But it didn’t come cheap. According to 8 Days, the minimalist mansion cost a whopping US$6.1 million.
Kayla, 30, reportedly moved to the US after tying the knot with her photographer wife Elaine Chen-Fernandez last year.
Despite being born into fame and fortune, and marrying a property heiress, Kayla isn’t your typical celebrity kid. Beyond her family background, she has cultivated a reputation as one of Hong Kong’s leading LGBTQ+ activists and purpose-driven entrepreneurs.Inside the luxury life of G.E.M., Hong Kong’s beloved pop diva
Here’s what we know about the young creative.
Kayla Wong is the daughter of a Hong Kong supermodel and acting legend
First thing’s first – Kayla Wong is bona fide celebrity royalty after all.
The daughter of supermodel Janet Ma and acclaimed actor Michael Wong, Kayla was born in Hong Kong and has two siblings, Irisa Shannon and Kadin Miles.
Her dad Michael, aka Wong Man-tak, is best known for starring in hits like Legacy of Rage, Beast Cops, Ip Man: Kung Fu Master and A Guilty Conscience, while her mum Ma is a famous model from the 80s.
She’s a photographer
Wong definitely has creativity in her genes. The self-taught photographer launched Casa of Love to put the spotlight on LGBTQ+ relationships. She featured intimate portraits of female couples in bed for the project, and also used it as a storytelling platform to highlight local artists and designers. It’s unclear whether she still runs it though, as the page has since been deleted.
In a 2020 interview with Hong Kong media, Wong said she prefers taking photos of people over everything else and likes to play with light and shadow.
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She founded her own slow fashion brand, Basics for Basics
Wong cut her teeth in fashion, interning with prestigious names like Christian Dior and Lane Crawford before launching her own brand, Basics for Basics. Founded in 2015, the slow fashion label focuses on elevated casual wear with a sustainable approach.
She told Hong Kong media that after graduating from fashion school, she realised she had no interest in acting and wasn’t tall enough to be a model, so she started her clothing venture instead.
“[Basics for Basics is] aligned with my own values, which are to promote equal and fair treatment to all,” she said. According to the brand’s official Instagram page, it’s “currently taking a break”, while Wong’s bio states that the entrepreneur is “currently brewing something new”, so it seems like she’s got another project in the pipeline. Stay tuned!
She married the love of her life, Elaine Chen-Fernandez, in the US
Last September, Wong married her then-girlfriend Chen-Fernandez at an outdoor camp at Joshua Tree, a park in California, according to 8 Days. Wong opted for a summery white gown with trainers, while Chen-Fernandez rocked a cream suit with a fedora hat.
Fernandez-Chen is the granddaughter of property giant Hang Lung Group’s co-founder Thomas Chen and the founder of The Wild Lot, an experimental space in Sheung Wan, Hong Kong.
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According to Dirt, the billionaire heiress and her new wife seriously splashed out on their 7,800 sq ft home in LA in May. The roomy abode is complete with a spacious backyard, built-in barbecue with a pizza oven, walk-in wardrobe, saltwater pool, spa and more. According to 8 Days, the newlyweds moved to the US via private jet with their dogs at the end of the pandemic.
She’s an LGBT activist
As the child of a celebrity couple in Hong Kong, Wong has used her voice for good, promoting everything LGBTQ+ from representation to ethical fashion.
During Pride Month last year, Wong helped support The Wild Lot’s Ride or Pride event which was described as a “one-of-a-kind, rainbow unicorn-biker-themed block party”. Her brand Basics for Basics also previously released a collection with 10 per cent of all sales going to a local LGBTQ+ organisation, per The Mil Source. Wong is also very open about her sexuality these days and is willing to speak up for LGBTQ+ causes in interviews.
She hopes to be an inspiration and guiding light in a region known for its conservatism. “There’s such a lack of representation in Asia, and that’s why people are still in the closet and why they feel uncomfortable around their families,” she told Hong Kong media. “I have young girls coming to me with questions about coming out, and those moments are why I do what I do.”
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She’s close to her family
Kayla is close to both her mum and dad. She regularly shares photos with both of them and credits them for her success.
While her parents remain based in Hong Kong, Kayla is starting her new life in California – and we can’t wait to see what she launches next.
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