Singer Maria Cordero recalls gunpoint incident with Hong Kong actor Simon Yam in Indonesia

Citing Hong Kong news portal HK01, The Star reported that Cordero recounted the event, which took place more than 10 years ago, during a beauty ambassador signing ceremony in Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong, when asked by the media if she had ever faced danger while traveling.

According to Cordero, the trouble began when Yam, as part of their performance, offered a flower to a woman in the audience. This seemingly innocent gesture enraged a man sitting beside the woman who received the flower.

The man then pulled out a gun and pointed it at Simon, Cordero recalled. He also demanded Yam drink an entire bottle of brandy. Cordero subsequently stepped in to defuse the situation.

“I immediately jumped in and told him I’d drink it instead,” she said. “I’ve never lost when it comes to drinking!”

Although her intervention temporarily calmed the man, it also put her at risk as he insisted on drinking with her. Not wanting to escalate matters, Cordero agreed but made a strategic request: “Let me finish performing first, and then we’ll drink together – no leaving until we’re drunk!”

After finishing her song, Cordero and Yam seized the opportunity to escape.

Hong Kong singer Maria Cordero. Photo from Cordero’s Instagram

“We left right after the performance,” Cordero said. “Simon even asked if we should go and explain ourselves to the man. I told him, ‘Are you crazy? That guy was already drunk. Let’s just leave.’”

Cordero admitted it was one of the most dangerous moments in her career. She also compared the incident to recent cases of missing Chinese celebrities–actor Wang Xing and model Yang Zeqi–in Thailand, and revealed she had warned her family to avoid traveling to the country.

The singer also emphasized the importance of vigilance, particularly regarding scams and payment risks.

“When I performed in remote areas of mainland China a long time ago, promoters would ask me to perform first and promise payment afterward,” she said. “But I always insisted on getting paid in full before stepping on stage.”

Recalling another experience in Indonesia, Cordero revealed how she ensured she received her full payment.

“I was paid half of my fee upfront, but when I arrived, I insisted on receiving the balance before performing. Finally, I got the full amount right before the show started.”

Cordero, 71, is a singer, actress, TV host, and DJ who launched her singing career in 1985 after word of her talent spread from a newly opened disco.

Yam, 70, has achieved international recognition for his performances in critically acclaimed films and box office hits, including “Naked Killer,” “SPL: Sha Po Lang,” “Election,” “Election 2,” “Exiled,” “Lara Croft: Tomb Raider – The Cradle of Life,” and “The Thieves.”