ON CENTER STAGE: Aventurina King hosts a show produced by Beijing Television Station on January 11, along with a Chinese partner (YANG GUANG)

Staying to shine

If Gaudfroy is undergoing a seven-year itch, Aventurina King is still in her honeymoon period.

Despite a dual U.S.-France citizenship, King, as she wrote in a song, has been wandering for years, homeless, until China found her.

King intended the song, China Dream, as a salute to the great changes that have taken place in her life since she arrived, and to remind herself why she first came, the dream of being a singer.

King started her career in China in an unexpected manner. Having hosted parties, contests and TV shows, she established herself as an emcee in preparation for a singing career.

"People get to know me, which will bring me greater opportunities to sing. I have also learned a lot on stage about how to communicate with the audience, how to make them happy and what kind of performance appeals," she said.

King is already on the way, taking a variety of lessons in piano, guitar, singing and dancing and even singing Chinese folk songs on occasion.

"I want to add foreign elements to Chinese songs. I cannot beat Chinese singers at their own game, but I can reinterpret them my own way," she said.

King says she thinks the guitar is appropriate in integrating foreign elements into Chinese songs.

"I am looking forward to the day when I can sing while playing the guitar on the stage," said King.

The folk song is not the only reason King loves China. She is enchanted by traditional Chinese medicine, especially acupuncture and fondness of various regional cuisines.

King is upset when people fail to recognize her out of other foreigners living in China. "I am not yet famous enough. There is still a long way to go," she said.