‘No sleep for two days,’ Cecilia Cheung tells court as contract dispute intensifies

Hong Kong actress Cecilia Cheung Pak-chi told the High Court on Monday (Dec 8) she went without sleep for two days reviewing documents related to a breach-of-contract lawsuit filed by her former manager, describing the process as “suffering.” She added that media presence in court added pressure, as “a few sentences” could quickly become uncontrollable news reports.

Cheung made the remarks while being cross-examined by counsel for plaintiffs Yu Yuk-hing and AEG Entertainment Group. She complained that some questions suggesting answers that might benefit her were “unfair,” stressing she was testifying under oath.

The court heard that Cheung signed an agreement in July 2011 while filming The Lion Roars 2, reportedly securing a HK$40 million advance. She admitted she did not check whether AEG Entertainment Group had countersigned the document, relying instead on her assistant’s instructions.

Discrepancies were also noted between two statutory declarations Cheung made in 2015 regarding whether she signed an exclusive management contract with Yu or his brother. Cheung said the inconsistencies arose from confusion over the other party.

Further disputes emerged over a 2012 cooperation agreement for Cheung’s studio, with each side presenting different versions. Cheung maintained she only recognised AEG Entertainment Group as her manager and accused the plaintiffs of altering documents.

Yu claims he advanced HK$42.76 million to Cheung for six films under agreements signed in 2011 and 2012. The defense counters that the management contract was forged and that Cheung’s signature was falsified.

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