Actress Michelle Yeoh pays tribute to the late Disney musician CoCo Lee, recalling her as a “brilliant star” with a “beautiful voice”.
On Wednesday, Lee’s sister confirmed in a Facebook post that the “Mulan” singer had died at the age of 48 after attempting suicide.
“I’m deeply saddened that we have now lost a brilliant star,” Yeoh wrote on Instagram post, sharing a carousel of photos taken of her and Lee over the years.
“Coco was the first Chinese woman to perform at the Oscars, and her song A love before time from Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon was nominated for Best Original Song… we were very proud and at all times can be,” the post continues. “You and your beautiful voice can be missed. RIP my dear… Heartfelt condolences to Coco’s family and all who love you… 🙏🏻”
Lee was a Hong Kong-born singer-songwriter whose breakthrough role got here in 1998 when she sang the Mandarin version of the song “Reflection” from the Disney classic “Mulan”.
![She remembered Lee as](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013812362.jpg?w=706)
She also voiced Mulan in the Chinese version of the film.
Her sisters wrote an emotional letter Facebook post to the star on Wednesday, explaining that she attempted suicide at her home on Saturday, July 2.
Lee was then rushed to the hospital where she fell right into a coma and later died.
“CoCo has suffered from depression for several years, but her condition has worsened drastically over the past few months,” the post reads.
![Michelle Yeoh noted the star's great achievements in the caption.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000011522439.jpg?w=683)
![Lee was married to Bruce Rockowitz.](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013623446.jpg?w=714)
“Although CoCo sought skilled help and did what she could to fight her depression, unfortunately, the demon inside her won out.”
Throughout her prolific profession, Lee was the first person of Chinese descent to perform at the 2001 Academy Awards. according to NPR, singing the song “A Love Before Time”.
The ballad was from the Ang Lee film Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. won 4 Oscars in various categories that yr, including “Best Foreign Language Film”.
She has recorded 18 studio albums, including “Just No Other Way” in 1999.
Lee was also the first Chanel brand ambassador of Chinese descent in the Asian region.
“I’ve at all times said I would like to make music so long as no one wants to hear me sing,” Lee said during a concert CCTV interview posted on YouTube in 2013.
“I just love music, I feel like music, there are such a lot of more things I would like to express and so many differing types of music I would like to express,” she said.
![](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013812441.jpg?w=392)
![Lee was the voice](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/07/NYPICHPDPICT000013623710-1.jpg?w=1024)
Over the past few years, she has been a judge on various competition and reality shows, reminiscent of the 2015 version of Dancing with the Stars in China. Guardian.
In 2011, she married Canadian businessman Bruce Rockowitz.
Lee was survived by Rockowitz in addition to her two stepdaughters, her sisters and mother.