走进中国版的'苏珊大妈'

2009年4月11日，在英国著名的选秀节目《英国达人》中,平民大妈苏珊演唱《我曾有梦》一举成名，评委和在场观众被浑厚而富有磁性的天籁之音所震撼,这一幕,成为2009年4月中旬全球网络点击量最高的视频。在央视《星光大道》2009年总决赛的舞台上，也有这样一位“苏珊大妈”，她就是念过六旬的黑妮。这位开朗热情的老人是该栏目五年来年龄最大的选手，风情万种的夏威夷草裙舞、高难度的海豚音……感染了全国无数观众，“黑妮”这个名字一炮走红，被称为“中国版苏珊大妈”、“海豚音奶奶”。今天让我们走近黑妮，共同感受她生活中的酸甜苦辣……

On the stage, the Hula dancer's bouncy and passionate moves push the atmosphere into a new high.

The dancer's name is Hei Ni, a 60-year-old Beijinger.

The Hula dance is not her only specialty.

During a spring festival TV gala, Hei Ni was invited to perform her dolphin vocal sounds.

Her high-pitched voice conquered audiences, including the world-recognized singer Vitas.

Hei Ni says she was very excited and lucky to perform in front of the world-renowned performer. .

"I was just standing in front of the Chinese singer Li Yugang and Vitas, who were crowded with their fans. After I finished singing, I took a bow and didn't notice anything. And later I was told that Vitas was standing up after my performance and gave me a thumbs-up to praise my singing. It's like a dream."

"Actually there was another singer who can perform the dolphin vocal sounds and I think he is better than me. But why they chose me to perform in front of Vitas? I think the reason is that I am an elderly person. And my performance can give the audience a strong impact with the visual contraction between me and Vitas. I never expected old age to become an advantage."

Neither did Hei Ni, nor did all her friends and relatives imagine she would become famous in her 60's.

And to our surprise, Hei Ni tells us she used to be a nationally famous singer when she was in her 40's.

Hei Ni was a successful mezzo-soprano in a Beijing-based art troupe in the 1980's. She used to perform for many state leaders and had a bright future as a singer.

However in the late 1980's, with the widespread popularity of pop songs, Hei Ni's singing career was challenged.

"For example when you are singing on the stage, audiences would shout, get off, we don't want to hear this!!"

As her career took a downturn, Hei Ni also broke up with her husband. Out of frustration she went to Japan with her daughter, and made a living there through hard work.

In 2007, Hei Ni returned to Beijing. She lives alone, where she feeds a myna and some fish. Besides doing voluntary work for her residential community, she likes playing with her bird and sometimes drawing Chinese elaborate-style paintings, while living a leisurely and easy elderly life.

However things changed drastically after she met with Sha Guang, a music producer who is also in her 60's.
The two became close friends with their passion for life and music. Hearing that Hei Ni hadn't been singing for over 20 years, Sha Guang felt regret over her situation. She encouraged her to start singing again, and surprisingly found that Hei Ni can perform the dolphin vocal sound amazingly.

"Sometimes when she is extremely happy, she would shock me with her high-pitched voice."

With Sha Guang's support and professional instruction, Hei Ni started to challenge the difficult dolphin vocal sound, with persistent effort and hard work.

"Even when I was in the hospital, I took my recorder with me and kept practicing. I always play these songs in my car and sing along with them, just to not waste any time."

With Sha Guang's recommendation, Hei Ni was on the stage of a talent show at CCTV, the national TV station.

Her passionate performance and skillful singing won audiences over throughout the nation, who nicknamed her the "Susan Boyle of China."

While becoming widely known, Hei Ni has often been invited to give performances. However few people know that she is suffering from severe arthritis.

"You see my leg? The entire knee is swollen. It's hard for me to stand up after sitting down. It hurts, like the two bones are growing against each other."

Regardless Hei Ni still cherishes every invitation she receives, because she feels lucky to have her singing career rejuvenated while in her 60's.

"When I was young, I failed to realize my dream, but now that I am old, I have surprisingly been given the chance to sing again. It is miraculous. I don't care if it's fate or anything, I just want to cherish the opportunity and express myself."

Hei Ni's persistence has influenced others. Living in Japan, Hei Ni's daughter always cares about her mother, while being touched with her energetic and colorful life.

"My mother learned how to drive in her 50s, while all of us were against her choice. However she insisted and successfully passed the exam. She always does things that seem beyond her age limit, but she can do them well. Seeing her, you can feel there is nothing impossible in life."

For CRI, this is Damin.