that he began utilizing bone alignment procedures after turning 30. He defended these practices, asserting that for entertainers, aesthetic work is simply “part of the job.”
Wang drew parallels between the demands placed on him and the requirements of any profession, noting that every line of work carries its own struggles. He cited an example: if he failed to manage his physique or dance skills, he would cease to resemble the high-calibre performer his fans expect.
Navigating Fame and Privacy
Despite his global recognition, Wang offered a surprisingly grounded perspective on the common perception that celebrities constantly lack privacy. When asked if stepping out in public was “troublesome,” the 30-year-old artist dismissed the notion, claiming that in common settings, he often goes unnoticed.
“Honestly speaking, nobody cares,” Wang asserted playfully, suggesting that a simple, unguarded appearance rarely garners immediate attention. He quipped that even during routine activities like renewing his identification card in Hong Kong, he is typically only recognized by one or two people, challenging the idea of his constant high visibility.
The conversation also touched on the occasional intensity of fan interactions. Recalling an incident during the encore performance of his Bangkok world tour stop where a male fan attempted to kiss him onstage, Wang categorized the behavior as “not yet insane.” He then playfully articulated his only firm boundary for onstage behavior: the removal of outer garments is acceptable, but removing underwear crosses the line—a standard he humorously noted he might even re-evaluate in the future.
Furthermore, the singer confirmed his comfort with group showers, a practice stemming from his background as a former competitive athlete in Shanghai and South Korea, where communal washing facilities were standard.
Battling Personal Lows
Wang, a polyglot proficient in Cantonese, Mandarin, English, and Korean, also detailed the struggles of his low points. He admitted that despite his multilingual abilities, he doesn’t feel he has “mastered” any single language. He even confessed to being impacted by negative criticism regarding his Cantonese pronunciation and diction in songs, which eroded his confidence.
The artist offered a sobering recollection of enduring a prior mental trough, revealing he occasionally turned to alcohol as a form of self-medication. He described episodes of excessive drinking that led him to drift aimlessly. Wang said he was initially skeptical of escaping difficulties through intoxication but eventually found himself in a situation where logic failed.
“I sometimes became so disorganized I didn’t know how I got through it,” he admitted. “I would drink until I fell asleep on the street. I never believed I would use alcohol as a path to evasion because I always thought, what use is numbing yourself?”
Wang’s willingness to discuss both the superficial and deeply private aspects of his life underscores the relentless pressure entertainers face, highlighting the need for vigilance over both physical image and mental health within the cutthroat global entertainment industry.
