Picture not from this article The economy is bad causing products, recording companies and television companies to cut back on their promotion budgets but amidst cutting back on different items, artists' hair and makeup expenses cannot be cut. Recently GTV's "Superstar Express" has planned to hold its premiere in Malaysia - a three-day schedule. Jiro Wang and Rainie Yang's hair and makeup will cost up to $250,000 causing GTV to be left speechless; while during SETTV's "Bullfighting"'s previous overseas promotions, Mike He, Lee Wei and Hebe's hair and makeup also reached $300,000. Moreover, many people even changed their overseas schedules to suit Hebe's appointed hair and makeup artist's time. Speaking of hair and makeup costs, most TV companies say they have no choice. This is because the chemistry and promotion results wanted can only be achieved if artists come on stage satisfied. Also, artists unwilling to compromise may have other reasons but to do their best, of course their hair and makeup must be perfect. From what we understand about the price of A-grade hair and makeup artists, the cost of one day overseas starts from $25,000. This includes Jay Chou's personal makeup artist Ah Du, Fahrenheit's makeup artist Wang Wei Xiang, Chen Ze Shan's favorite Yao Chun Mei, Jolin Tsai's hair stylists Dick, Elvis, Vivian Hsu's Betty and S.H.E's Jasmine, etc. Television companies feel that what they have even less choice about is that cast members originally have allocated hair/makeup artist but most idols insist on having their personal stylist. Furthermore, the way costs are calculated is by the number of days spent overseas, regardless of how many days the stylist works. Yesterday GTV said, in the past they invited Korean star Song Hye Kyo but even though it was for 3-4 days, the most expensive hair and makeup added up to only $US2000; Taiwan hair and makeup costs are just too expensive. Television companies believe that recording companies have allowed singers to develop bad habits but many recording companies disagreed, pointing out that management companies are responsible for filming and television company arrangements. In this situation, those that are willing to use stylists appointed by the television company such as Lee Wei, are seen as very nice while those such as Ethan Ruan who is happy with inviting just one, can be considered co-operative. In regards to the Malaysian "Superstar Express" event, after negotiation Rainie Yang and Jiro Wang both agreed to use the same group of stylists. Yesterday Rainie's agent expressed, they are only responsible for giving the television company a list of stylists' names and are not involved in negotiating prices. During this recession, hope everyone can relate to this difficult time. Source: UDN Translated by catalie @ http://asianfanatics.net
