Cecilia Cheung’s Ex-Manager Suing Her for S$2.2mil, Claims He Rebuilt Her Image After Divorce & Photo Scandal

The hearing for the lawsuit between actress Cecilia Cheung and former agency Asia Entertainment Group (AEG) Limited and ex-manager Yu Yuk Hing began in Hong Kong’s High Court yesterday (Dec 3).

The case, filed in 2020, alleges that Cecilia received an advance payment of HK$41.76 million (S$6.94mil) to star in four films, but failed to fulfill her contractual obligations and breached her management agreement.

As a result, Yuk Hing and AEG are seeking HK$12.76mil (S$2.2mil) in compensation for losses and damages.

On the first day of the hearing, Yuk Hing took the stand and revealed new details about their working relationship and the circumstances leading up to the disputed agreements.

According to his testimony, Cecilia sought his advice in 2011 as her public reputation had taken a hit following her divorce with Nicholas Tse and the Edison Chen sex photo scandal.

Yuk Hing suggested she rebuild her image by presenting herself as a “good mother” and a “strong woman,” and later establish her own work studio. At the time, she had two sons, Lucas and Quintus, then four and one, with ex-husband Nicholas. She gave birth to youngest son Marcus in 2018.

Cecilia reportedly agreed with the strategy and on July 7 the same year, asked Yuk Hing to become her manager and help her secure HK$40mil (S$6.65mil) for a property purchase.

As Yuk Hing’s funds were tied up in China at the time, he approached Bona Film Group chairman Yu Dong, who requested that Cecilia sign agreements for two films as a form of guarantee before releasing the funds.

During the hearing, the judge questioned whether Cecilia’s commitment to signing the management contract was linked to the HK$40mil (S$6.65mil) agreement.

Yuk Hing insisted the two were unrelated, claiming Cecilia had already appointed him as her manager before any financial discussions took place.

He also stated he clearly informed her that Yu Dong was uncertain about providing the HK$40mil, but Cecilia nonetheless assured him she would sign the management agreement.

According to the lawsuit, the two parties signed an eight-year global exclusive management contract in July 2011.

Yuk Hing first paid Cecilia HK$40mil as film fees and she would star in four designated movies from 2011 to 2019.

In May 2012, they signed another agreement requiring Cecilia to film two additional films, for which Yuk Hing advanced her another HK$2.76mil (S$460K).

However, AEG and Yuk Hing claim Cecilia did not complete these film projects and breached the management contract, resulting in financial losses.

They are seeking at least HK$12.76mil (S$2.2mil) in compensation, and have requested full disclosure of Cecilia’s income records from May 2015 to July 2019.

The case remains ongoing.