HONG KONG – Acclaimed Hong Kong actor Simon Yam (任達華), a fixture of Asian cinema, took an unexpected tumble while posing at a high-profile fashion event last night, quickly recovering with trademark wit and agility. The 70-year-old star used the moment to showcase his enduring fitness and penchant for humor, claiming the sudden movement was simply part of the fashion aesthetic.

The incident occurred at the brand launch event held on Thursday, where Yam was accompanied by his model wife, Qi Qi (琦琦), and other celebrities, including Kathy Chow (周汶錡) and Pat Ha (夏文汐). While posing for photographers, a stylishly dressed Yam momentarily stumbled, sending his spectacles flying. Both his wife and actress Pat Ha, who was mid-interview nearby, appeared briefly startled. However, thanks to a lifelong devotion to exercise, Yam executed a swift roll and was back on his feet within seconds, seemingly unharmed.

A Stylish Explanation for a Stumble

When asked about the quick recovery, Yam, ever the showman, chuckled and attributed the momentary mishap to demonstrating the dynamic flow of the designer garment.

“If I didn’t do that, how would the clothes flutter so nicely?” he quipped, jokingly asserting that the fall proved he was still “OK fit.” He successfully transformed what could have been an embarrassing pause into lighthearted entertainment, underscoring his reputation for charisma and professionalism.

The conversation naturally shifted to his daughter, Ella Yam (任晴佳), who is rapidly making a name for herself as a model. Yam expressed complete faith in his daughter’s judgment and autonomy. He stated that he and his wife give Ella the space to develop her career freely, trusting her to make appropriate choices regarding what she wears, including potentially revealing attire.

“She knows what she should or shouldn’t do,” Yam noted, highlighting the support he and Qi Qi offer. He particularly praised a custom, open-back gown his daughter designed and wore to a wedding in Italy, calling the piece “beautiful and absolutely perfect.” He attributed her ability to pull off such designs to her dedication to sports, which has resulted in impressive back musculature.

Preparing for New Artistic and Cinematic Ventures

Beyond the catwalk, Yam revealed he is channeling his creativity into different artistic pursuits. He announced plans to host a long-anticipated photography exhibition next month, focused on the iconic Hong Kong habourscape.

The veteran actor also detailed the upcoming release of his new film, Inside Job (內幕), a project which took nearly three years to complete. Reflecting on the filming process, Yam shared a harrowing experience involving a hanging scene, which he described as dangerously realistic.

“Even one second felt too long,” Yam recalled about the physically demanding shoot. “I had to rest for 20 minutes afterwards. Luckily, the director knew when to call ‘Cut.’” He humorously added that he dared not tell his wife about the scene and suggested he would likely avoid such perilous stunts in the future, citing the inherent danger.

Former Model Reflects on Industry Challenges

Also present at the event was former supermodel Kathy Chow, who momentarily reminisced about the rigorous demands of her modeling career. She described enduring the extreme weather conditions of fashion shows—freezing in thin outfits during the winter and overheating in heavy attire throughout the summer—but ultimately concluding that the experience was deeply enjoyable.

Looking ahead to the upcoming festive season, Chow shared plans for a family skiing trip to Japan with her two sons, aged 8 and 10. She humorously dismissed concerns about wildlife encounters during the cold season, speculating that bears would be in hibernation due to the frigid temperatures.

Chow acknowledged that her sons are growing up quickly and will soon develop independent social lives, leading to fewer family outings. Facing the inevitable change, she voiced a philosophy of acceptance for all parents dealing with children’s burgeoning independence. “You can’t cling to them. You have to let go,” she concluded. “Even though it’s hard, you accept it. It’s okay, as long as they are obedient.”

A public clarification has emerged regarding recent speculation surrounding the business affairs of entertainer Yumi. Her partner, prominent figure Joseph Lam, held a press conference yesterday, February 22nd, addressing rumors that Yumi was splitting from a professional association with influencer Chung Sui Sum, also known as “Five Suo,” suggesting Yumi was starting a rival venture. Lam adamantly denied the partnership claims, emphasizing that Yumi was never an investor in Chung’s beauty company and that their relationship was solely rooted in personal goodwill and friendship, not a formal business collaboration.

Lam stated that Yumi’s involvement was purely supportive, outlining extensive, uncompensated efforts to help Chung launch her business. While Yumi introduced the enterprise to many of the brands it now distributes, Lam asserted that Yumi received no sales commission or financial benefit from these introductions.

Generous Support Eclipsed by Rumors

The press conference detailed the depth of Yumi’s assistance, which included significant financial and logistical aid. Lam revealed that Yumi initially provided over 100,000 Hong Kong dollars in a personal loan to help fund the company’s startup phase—a move he argued was inconsistent with any intention of immediately establishing a competing business.

“If she intended to start her own rival company, why would she provide capital assistance?” Lam questioned rhetorically, stressing that Yumi’s motivations were altruistic, focused on aiding a friend rather than profiting or pursuing wealth.

Furthermore, Yumi undertook numerous tasks essential to the company’s early success, often on a pro bono or heavily discounted basis. Lam highlighted that she designed the company’s logo, website, and product photography. She also filmed promotional content for a fee significantly below market rates and even declined her own professional engagements to dedicate time to ensuring Chung’s company was successfully launched before stepping back from the operational involvement.

Yumi Emphasizes Financial Independence and Self-Reliance

Although Yumi did not appear at the press briefing, she later took to social media to comment on the matter, offering a broader perspective on women’s financial independence and resilience.

In a candid post, she stressed the critical importance of a woman securing her own career and financial stability. “I have always said, money belonging to the person next to you is not your money, and how it is freely distributed is not within your control; everything is superficial glamour,” she wrote.

Yumi passionately asserted that self-sufficiency is the ultimate path to respect and empowerment. She warned against complete financial dependency on a partner, suggesting that it can lead to marginalization where a woman might be dismissed with comments like, “I provide you with a house and food—what more do you want?”

She acknowledged her deep personal disappointment over the subsequent fallout and public accusations from someone she had genuinely invested time and effort in helping. “To have someone I once sincerely connected with eventually bring people out to confuse right and wrong, that is truly disheartening,” she expressed.

Concluding her statement, Yumi reiterated her desire to move forward, urging those involved to cease engaging in “petty maneuvers” and instead focus on their own earnest work. “I will continue to offer my best wishes,” she affirmed.

The extensive effort and capital Yumi reportedly invested underscore a growing theme in the digital economy: the blurry line between personal support, professional collaboration, and intellectual contributions—especially as celebrity influence becomes a major driver of new businesses. The public clarification aims to settle the confusion and reframe Yumi’s initial actions as genuine friendship rather than a fraught partnership attempting to dissolve.