Etta Ng: Standing strong despite her legacy

Young as Etta Ng is, the LGBT community stands proudly with her when she recently came out in a flurry of mainstream and social media conversation.

This is because despite having to live under the legacy of being Hong Kong movie icon Jackie Chan’s estranged daughter, 18-year old Etta has stayed out of the spotlight for most of her life despite being constantly in it.

Etta Ng: Under the shadow

Born in 1999, Etta is the daughter of Jackie Chan, who had an extra-marital affair with her mother, Elaine Ng, an actress and a Miss Asia Beauty Queen.

Chan, who also has a son with his wife and former actress Lin Feng-jiao, said of the affair that he: “only committed a fault that many men in the world commit.”

Though Etta was born after their affair ended, she still lives under this legacy with the media calling her “Little Dragon Girl” when she was born.

For most of her life, she and her mother lived private lives in Hong Kong separate from the action movie star’s own life.

Commenting on her estrangement from her father in 2015, Etta said: “He is my biological father but he is not in my life. He never existed in my life. I will never regard him as a father.”

“I am not angry with my father, and have never wished to see him. As long as I have my mother with me, I don’t need my father,” she said.

Etta Ng: Fierce as a dragon

Etta came out as a lesbian via a photo of herself in Instagram in front of a rainbow flag. The caption read: “In case no one got the memo, I’m gay.” This was followed by the hashtags: “#lgbtqai #lgbt #lesbian #androgynous.”

Likewise, she revealed that she was in a relationship with social media influencer Andi Autumn from Canada but who is currently based in Hong Kong.

While mainstream media was a-buzz with her coming out, social media was more heartfelt with their greetings.

Online commentators in China stated: “Happiness is all that matters!” and “Support the ability and freedom to love.”

Etta responded via Instagram: “I am in awe at the amount of support and love poured my way. I am speechless at how followers went to my Girlfriend @andiautumn and my account to show us both so much positivity.”

“I’ve grown up in a world of negativity and close mindedness but I am at that point where I realise that I can use my experience to tell my truths and help others just like me,” she said.

As of present, her father has not commented on the issue.